BIOGAS FROM CATTLE EFFLUENTS: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND FERTILIZER

The Fusi Giovanni farm, a 70-hectare organic dairy operation with 130 lactating cows, uses a 49 kW biogas plant powered solely by liquid manure to achieve full self-consumption and minimal energy costs. The plant produces digestate, which is separated into solid and liquid fractions: the solid is used in organic vineyards and olive groves, while the liquid is injected via strip-till to reduce CO2 emissions and synthetic fertilizer use. A 20 kW photovoltaic system supplements energy needs. The farm operates without subsidies, maintains stable energy costs at 12 cents per kWh, and enhances sustainability through closed-loop resource management.