Financial assessment of integrating anaerobic digestion with cattle farming for biomethane production – Implications for farm economics and the supply chain

Tisocco, Sofia, Lenehan, James J., Zhan, Xinmin, & Crosson, Paul. (2025). Financial assessment of integrating anaerobic digestion with cattle farming for biomethane production – Implications for farm economics and the supply chain. Biomass and Bioenergy, 195, 107702. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.107702

Abstract

Integrating anaerobic digestion (AD) into agriculture can support carbon neutrality and circular bioeconomy. However, economic benefits for stakeholders are crucial for implementing full-scale AD. This study assessed the financial implications of producing grass silage for AD on beef farms. It also assessed the financial viability of full-scale AD plants co-digesting grass silage and cattle slurry for biomethane, focusing on competitive grass silage pricing and support schemes. Results indicate that a grass silage price of €245/t dry matter (DM) is needed for competitiveness with beef production; this requires a biomethane certificate price of €0.12/kWh for the AD plant. At current prices (€0.098/kWh), the AD plant could afford €164/t DM for silage, requiring farm subsidies of €893/ha to cover price gaps. Methane yield of AD silage, along with biomethane certificate and silage prices, are key variables affecting the 20-year net present value of the AD plant. This study underscores the government's critical role in fostering a low-carbon livestock sector.

Funder

Teagasc Walsh Scholarship

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

Attribution 4.0 International

cb

Collections

Civil Engineering (Scholarly Articles)