Iowa’s Biomass Conversion Plan and Economic Assessment Tool

Anaerobic digestion is a promising approach for achieving the economic and environmental goals laid out in the Iowa Energy Plan. Iowa State University, with funding from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, recently released a report and assessment tool for anaerobic digesters in an effort to identify business opportunities for profitable operation. The Iowa Biogas Assessment Model includes sets of maps on the state’s biogas resources and an online economic spreadsheet which estimates the capital and operating costs of processing raw biogas into pipeline quality gas. The formulas and inputs into the spreadsheet can be modified.

This webinar featured a discussion on the state’s recently released Biomass Conversion Action Plan and an in-depth look at the inputs and assumptions that went into the development of the economic assessment tool. In addition, farmer Bryan Sievers of Sievers Family Farms about their conversion to biogas and how their experience helped in the development of the economic assessment tool.

Speakers:

• Shelly Peterson, Iowa Economic Development Authority
• Bryan Sievers, AgriReNew, Sievers Family Farms
• Mark Mba Wright, Iowa State University
• Val Stori, Clean Energy States Alliance (moderator)

This webinar was presented by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA).