AgSTAR Library of Tools and Resources
The AgSTAR program provides a wide variety of resources and tools for stakeholders interested in exploring the use of anaerobic digester systems. Outreach materials and project development tools, information on funding resources, and information on digesters operating within the United States are listed below.
Technical Resources for Anaerobic Digester Systems
These resources provide technical information about anaerobic digestion and biogas recovery systems and are intended to help with planning and optimizing projects.
- Biogas Toolkit
- How Biogas Systems Work
- Recovering Value from Waste: Anaerobic Digester System Basics
- Basics of Energy Production through Anaerobic Digestion of Livestock Manure (pdf)
- AgSTAR Project Development Handbook
- Risk Analysis and Technical Review Checklist for Biogas Projects
- Anaerobic Digestion on Swine Farms
- Anaerobic Digestion on Dairy Farms
- Estimating Methane Reductions from Operating Anaerobic Digestion Systems
- Using Biochemical Methane Potentials and Anaerobic Toxicity Assays
- Increasing Anaerobic Digestion Performance with Codigestion
- Common Safety Practices for On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Systems
- Interconnection Guidelines
AgSTAR Projects, Case Studies and Vendors
These resources provide information about farm-based anaerobic digester projects within the United States, including a directory of vendors.
- Livestock Anaerobic Digester Database
- AgSTAR Project Profiles
- AgSTAR Case Studies
- Anaerobic Digestion Ombudsman Case Studies
- AgSTAR Vendor Directory: Develop Agricultural Biogas Recovery Systems
Interviews with Anaerobic Digester Operators
Operators of anaerobic digesters share first-hand feedback about their projects.
Industry Reports and Presentations
These resources provide national market data and trends related to biogas recovery systems.
- AgSTAR Market Opportunities Report
- Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Report
- Improving Project Outcomes and Growing the Anaerobic Digestion Industry Report
- Attracting Institutional and Impact Investors (presentation)
- Challenges and Opportunities for California’s Dairy Economy
- Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digester Feasibility Study Report (pdf)
Online Tools and Software
Listed below are various tools to assist with project planning and identify potential incentives.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
- State Energy Portal Online for Consumers
- RETScreen – Clean Energy Management Software
- State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Goals
- Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool (CREST) (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
- Biogas Research Directory
- AD Budget Calculator
- Anaerobic Digestion Financial Decision Tools
- System Advisor Model (SAM) (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2010)
- Power Purchase Agreement Toolkit (RETScreen International, 2012)
- EPA WARM Tool -- tracking and reporting of emission reductions
Funding and Grant Sources
The following information may assist you in funding an anaerobic digester project.
- Funding On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion
- EIA, Feed-in tariff: A policy tool encouraging deployment of renewable electricity technologies
- USDA, Energy Matrix
- USDA, Farm Service Agency Energy Programs – Biomass Crop Assistance Program
- USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service Funding Sources
- USDA, Rural Energy for America Program
- USDA, Rural Development Business Programs
- USDA, Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
- USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Sustainable Agriculture Grants (SARE)
- US DOE, Exploring Power Purchase Agreements: The Basics (pdf)
Other Agencies and Organizations
Visit these websites for additional information.
- American Biogas Council Resources
- USDA, Rural Development’s Energy Programs
- U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center
- Center of Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University
- Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dairy Environmental Systems
- Penn State’s Renewable and Alternative Energy
- RNG Coalition
- Energy Vision