Northeast Biogas Interest Form
Warm Greetings, Valley Neighbors :)

My name is Elyssa Serrilli, and I am a community organizer and environmental educator.  I am working with Dr. Martin Hunter at UMass, Kathy Puffer of Biogaseducation.com, and other valley partners to develop small-scale methane biogas systems and spread education and awareness of this amazing safe, affordable, low tech-technology!  

A methane biodigester is a vessel that allows for the decomposition of organic material (kitchen scraps, agricultural waste, pet waste, manure, etc.) in an oxygen-poor environment.  This environment allows for anaerobic bacteria to flourish and produce methane (CH4), a clean-burning fuel that is great for cooking, heating, and even some vehicles.  Methane, also known as "natural gas", is currently used to for heating and cooking in many houses in the Valley.  Methane can be renewable and carbon-neutral!  Biodigesters provide a locally resilient, carbon-neutral source for this fuel... they are low tech and low cost... and require about as much work as tending a small flock of laying hens.

Please help us better understand your interest in biogas by filling out this questionnaire.  Thank you!  Feel free to share with friends and neighbors.
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First and last name *
Email address *
Phone Number (optional)
Town *
County *
How did you hear about this project?
What's the first thing you think about when you think of biogas?  (write 1-4 words)
Which benefits draw you to biogas?  --> Choose your top 3 <-- *
Required
What is your level of experience with methane biogas? *
What are your primary questions about biogas systems? (Choose up to 3)
How does biogas work?
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions:
A small-scale biodigester suitable for a home, small farm or small food enterprise will cost you between $1,000-50,000, depending on many variables (how big the system is, if you want to use it year round, if you buy a prefab system or make one yourself, etc.). Large-scale and medium-scale systems are more expensive.  There is a reliable company that makes prefab systems (https://www.homebiogas.com/). They are based in Israel/Palestine and ship within 2 to 3 weeks at a reasonable price. The carbon footprint of shipping is one reason we are exploring local production.

There are many variable to consider when choosing the right biogas system for you:
- How much gas do I want to make?
- What do I want to do with the liquid bio-fertilizer produced?
- How much money do I want to spend?
- Do I want to buy a prefab system, or make one myself?
- What materials are available in my area?
- What is the climate like where I live, and what are the regulatory restrictions?
- How much and what kinds of organic material is available to me to "feed" my biodigester?

Once you install your system, it will take 10-15 days for the digester to reliably make fuel. The process of site assessment, system design, materials purchase and installation takes several weeks to several months, depending on the size and complexity of your system. That said, a well designed system is simple and easy to use, much easier than tending a garden or a flock of chickens.  Expect to spend about 15 minutes feeding your digester every 1-3 days (except when you are on vacation).  Expect 2-4 partial days of maintenance each year. We recommend setting up passive systems for bio-fertilizer usage.

Biodigesters are safe. Biodigesters have a mild smell, like a healthy compost pile, but it is not offensive. The gas produced is not pressurized. Biodigesters can be kept indoors or outdoors, but biogas storage must be kept outdoors.  You can learn more by joining our mailing list at northeastbiogas.com, joining us for an in-person workshop, joining the online training at biogaseducation.com.
Where would you use a biodigester? (Check all that apply.) *
Required
Tell us a little more about where you would use a biodigester?  (A biodigester needs to be sited outdoors, Micro systems have a footprint of 4'x4', and systems  get wider and longer as they grow in capacity.) *
What kind(s) of organic waste do you plan to feed your biodigester?
If you will be feeding your digester animal waste, specify what kind(s).
Please estimate the amount of kitchen scraps you produce (or have access to), on average, EACH WEEK. (in gallons)
If applicable, please estimate the amount of animal waste your site produces EACH WEEK. (in gallons or cubic meters or yards)

Nota bene: Biodigesters can be fed only kitchen scraps, only manure, or a mix.  Using kitchen scraps or a mix of kitchen scraps and manure produces more methane per volume of feedstock.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about the site where you are considering biogas?
How much money would you like to spend on your system?  What is more important to you: a low cost system, or a more automated system? Are you drawn to buying a prefabricated system, or building your own?  Please explain.
How would you use the methane produced? *
Required
Biodigesters also produce a liquid fertilizer.  How would you use this liquid fertilizer? *
Required
The bacterial environment inside a biodigestor needs to be kept above 65 F to produce methane, or else it will become dormant.  How would you manage the temperature of your biodigester?
Clear selection
Do you have any other renewable energy sources at your home or work? (Please check all that apply) *
Required
How would you like to stay connected to this project? *
Required
Elyssa, Dr. Hunter and Kathy Puffer at a home biogas build site in WMass. (The "I Love You" hand sign that Kathy is holding up shows the proper height and position of the feed tube, gas tube and fertilizer outlet.)
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Submit
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