The animal effluent management method enables ACCUs to be generated for projects that capture methane from livestock effluent systems (within dairies or piggeries) and process or treat the effluent in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The science
Methane is produced as microbes break down organic material (under anaerobic conditions) and produce methane (CH₄). Methane is a gas 28 times more potent than CO₂.
In a dairy or piggery, manure drains to ponds or digesters. Covering ponds or using anaerobic digesters can avoid emissions or allow biogas to be collected and either burned to convert methane into CO₂, or used to generate renewable energy.
Key project steps
- Understand eligibility and project requirements and, if required, seek technical expertise for both engineering design and emissions calculations
- Register project with the Clean Energy Regulator and prepare quality assurance plan
- Implement project actions. This could involve aerobic treatment of the effluent to avoid emissions, or installing digesters to capture biogas and then either conversion for use as an energy source or destruction by flaring
- Monitor in accordance with the quality assurance plan
- Prepare reports on project actions and emissions abatement and claim ACCUs
Co-benefits
- Generate on-site renewable energy
- Reduce odours and water contamination
- Improve overall waste management efficiency
Find out more about the animal effluent method.