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Ready to get started?

There is a lot to consider as you plan your biogas operation – from goal setting and building a team, to thinking through feedstock and energy purchase contract options.

This Getting Started with Biogas Factsheet will help you in the research phase by providing tips for success as you work through the various steps. Here’s an overview of what you will find:

  1. Setting goals
  2. Building a team
  3. Sourcing feedstock
  4. Choosing AD technology
  5. Determining your biogas use plan
  6. Developing a digestate management plan
  7. Optimizing operations
  8. Communicating with community

Key questions about biogas

There are a number of frequently asked questions when getting started with biogas on your farm – everything from financial and regulatory queries to operational and offtake options.

Click on a question below to find the answer or download this PDF to see all of the answers.

Financial

How do I finance my biogas facility?

Financial institutions generally want to support farm customers in their renewable energy investments. Obtaining financing should not be a hurdle if a farm has a strong financial position and presents the business case and long-term revenue stream for the biogas system.

When securing financing, be sure to shop around. Different lenders have varying comfort levels with on-farm biogas plants. Some lenders, such as Farm Credit Canada, offer specific financing for environmental solutions that can help you make environmental upgrades to your operation and switch to renewable energy resources.

How profitable is a biogas facility?

There are multiple ways to calculate the profitability of an on-farm biogas plant. Not unlike a new barn or more quota, the payback period (number of years to recover your investment) is a common way to pencil out profitability.  

Generally speaking, and because on-farm biogas plants operate for at least twenty years, a payback period of eight years or less should be a good investment. A simple payback period calculation is based on investment cost, operating costs and projected revenue through energy sales and tipping fees. A more complete profitability assessment takes into account important additional variables, such as cost savings on farm inputs (bedding, commercial fertilizer, building heating), interest on loans, depreciation, insurance and taxation.

Regulatory

What do I need to know about permitting and regulatory approval?

Government permits and approvals required for biogas systems vary from province to province.

In British Columbia, for example, farms must seek approvals from the Agricultural Land Commission, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the municipal government. The B.C. MoE requires three permits for biogas systems: effluent, air and solids. In Ontario, approvals for on-farm biogas systems are typically issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Each province also regulates the amount of non-agricultural feedstock that a farm can accept. The total amount is 49% and 50% in B.C. and Ontario, respectively.

How long does it take to acquire the necessary permits and who can help?

The timeline to acquire the necessary permits varies by province and the number of agencies/government departments involved in the approval process. Typically, several regulations are administered by different departments within the provincial jurisdiction, and regulators are not always familiar with on-farm biogas systems. The length of time to obtain all of the approvals can take as long as 18 months to more than three years. Tap into a technology vendor for assistance in working through this process.

Operational

How can I ensure optimum anaerobic digester (AD) operation?

Optimum AD operation is a function of system design. Key considerations include frequent and manageable feeding of inputs, even and consistent digester heating to maintain temperatures, easy maintenance of mixers, and sufficient insulation to protect from climate and elements.

As with most mechanical systems, regular monitoring and maintenance can reduce facility downtime. In the case of biogas systems, this may require additional technical support with specialized expertise and accessing replacement parts from outside of Canada.

Having an appreciation for microbiological systems is also key for overall digester health and achieving optimal biogas production. Many parameters work together to influence the health and, in turn, affect the efficiency and productivity of the digester. The most important digester health parameters include a balanced feedstock mixture, monitoring process control (temperature, carbon:nitrogen ratios, pH) and the use of biological and chemical additives when necessary. These are critical to preventing issues like digester foaming or biological system crashes.

How much time is required to operate an AD?

As in farming, operating an AD system can vary day to day depending on the preventative maintenance and measures you put in place. The size, level of automation and the complexity of the system determines the number of hours required to operate the system. This can range from one part-time operator for several hours each day to full-time operators. Technology vendors can provide an accurate labour assessment for each system.

Where can I access a reliable supply of high-quality feedstock?

A reliable supply of high-quality feedstock is the cornerstone of a successful biogas system. There are several ways to procure off-farm materials. One is to work with a company in the resource recovery industry that will contract with you to deliver specific consistent feedstock supplies. Another method is to contract directly with neighbouring farms, or with food processors in your area. Important characteristics to keep in mind of feedstock include availability, consistency, free of contaminants, good methane yield, and the ability to generate a tipping fee.

What do I do with the end-products (digestate)?

Ideally, digestate is spread on farmland surrounding a biogas plant (typically within a few kilometres), as this is often the most cost-effective way to deal with it. However, in cases where the nutrients in digestate are greater than the nutrient needs of your farm, nutrient extraction technology may be required to help you move some of your digestate elsewhere. Larger fibre in digestate can be dried and used for livestock bedding. Dry matter product can also be exported off your farm and marketed as fertilizer pellets.

Offtake and interconnection

What are my offtake options?

Biogas can be converted directly into heat and power in a combined heat and power (CHP) system. Currently, the majority of agricultural biogas operations generate electricity for sale to a provincial electricity utility. A small portion of the electricity and some of the heat may be used directly on farms.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is poised to bring the next wave of opportunity for biogas producers. Biogas can be upgraded into pipeline-quality RNG by removing carbon dioxide and various impurities for injection into natural gas pipelines.

How do I connect to the grid?

Grid connection, whether to electricity or a natural gas pipeline, will vary depending on the distance of your farm to the grid, and the capacity and constraints on the grid.

If your farm doesn’t have three-phase power or a natural gas pipeline close by (i.e., under one kilometre for three-phase power and three kilometres for a gas pipeline), it may be challenging to sell your renewable electricity or RNG. While it is possible to compress renewable natural gas and deliver it by truck, this increases complexity, adds cost, and could negatively impact the profitability of your biogas plant.

Can I supply my farm’s own energy requirements?

Yes, you can use the biogas you produce for on-farm heat and electricity generation, thereby reducing your operational costs. In many cases, however, heat production is greater than on-farm demand, so not all of this energy is used (especially in summer months).

Other

Can I collaborate with other farms?

Yes, biogas co-operatives are an option for some farms. Co-operatives share input materials, such as manure, crops and silage, or have anaerobic digesters on each participating farm, and pipe the biogas to a common facility that upgrades the biogas to RNG and injects it into the natural gas pipeline. Location, however, is still a critical factor; farms would need to be within approximately five kilometres of the upgrading facility.

How safe is a biogas facility?

The safety of your biogas facility depends on you. Every project should develop a safety plan with the help of industry experts. Handling natural gas and electricity requires training and both need to be done responsibly. For example, farm staff working on digesters should receive specific training related to hydrogen sulfide, which is a poisonous gas often contained in digesters. In Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority provides oversight for gaseous fuel safety. B.C. producers should consult with Technical Safety BC about biogas flare requirements, inspections and approvals.

Training on confined space entry and managing high-voltage electrical systems will also help ensure your biogas facility is a safe place to work. Having emergency preparedness procedures in place and seeking advice from local emergency management services is also recommended.

How does biogas improve my farm’s environmental footprint?

Biogas production can help you enhance your farm’s environmental stewardship by transforming methane from manure into energy. Capturing and using methane through anaerobic digestion can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manure systems, mitigating the impacts of climate change. Besides biogas, the plant produces nutrient-rich digestate that boosts crop production, which feeds livestock and creates a sustainable loop of food, waste and energy. In addition to nutrient recovery and management, the farm benefits from odour reduction and destruction of weed seed and pathogens.

What is the nutrient content of my digestate?

Digestate contains almost all of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of the input feedstock and is considered a good fertilizer due to its nutrient consistency and availability. It also has a lower carbon-to-nitrogen ratio than dairy manure (i.e., better short-term nitrogen-fertilization effect), fewer weed seeds and significantly reduced odour. Finally, due to having less fibre than manure, digestate is easier to mix, pump and spread.

More resources

These comprehensive resources provide even more details to get you started in ag biogas.

B.C. Ministry of Agriculture: On-Farm Biogas Development Handbook

The basics of how biogas plants work and key requirements to build and operate an on-farm biogas plant.

US Environmental Protection Agency: AgSTAR Handbook

A handbook for developing Anaerobic Digestion/biogas systems on farms in the United States.

European Biogas Association: Biogas Basics

The fundamentals of all aspects related to biogas (technical, political, environmental, economical)

Canadian Anaerobic Digestion Guideline: Food and Organic Waste Processing Facilities

First-ever guideline for food and organic waste anaerobic digesters in Canada featuring practical and real-world experience about how to design, build, and operate digesters.

Equipment suppliers & technical advisors

There is a growing network of biogas equipment suppliers and technical advisors with a wealth of experience ready to provide advice and help you get started. Click on a business name to access their website. Use the filters to identify suppliers and advisors in the area where you require support.

  • Industries

  • Province/Region

2G Energy Inc.


Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems


AB Energy Canada Ltd.


Addinol North America Inc.


Adicomp S.r.l.


AIM Environmental Group Inc.


Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, U.S. LLC


Ammongas


Anessa


Anew


Applied Compression Systems


Arsham Clean Energy


ATCO Gas


Avenam Links Int’l Ltd


Avensys Solutions


Azura Associates


BerQ RNG Inc.


BIOFerm Energy Systems/Viessmann Group


Biogest America Inc.


BioRefinex Canada Inc.


Biotrix Americas Corp.


Bird


Borden Ladner & Gervais


BP Canada Energy Group ULC


Bright Biomethane North America Inc


Cameron Instruments Inc.


Camfil Canada Inc


Canadian RiteRate Energy Corporation


Cargill Limited


Catapult Environmental Inc.


CEM Engineering


Certarus


CH Four Biogas Inc.


CHAR Technologies Inc.


CIMA+


ClearBlue Markets


Comcor Environmental Limited


Compresseurs Jordair Inc.


ComTech Energy


Convertus Group


Cornerstone Energy Services Canada LTD


Cornerstone Renewables Inc.


CR Wall


Distributed Gas Solutions Canada LP (DGSC)


DLS Biogas Inc.


DMT Clear Gas Solutions


Eastward Energy


ECNG Energy Group


EcoEngineers


ECOMEMBRANE Srl


ECONWARD TECH


EDL


Elite Agri Solutions Inc.


Enbridge Gas Distribution


Énergir


Enerproject SA


Envirosense (International) Limited


EverGen Infrastructure Corp.


Evergreen Environmental Inc.


Evonik Industries


EZ Forming


Farm Credit Canada


Faromor CNG Corporation


FortisBC


Genecis Bioindustries Inc


GHD Limited


Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP


Green Impact Partners


Greenfield Global


Greenlane Biogas NA Limited


H2Flow Tanks & Systems Inc


H2S Solutions Ltd.


Hallbar Consulting


Heritage Gas


Hitachi Zosen Inova


HRS Heat Exchangers


Hy-Lok Distribution Inc


Hydron Energy Inc.


IMW Industries Ltd.


INFIBIT


Interra Global


Iogen Corporation


Irving Oil Limited


Isonor Inc.


Ivys Adsorption Inc.


Lakeside Process Controls


M-RETS


Martin Energy Group


Midland Resource Recovery


Miller Waste Systems Inc.


Modern Niagara Group Inc.


Napier-Reid Ltd


Nature Energy Canada


Northland Power Inc.


Octaform Systems Inc.


Organix Energy Inc.


Paques Canada Inc.


Passmore Group Inc.


PlanET Biogas Solutions Inc.


Policy Integrity Inc.


Prodeval Inc.


PUG Services Corp


Pura Energy Inc.


Pyro Green Gas


SBE Biogas


Scovan Engineering


Shell Energy


SixRing


Skyline Clean Energy


SNF Canada Ltd


Stantec Consulting Ltd.


StormFisher Ltd.


SUMA America Inc.


Sunny Corner Enterprises Inc.


SYSADVANCE North America Technologies Inc.


TerraVest Renewables


Tetra Tech Canada Inc.


Tidal Energy Marketing Inc.


Titan Research Group


Toromont Cat Power Systems


Twin Eagle Resource Management Canada, LLC


Unconventional Gas Solutions


Unison Solutions, Inc.


Veolia North America


Vintec Acoustics, division of Mainville Solutions Inc.


Voda Midstream


Volta Energy Inc.


Waga Energie Canada


Walker Environmental Group


Worry Free Maintenance and Mechanical inc.


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