Harcolm Farms recently unveiled its new small-scale anaerobic digester at an open house event. The farm, owned by Robert McKinlay, embarked on this sustainable venture over two years ago in partnership with John Hawkes of Wayside Energy. The project, fueled by the waste from the farm’s 75 dairy cows, aims to harness methane for power generation, significantly curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
McKinlay shared that the initiative received government support due to its potential to reduce emissions, explaining that the traditional storage of manure released methane into the atmosphere. The new system captures this methane, reducing carbon monoxide emissions by an impressive 110 tonnes annually. “This allows us to take control of our energy costs and environmental impact,” McKinlay noted during the showcase.
The system, developed with Belgium’s Biolectric, comprises 18 components starting from the barn. Manure is automatically fed into the reactor, where it is heated and agitated to release methane, which in turn powers generators. The farm operates under two contracts: a Microfit 10-kilowatt and a net-metered 10-kilowatt agreement with the province, allowing it to use the energy it needs and sell the surplus back to the grid.
This closed-loop system also reclaims energy to heat farm buildings, recycles the solid digestate for animal bedding, and uses the liquid digestate to enhance nitrogen in the soil.
While large-scale digesters can be costly and primarily serve urban waste management by generating 200 to 500 kilowatts, Hawkes believes these smaller units are ideal for average-sized farms. He expressed ambitions to expand these projects beyond Oxford County. “We see potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gases by selling hundreds of these systems,” he said.
The partnership among Wayside Energy, Harcolm Farms, and government support exemplifies a pioneering approach to renewable energy and waste management in North America. With Oxford County’s target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050, McKinlay’s project is a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, self-sufficiency in power, and enhanced soil health.
Future plans for Harcolm Farms include transitioning to a fully electric feeding system and eliminating fossil fuels from daily operations, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable agriculture.
