Converting livestock waste to electricity

The conversion of organic carbons found in livestock waste for energy generation through microbial electrolysis.

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catalysing research

Microbial electrolysis can convert organic carbons or carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. It is a highly attractive future green hydrogen production technology: it produces higher yields compared with other biological technologies at significantly lower external energy input. Further, it can produce hydrogen using a wide variety of organic waste, including livestock and other agricultural wastes, and can help to decontaminate these. There is broad agreement that the potential for energy generation from microbial electrolysis has considerable potential, but substantial challenges remain to be addressed, including the development of methods for large-scale application in real time and increasing power output, and sourcing and delivering appropriate feedstock streams for their operation.

Food System Area

agricultural inputs & primary production practiceswasteeducational, outreach and empowerment

The overarching issue addressed by this innovation revolves around mitigating the environmental footprint associated with animal agriculture, thereby contributing to the production of carbon-neutral energy. Livestock waste is not only a source of air and water pollution but also a greenhouse gas emitter, particularly nitrous oxides. The processing of livestock waste stands to alleviate these environmental challenges while simultaneously serving as a valuable energy resource.

Problem area

reducing agricultural footprintincreasing [system] productivity

What impact could it have?

Human health impact

low

Direct human health benefits are anticipated to be modest, with the possibility of indirect advantages associated with electricity generation and the secondary benefit of reduced contamination in livestock waste streams.

Environmental impact

medium - high

The innovation has the potential to yield medium to large environmental impacts, primarily through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from waste and its contribution to carbon-neutral energy generation. Additionally, it could lead to a decrease in environmental pollution stemming from waste.

Livelihood impact

high

The scale of production plays a pivotal role in determining the livelihood impacts, with the potential for significant income increases resulting from energy production. These improvements could also cascade into enhanced food security.

Socio-cultural impact

low

Socio-cultural impacts are anticipated to be minor, with few foreseen social acceptability constraints.

Equity impact

low

The potential equity impacts are relatively small, contingent on the potential for elite capture of benefits. Multiple pathways and modes of production could influence the development of this innovation.

Potential for transformative impact

medium

This innovation holds the potential to be an essential advancement, with implications reaching into the energy sector.

What factors influence scaling?

With a strong emphasis on sustainability and resource efficiency, investors are increasingly drawn to technologies that can convert waste into valuable resources. Such investments align with the global push for circular economies and demonstrate a commitment to addressing waste management challenges while creating new economic opportunities. However, economic viability, and thus investment trends, depends on how innovations as such can be made financially attractive, with incentives and risk-subsidies, for larger-scale implementation.

The innovation should be integrated with other advancements related to the handling, storage, transportation, and pre-treatment of organic waste streams, alongside innovations in renewable energy storage.

The innovation's potential impact spans a global scale, extending to all types of livestock production systems.

Anticipated uptake is expected to follow a phased approach, with initial adoption primarily driven by large-scale, intensive producers. This inclination is primarily attributed to the inherent technical complexities and associated costs of implementing this innovation, potentially limiting its adoption among smaller-scale producers.

The primary disruption is foreseen in the realm of primary producers, while other stakeholders are likely to experience minimal disruption.

Numerous key players are actively involved in the research and development of microbial electrolysis technology.

The innovation's net effects on greenhouse gas emissions may lead to increases, particularly if livestock numbers are not concurrently reduced.

Currently, there are no quantitative studies available for this innovation, primarily due to the ongoing challenges in scaling and economic feasibility.

waste to ammonia conversion via gasification and Haber Bosch process transforming plastic waste and tires into eco friendly fertilizer

Where is acceleration most needed?

Accelerator scores reflect the degree of action needed across eight key accelerators of change that can enable an innovation to scale. A higher score signals that greater effort and support are needed in that area to unlock uptake at scale. Click on each accelerator to see what’s been achieved and what still needs attention.

Building Trust

Low

Building Trust

It is unlikely that building trust among stakeholders will pose a significant challenge to the uptake of this innovation.

Transforming Mindsets

Low

Transforming Mindsets

Transforming mindsets and perceptions is also unlikely to constitute a substantial obstacle to the adoption of this innovation.

Enabling Social License

Low - Medium

Enabling Social License

Establishing social license, while not highly challenging, may still require some effort to ensure broad acceptance and support for the innovation's implementation.

Ensuring Stable Finance

High

Ensuring Stable Finance

The cost of the innovation remains unknown, primarily because appropriate technology at scale is still in development. However, it is likely that securing green and socially responsible public and private financing will be imperative for its success.

Designing Market Incentives

High

Designing Market Incentives

To encourage adoption, particularly among startups and early adopters, market incentives will be essential to help distribute the costs and risks associated with the innovation. This could involve early-stage efforts to enhance the costing of the environmental externalities targeted by the innovation, ultimately boosting its competitiveness.

Changing Policies and Regulations

Medium

Changing Policies and Regulations

There may be a need to adjust the regulatory environment to establish safe operating standards for the collection and pre-treatment of livestock waste streams, although the specifics are uncertain.

Safeguarding Against Undesirable Effects

High

Safeguarding Against Undesirable Effects

Vigilant monitoring of the innovation's impacts, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions and contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, will be crucial to ensure its effectiveness.

Developing Transition Pathways

High

Developing Transition Pathways

Identifying the sequence of actions necessary for broader and equitable adoption of the innovation is of paramount importance, and this process is expected to be high with regards to significance and complexity.

Reference

Yang et al., 2021. A review on self-sustainable microbial electrolysis cells for electro-biohydrogen production via coupling with carbon-neutral renewable energy technologies. Bioresource Technology 320, 124363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124363

Pandit S et al., 2021. Agricultural waste and wastewater as feedstock for bioelectricity generation using microbial fuel cells: Recent advances. Fermentation 7(3), 169 https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation7030169