Economic Feasibility Study of Colorado Anaerobic Digester Projects ...

CCI was the subject of a GEO-funded pilot plant design for a multiple-stage AD project to
handle dry digestion technology. This project was implemented by Dr. Sybil Sharvelle and
Mr. Luke Loetscher at Colorado State University. Their final report, submitted to GEO on
August 17, 2009, describes the technical feasibility of this type of project at CCI. In their
report, Sharvelle and Loetscher note that, “…the ability to generate energy from waste
products already requiring post treatment is a key advantage of this system. From a
research and technology development standpoint the CCI facility at Cannon [sic] City is the
perfect location to model a regional co‐digestion energy system” (p. 6).
For the Economic Feasibility Study, Mr. Viljoen, Ms. Diana Dean (CDOC Energy
Management Engineer), two managers from the dairy, and a manager from the horse corral
participated in a teleconference call to describe their project site and interest in an
economic feasibility study of the project. A July 29, 2009 site visit was also conducted for the
purposes of understanding the spatial aspects of the operation.
Although little cost and revenue data could be obtained, the site visit was useful to
understand the size of the operation and the potential for availability of feedstock from
1,200-2,000 dairy cows, 3,000 horses, 2,000 goats, and other agricultural by-products. From
the visit, it was clear that, with some strategic planning, the campus could directly utilize all
of the biogas for boiler heat. An electrical generator, revealed to be the source of
contention for many other operations, may not be necessary for CCI to offset costs.
Given the size of the facility, the diverse feedstock available, and the ability for CCI to use
all of the AD energy generated, much could be learned from an economic feasibility study
of CCI. A dedicated economic feasibility study on dry digestion technology may ultimately
lead to the expansion of this technology in the arid West. As follows are photos that
illustrate several of the agricultural operations at the Cañon City facility.
Economic Feasibility Study of Colorado Anaerobic Digester Projects
Prepared by Dr. Catherine Keske, Colorado State University
August 2009
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