URAAD: Undergraduates Raising Awareness for Anaerobic Digestion

By Nicholas Sbalbi and Kieran Tay
Renewable Energy
iCons Year 4
2021
Sample photo to fill space
Executive Summary 

Our team has developed an Anaerobic Digester (AD) feasibility calculator which allows the user to determine if their geographic location is a possible candidate for the implementation of an anaerobic digester based on factors such as available feed stock, tipping fees, town taxes, and more. Currently there are no AD feasibility determinations out there like our calculator, where the ones that are out there are costly studies conducted by hired third party consultants. The AD calculator that we have developed would be able to determine rough feasibility for no cost at all, aside from a little bit of time spent information gathering to fill out the fields. Additionally, our website has a page that will teach the basics of AD for those that are unfamiliar.

Visit the URAAD website and the anaerobic digester calculator.

With climate change becoming such a prominent issue, it is imperative to switch to the greener energy alternatives to prevent disaster before it is too late. The purpose of this outreach is to encourage the consideration of green energy alternatives and foster it. With the release of this calculator, others will be able to access it and judge if an AD would be viable in their own area, supporting the movement to green energy.

 

Problem Keywords 
climate change
economic feasibility
biodigester
biogas
organic waste
Scientific Keywords 
anaerobic digestion
renewable energy
net present value
methane
calculator

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