Methane Capture & Biogas Services

What Are Methane Capture & Biogas Services?

Methane capture services help dairy farms collect and utilize the methane gas produced by decomposing manure. Rather than allowing this potent greenhouse gas to escape into the atmosphere, specialized systems capture it for conversion to electricity, renewable natural gas (RNG), or carbon credits. Service providers can design, build, operate, and maintain these systems.

Why Methane Capture Matters

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas—84 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period. Dairy manure is a significant source of agricultural methane emissions, particularly from liquid storage systems. Capturing this methane reduces environmental impact while creating potential revenue streams from energy sales and carbon credits.

Key Benefits

• Environmental impact: Dramatically reduce your farm's carbon footprint
• Energy production: Generate electricity or renewable natural gas
• Carbon credit revenue: Sell carbon offsets in voluntary or compliance markets
• Regulatory compliance: Meet emerging environmental requirements
• Improved manure quality: Digested manure is more stable and easier to apply
• Odor reduction: Covered digesters significantly reduce manure odors

Types of Methane Capture Approaches

Full Anaerobic Digesters

Complete systems that process manure in enclosed tanks, maximizing biogas production. Can produce electricity on-site or upgrade biogas to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas.

Covered Lagoon Systems

Impermeable covers over existing lagoons that capture naturally occurring methane. Lower cost than full digesters but less biogas production.

Biogas Upgrading to RNG

Systems that purify raw biogas to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas for sale into natural gas networks or as vehicle fuel.

Service Provider Models

Developer-Owned Projects

Third-party developers build and own the digester on your farm, paying you a fee for manure access. Minimal farm investment but shared revenue.

Farm-Owned with Service Agreements

You own the system while service providers handle operation and maintenance. Higher investment but greater long-term returns.

Cooperative/Regional Models

Multiple farms feed manure to a central digester facility. Shared investment and returns with lower individual risk.

Is Methane Capture Right for Your Farm?

Consider methane capture if:

• You have 500+ cows with liquid manure handling
• Access to natural gas pipelines or electricity grid
• Interest in sustainability and carbon markets
• Long-term planning horizon (10+ years)
• Regulatory pressures or incentives for emissions reduction

Methane capture may not be practical if:

• Herd size is too small for economic viability
• No infrastructure access for gas or electricity
• Dry manure handling systems without liquid storage
• Limited capital or risk tolerance

Cost Considerations

Full digester systems cost $3-7 million for a 1,000-cow dairy, though grants and tax credits can offset 30-50% of costs. Developer-owned projects require minimal farm investment but share ongoing revenue. Covered lagoon systems are less expensive at $500,000-1,500,000. Revenue streams include electricity sales ($0.05-0.15/kWh), RNG sales ($15-30/MMBtu), carbon credits ($50-200/ton CO2e), and tipping fees from accepting off-farm waste. Many projects achieve 5-10 year paybacks depending on market conditions and incentive programs.