Cost and Performance Data Lining up funding, approvals, and getting such a project completed is not easy, notes Aman. Construction work began in October 1997 but the system wasn't completely operational until June 1998. The system requires attention for no more than an hour a day, however. The lack of odor around the unit is noticeable and the area around the digester is cleaner than might be expected. The digester has operated without problems, except for occasional outages for repair of the converted Caterpillar engine.
Any excess electricity is sold back to a local utility at wholesale rates.
The Amans hope in the future to generate more energy value by using a fuel cell instead of the generator. We were not only able to drive down the labor of manure spreading but also reduce the cost of electricity and increase our environmental stewardship in this community. Not only that, odor has been controlled and the cost of manure application substantially reduced. Along with improved relationships with neighbors, AA Dairy is proud to have earned a New York State Governor's Environmental Award in 1999. With the manure digester, we were not only able to drive down the labor of manure spreading but also reduce the cost of electricity and increase our environmental stewardship in this community.