Development of an investment decision tool for biogas production from agricultural waste

Anaerobic digestion is a very promising solution for the treatment of agricultural waste, preventing pollution and leading to efficient energy production. Since this technology is available to each farmer in a different way depending on the location and the scattering of the primary sources, it is essential to clarify the best conditions adapted to local situations to treat the targeted residues and make this information accessible to farmers. In particular the possibility of codigestion seems to be very attractive for farmers who will be able to treat their own waste together with other organic substrates. Their profit in this case is double since they treat properly their own residues, taking advantage of the selling of heat and electricity as well as the utilisation of a stabilised biofertiliser. The aim of this paper is to present an investment decision kit for economic evaluation of biogas plant projects based on agricultural feedstocks. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.