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On-Farm Biodiesel
April 8, 2015
Chris Callahan
UVM Extension Ag Engineering
[email protected] 802 773 3349
http://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah
UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative
Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of
Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer
education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.
1
The Bottom Line
• Even with
– moderate yields &
– small scale of production
• Vermont’s farm-based
biodiesel enterprises:
– $2.30-2.50 per gallon
– 3.6-5.9 to 1 net energy return
– 1,984-3,227 pounds per acre
per year net carbon avoidance
“Local production
for local use.”
The Vermont Bioenergy Initiative is
made possible through a U.S.
Department of Energy grant and the
Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
(DOE grant# DE-FG36-08GO88182).
http://vermontbioenergy.com/
@vtbioenergy
2
Benefits of On-Farm Biodiesel
Financial – cost of fuel
Planning – stable of cost
of fuel
Efficiency – “energy return
on investment.”
Environmental – net
carbon reduction
“A hundred years ago
we all grew our own fuel.”
John Williamson
State Line Farm Biofuels,
Shaftsbury, VT
Making Biodiesel
The Biodiesel Process
Lots of places to “hop on” or “hop off.”
6
Crop Production
• Recently published handbook
for Northeast Production
Darby, H., P. Halteman, and H. Harwood. 2013.
Oilseed Production in the Northeast: A Guide for
Growers of Sunflower and Canola. University of
Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils
Program, St. Albans, VT
Available: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wpcontent/uploads/OilseedManualFINAL.pdf
Oilseed Pressing
Cost Breakdown
8
“The BioBarn”, State Line Farm, Shaftsbury, VT
9
John Williamson, State Line Farm, Shaftsbury, VT
(First Large Batch of Fuel, 2011)
10
Vermont On-Farm Biodiesel
Cost of Production and Breakeven
Available:
http://www.vsjf.org/assets/files/VBI/VT%20Oilseed%
20Enterprises_July_2013.pdf
Economics and Breakeven of
On-farm Biodiesel Enterprises
• 2013 report explored 2
scales of farm-based
production.
• As with most farm
operations, highly
dependent on cost of
crop production and yield.
• Analysis is provided in
step-by-step form
• Calculator is available to
aid in assessing potential.
State Line Farm
John Williamson - Shaftsbury, VT
’65 Massey-Harris SP35 at work
Moisture tester
13
Maple Sugar & Honey
formerly a Dairy Farm
Oil Seeds since 2005
Operate at 2k gal/yr with ~300k gal/yr capacity
Biodiesel Samples, “Just like at the sugar
house.”
The “Bio-Barn” – Making use of gravity, the sun and shade.
State Line Farm
John Williamson - Shaftsbury, VT
Biodiesel processor
14
Taby Press
Maple Sugar & Honey
formerly a Dairy Farm
Oil Seeds since 2005
Operate at 2k gal/yr with ~300k gal/yr capacity
XP Pump
Borderview Farm
Roger Rainville - Alburgh, VT
Crop Research Farm
formerly a Dairy Farm
Oil Seeds since 2005
Establishing ~150k gal/yr capacity
Roger and his
sunflowers
Presscake
Research
combine
New grain dryer and storage bin.
Biodiesel barn behind
15
Meal
pellet press
Oil
press
Borderview Farm
Roger Rainville - Alburgh, VT
16
Crop Research Farm
formerly a Dairy Farm
Oil Seeds since 2005
Establishing ~150k gal/yr capacity
eNewsletter
web
blog
Chris Callahan
Rutland Office / [email protected] / 802-773-3349
http://www.uvm.edu/extension/agriculture/engineering/17
http://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah/