Biomass to Energy at
UW Oshkosh
Michael Lizotte
Director of Sustainability
2010 Biotechnology Vision Summit
August 25 Madison Marriott West
UW Oshkosh Snapshot
• Founded in 1871
• 3rd largest university in
Wisconsin (top 5% in USA)
• 13,200 students
– 9% increase over past 6 years
– Growth Agenda - potential
increase of 12% by 2025
(approaching 16,000)
• 1,500 Faculty and staff
Biomass to Energy
Biomass (Food, Agriculture Waste, Yard Waste)
Anaerobic Dry Fermentation Digester
Biogas (Methane)
Generator (CHP = Combined Heat and Power)
Electricity, Heat and Compost
www.biofermenergy.com/us
UW Oshkosh
Renewable Energy Facility
• Methane Produced
by Dry
Fermentation of
Organic Waste
• Burn biogas to
generate electricity
and heat
• Rooftop Photovoltaic
Panels and small
wind turbines
• Outreach, Education,
and Research
BioFerm System: 3 Basic Components
GAS STORAGE
GAS
GAS
GENERATOR
Sealed Chamber
“Dry” Process – water is recycled
(no wastewater produced)
GAS STORAGE
GAS
GAS
GENERATOR
PERCOLATE
Sealed Chamber
“Percolate” – water, nutrients, microbes
Add Biomass to Chamber…
GAS STORAGE
GAS
GAS
GENERATOR
PERCOLATE
Sealed Chamber
BIOMASS
Oxygen is used up and methane is produced…
GAS STORAGE
GAS
GAS
GENERATOR
PERCOLATE
BIOMASS
Electricity and Heat are generated…
GAS STORAGE
GAS
GAS
ELECTRICITY
GENERATOR
HEAT
HEAT
PERCOLATE
BIOMASS
HEAT
Solid “digestate”  aerobic composter site
(can be custom batched – e.g. organic)
URBAN SITING
-- Facilities Management
moved across the river
(refurbished supermarket)
-- Zoned for light industry
-- Neighbors:
-- sewage treatment plant
-- yard waste dropoff site
-- technical college
-- senior center
MAIN
CAMPUS
UW Oshkosh Renewable Energy Facility
Oshkosh Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Generators:
450 kW (330 + 120)
Annual Electric: 3,000 MWh (ca. 10% of UWO)
Annual Heat:
3,400 MWh (ca. 10% of UWO)
WPS
Oshkosh Senior
Center
UWO
CSC
HEAT
UWO Campus
Oshkosh Yardwaste
Collection Site
Fox Valley
Technical College
Hypothetical Feedstock Source Profile
8000
7000
Tons
Per
Year
Industrial
Food
Processor
Waste
6000
5000
4000
Municipal Food
3000
Farm Waste
2000
1000
UWO
Municipal Yard Waste
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Year (Note: Facility lifetime is >20 yrs)
9
10
The Bigger Picture for UW Oshkosh:
1. Renewable Energy Facilities serve as Learning Labs:
-- Major: Biomass and solar
-- Minor: Geothermal
-- Demonstration: Wind
2. Research Laboratories for Service and Training:
-- Biosolids and Water Testing
(UWO strengths in Chemistry and Microbiology)
3. Renewable Energy Institute for Professional Development
-- Short Courses, certificates, visiting scholars