Proceedings available at: http://www.extension.org/67679 The Cornell University PRO-DAIRY Anaerobic Digester Workforce Development Project is a project funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, aimed at developing and delivering high quality educational programs targeted to a range of workforces within the dairy farm-based anaerobic digestion (AD) sector of the clean energy field. One of the barriers to growth of the AD industry in New York State, as identified by current AD operators, is the lack of a trained, skilled workforce to service and maintain different aspects related to the AD and biogas systems. These courses are aimed at developing a workforce to support this need, and to eliminate this barrier to growth.

1. Anaerobic Digester Workforce
Training Curriculum Development
Jennifer Pronto
Waste to Worth conference
Denver, CO April 5, 2013

2. The Anaerobic Digester Workforce
Development Project is a NYSERDA funded
project aimed at developing and delivering
high quality educational programs
targeted to a range of workforces within
the dairy farm-based anaerobic digestion
sector of the clean energy field in NYS

3. Project components
• On-farm AD diagnostic lab development

4. Project components
• On-farm AD diagnostic lab development
• Virtual discussion group
Hey Bob, my
hydrogen sulfide
levels are so high!
I’m really interested
in building a new
digester at my farm!
Dirk, how do you find
the performance of the
microturbines?
Kathy Barrett – talk at 8:40

5. Project components
• On-farm AD diagnostic lab development
• Virtual discussion group
• Resource library

6. Project components
• On-farm AD diagnostic lab development
• Virtual discussion group
• Resource library
• Educational curriculums
Six technical short-courses were
developed, intending to provide
educational training to persons who are
involved in the planning and
implementation of dairy farm-based
anaerobic digestion systems and to
those currently or who would soon be
managing an operating system.

7. Project components
• On-farm AD diagnostic lab development
• Virtual discussion group
• Resource library
• Educational curriculums
• Public relations short-course

8. One of the barriers to growth of the AD industry
in New York State, as identified by current AD
operators, is the lack of a trained, skilled
workforce to service and maintain different
aspects related to the AD and biogas systems.
These courses are aimed at developing a
workforce to support this need, and to eliminate
this barrier to growth.

9. On-farm Renewable Energy Generation Workshop
Is this the right workshop for you?
1) Do you want to know more about on-farm anaerobic digestion (AD)?
2) Do you get contacted by producers interested in pursuing on-farm
anaerobic digestion?
3) Do you find yourself in the position of being interviewed about
anaerobic digestion, and not knowing what to say?
The morning session will provide a basic overview of on-farm AD in order to help you to:
- better interact with interested producers
- create legislation that directly supports on-farm AD, and/or
- provide current and accurate information to the public and to the media.
A tour of the AD system in the afternoon will also give participants a chance to view the newly
installed on-farm AD diagnostic lab. The first of its kind in the U.S. for use on a production dairy,
this lab is intended to facilitate co-digestion of manure and food waste, and to prevent
operational failures.

10. On-farm Renewable Energy Generation Workshop
Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
AD system overview
NYS current AD status
Benefits of on-farm AD
On-farm AD system feedstocks
On-farm AD system components
Renewable energy generation and utilization
AD Economics
Challenges of on-farm AD
Resources for reliable AD/biogas
Related further information (other sources)
Educating others
Common terminology
Reliable estimates and values for AD systems

11. On-farm Renewable Energy Generation Workshop
Public relations short course
Morning media tours
9:00am – 9:30am: Welcome and refreshments
9:30am – 11:30am: Farm tour
11:30am – 12:30am: Lunch
12:30am – 1:00pm: A farmer’s perspective of owning and operating
an AD
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Workshop via Powerpoint presentation
2:00pm: Questions/discussion and workshop wrap-up

12. This course will provide participants with the tools they need to:
• understand basic anaerobic digester (AD) system components
• evaluate the technical feasibility of a dairy farm AD system
• explore funding options
• understand the time-frame and effort required of an AD project
The symbols on the map represent on-farm
digesters that are in the following stages:

13. Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
Anaerobic digestion in New York State
Basics of anaerobic digestion (microbiology, chemistry, physics)
Funding
Laws, regulations, agreements, permits, and codes
Feasibility parameters
Feasibility studies (who, what, when, why, how)
Sensitivity analysis on key assumptions (inputs, revenue, contracts)

14. This 1-day course will offer a balance between lecture-style instruction and
hands-on experience using the Economic Assessment Model.
This course will provide participants with the tools they need to:
• quantify assumptions and risks,
• predict costs and revenues of an AD system,
• conduct an economic analysis,
• utilize the Economic Assessment Model
Brent Gloy is an associate professor in the Department of
Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. He teaches and
conducts research and Extension programs in the areas of
agricultural finance and agribusiness management.

15. Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
Introduction to the economics of AD systems
The key components of the economic analysis
Capital investments
Operating revenues and/or cost savings
Operating costs
Summary
Introduction to the financial concepts and principles required to evaluate
AD systems
The time value of money principle
The role of the discount rate and the planning horizon
Determining the economic profitability of an AD project
Introduction to a spreadsheet based decision tool for AD systems
The inputs required
Interpretation of the spreadsheet results
An AD case study

16. This course will provide participants with the tools they need to:
• Plan and implement a farm-based AD system
• Consider design options to best suit farm needs
• Perform basic operation and maintenance tasks
This intermediate-level course will be most helpful for technicians, farmers, managers,
etc. from farms who have made the decision to install an anaerobic digester and who
have a working knowledge on the subject. Audiences that may also find this course
useful are ag consultants, engineers, and contractors and service providers.

17. Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
Practical Considerations
Design Considerations: What producers should know
Safety
Construction/Contracting Management
Considerations of AD process performance
Value added ventures
Additional resources

18. This intermediate-level course will
be most helpful for the person in
charge of operating and maintaining
a farm digester.
A number of different audiences may be
interested in attending, including:
• extension professionals
• service contractors
• equipment suppliers
• safety professionals
• wastewater facility operators
• dairy cooperative representatives
This course will provide participants with the tools they need to:
• Effectively utilize biogas
• Consider different biogas clean-up technologies

19. Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
Biogas basics
Biogas utilization
Biogas clean-up technologies
Moisture removal
Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas: physical/chemical
Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas: microbial biological
fixation
Hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas: AD influent additives
Carbon dioxide removal
Equipment options and vendors

20. This advanced-level course covers AD system design considerations, AD biological and chemical
processes, daily operation, preventative and corrective maintenance of mechanical, gas, and
electric components, troubleshooting digester performance issues, record keeping, and safety.
It will be most helpful for technicians, farmers, and AD managers from farms that have an
anaerobic digester and who have a working knowledge on the subject. Audiences that may also
find this course useful are ag consultants, engineers and contractors, and service providers.
Is this the right workshop for you?
1) Are you hoping to prepare yourself or someone else to operate an on-
farm AD?
2) Are you interested in using an on-farm lab to monitor the impacts of
co-digestion?
3) Do you need assistance with troubleshooting AD performance issues?

21. Course overview:
Introduction and course objectives
Standard performance indices
Safety
Monitoring AD system parameters
Operation Start-up
AD System Operations
Troubleshooting digester symptoms
Maintenance
Advanced management of digester
chemical and biological processes
Public relations/Media outreach

22. Course curriculums available
• Introduction to Farm-based Anaerobic Digestion
• Technical Feasibility of On-farm Anaerobic Digestion
• Economic Feasibility of On-farm Anaerobic Digestion
and Economic Assessment Model Instruction Guide
• Practical Considerations and Implementation of
Anaerobic Digestion System from Planning and
Design to Construction
• Technician’s Start-Up and Operation
• Biogas Clean-up and Utilization Systems Selection,
Operation and Maintenance

23. Considerations
• Length of course and timing
• Expertise – train the trainer needs
• Which comes first – the market or the
knowledge?
• Certification demands/value
• What does it mean that the most basic
courses are our most popular?

24. Thank you
Jenny Pronto: jlp67@cornell.edu
Curt Gooch: cag26@cornell.edu
www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu
http://www.boston.com/business/blog/filter/2006/07/business_filter_38.html