C-CHANGE Grass2Gas

Episode 8: Lessons Learned from Operating Dickinson College Digester this Winter

Description: Digesters can be complicated, and winter especially offers unique challenges. Join us as we talk to Matt Steinman, Dickinson College Farm energy projects manager, as he talks about the lessons learned from operating the Dickinson digester through its first winter. Then, stay to hear about how this digester project inspired a musical. Here is a link to a recording of the musical on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8uFiAM-sFw&list=PL7I4sqMma0Qe3YKE0xF8wFH8fUoLV7anQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8uFiAM-sFw&list=PL7I4sqMma0Qe3YKE0xF8wFH8fUoLV7anQ] If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ [https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/] or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu [GrassToGas@psu.edu]. If you want to learn about all thing’s energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up [https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up].

Episode 7: The Importance of Implementing Native Grasses on Farms

With the noticeable pollution of various waterways in the US there has been a lot of talk about how to best protect against this pollution on farms. One of the most promising solutions is implementing native grass strips on fields, on marginal lands or as riparian buffers around waterways. Join us as we talk about the various benefits of using native grasses to protect the ecosystem on farms and how to establish these grasses on your farm successfully. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ [https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/] or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu [GrassToGas@psu.edu]. If you want to learn about all thing’s energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up [https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up].

Episode 6: The Importance of Life Cycle Assessments for Anaerobic digesters

Whether it's the need for digesters to prove they are a carbon neutral for the new IRA energy tax credits or to participate in the emerging carbon credit markets, accurate life cycle assessments of digesters are crucial. That is why we brought on Professor Mark Mba-Wright to talk about what life cycle assessments are and how they can show the carbon reductions that digester technologies provide. We also explore the opportunities that exist to make anaerobic digestion projects further carbon negative. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ [https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/] or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu [GrassToGas@psu.edu]. If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up [https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up].

Episode 5: Updates on Funding Opportunities for Digesters

There is a lot of uncertainty going into 2025 for some of the most important policies for digesters, including the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and the Rural Energy for America Program that have significantly impacted the digester industry. Policy is an integral part of energy, so we have Joe Conklin from the Penn State Extension Energy Team to discuss the updates for digester funding programs and what questions remain going into 2025. If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ [https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/] or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu [GrassToGas@psu.edu]. If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up [https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up].

Episode 4: The Importance of Chemistry and Data in Improving Digester Performance with Digester Doc

Operating a digester is difficult, with foaming events and other issues, the chemistry in a digester is obviously important but has still been difficult for farmers and operators to get it right. Well today we’re joined by Will Charlton, owner of Digester Doc who is brining light on how to effectively manage the chemistry in a digester using real time data analysis collected from digesters. Here we discuss the success of this innovative approach, why getting the chemistry right is so important and what this real time data collection could lead to in the future. If you want to learn more about Digester Doc you can use this link: https://www.digesterdoc.com/ [https://www.digesterdoc.com/] If you enjoy the podcast and want to learn more about C-CHANGE you can go to the C-CHANGE site: https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/ [https://farm-energy.extension.org/grass-to-gas/] or email us at GrassToGas@psu.edu [GrassToGas@psu.edu]. If you want to learn about all things energy in PA, then you can sign up to the Penn State Extension Energy Newsletter: https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up [https://extension.psu.edu/energy-team-sign-up].