Economic and Environmental Analyses of Multi-Generation Renewable Energy System for Dairy Farms
Matthew A. Cuomo 1, Eric D. Kool 1, Bale V. Reddy 1 * , Marc A. Rosen 1
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1 Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario L1H7K4, CANADA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

In the present work, economic and environment analyses of multi-generational micro gas turbine systems are reported for a grid-independent dairy farm in Ontario, Canada. Onsite anaerobic digesters utilize farm waste to produce carbon neutral biogas for combustion in the micro gas turbine modules. A range of micro gas turbines coupled with absorption refrigeration units and an organic Rankine cycle are driven by the recovered waste heat to meet the cooling and electrical needs of farm sizes between 250 and 6000 cows. Farms of these sizes are observed to be capable of having their cooling and electricity needs met with micro gas turbines ranging in capacity from 100 to 1000 kW output. Environmental performance is maximized when the net output of the system just matches the energy requirement of the farm, and produces no excess electricity. Thus to minimize the environmental impact, but remain financially viable, various configurations are suggested for farm sizes under 2000 cows.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2022, Article No: em0174

https://doi.org/10.21601/ejosdr/11397

Publication date: 02 Dec 2021

Article Views: 1137

Article Downloads: 1018

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