Pursuing Pig-Poop Power A situation assessment of Duke University’s proposal to power a CHP plant using renewable biogas

Abstract

Swine waste in North Carolina is a wicked problem that impacts human health, water quality, soil health and the global climate. Smithfield Foods, the largest hog producer in North Carolina (and the world) recently announced their intention to capture methane from their hog farms that could be used as a renewable biogas. This comes at a time when Duke University is searching for energy sources that will help it achieve its carbon neutrality goals. This report provides a situation assessment of the plan for Duke University to power a proposed Combined Heat and Power plant using renewable biogas from eastern North Carolina. The analysis considers the nascent biogas market as a part of the Food-Water-Energy nexus to identify necessary research to ensure such a market would be truly sustainable. The report concludes with a proposal that might address issues of nutrient cycling and environmental justice caused by the current system of CAFO hog production in North Carolina in addition to GHG emissions.