DIG-L: Fish methane

["Jeff Forward" <forward@together.net>]

I recently received this question and was wondering if anyone on this list
serve has any experience with digesting fish waste from a fish plant.  Seems
to me like it might be an appropriate technology.

Jeffrey W. Forward
Richmond Energy Associates
PO Box 615
Richmond,  VT  05477
(802) 434-3770
(802) 434-2344 FAX
e-mail: forward@together.net

I've been contacted by someone on an island off the coast of Maine. They
state an interest in PV and solar thermal for a new school they are
building, but I have already expanded the discussion to include wind.
(restricted site size.)

The island is 1200 year round residents, a large percentage is in the
fishing industry. (Lobsters and fish summer, fish, scallops, oysters, other
in winter.)

My question is, does a fish packing plant produce enough bio solids that can
be composted to produce a usable amount of gas? Currently power is through
an 11 mile under sea line that is old. 3 out of six lines have
failed, replacement cost is high and will jack electric rates way beyond the
current $0.11/kWh commercial rate.

Does digesting the fish waste reduce the disposal costs? All fuel is barged
to the island. I assume all waste is barged off. So we may be able to save
some electric money and some waste disposal money.

Any thoughts?



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