[Digestion] Your help to up-date costs of farm scale AD plants

[Luís Ferreira]

Len,

Thank you very much for your comments and remarks.
I fully agree with you that the technology has not changed that much and 
therefore it would be not expected important performance gains.

I will try to follow your recommendation about AgStar files, my present 
question is what should be the best way to actualise the figures about cost 
that I 'm going to find.
At this moment my required level of precision about prices and costs is not 
the one of a business plan, but to find "round numbers" of different types 
of digesters and plants. Perhaps there aren't and I have really to "scratch 
it from ground".

Many thanks again for your good help.

Best wishes,

Luís




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Len Walde" <sigma at ix.netcom.com>
To: "Luís Ferreira" <lferreira at isa.utl.pt>; <bioenergy at listserv.repp.org>; 
<digestion at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 1:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Digestion] Your help to up-date costs of farm scale AD plants


> Luis:
>
> I my opinion, the plug flow technology has not changed to any great extent 
> over the years so do not be concerned.  The reason it has survived is its 
> simplicity --- plug flow!  You can dress it up with recorders, gauges, and 
> data collectors of all types but it is still the same simple system, that 
> requires a "Hands-on" approach to operate.
>
> I suggest you search the AG STAR files for Leo Langerwerth ( Check 
> Spelling )  as he has continually operated his system since the 1980's, 
> except to clean it out of sand,  about ten years ago. ( +/- ) . Much has 
> been written about Leo's dairy and system, read all you can about and you 
> will get an education in the technology. I doubt Leo will respond to 
> requests for information,  as I  bet he is tired of answering the same 
> questions over and over again!  I know I would if I were in his place ---  
> as I said it is all in the articles.  I think it might be worth your time 
> to visit Durham CA  to see his system first hand -- That I think that Leo 
> will welcome you if asked nicely.  He is a great guy!
>
> As for the financial end of the business, you will have to "crunch" your 
> own numbers, beginning with your business plan built on local costs and 
> economic conditions.  If you need help with this I suggest  you contact a 
> local University with a Business School, and ask for pro bono help or hire 
> a consultant --  ( might be expensive ). If you do your own Business Plan 
> you will get an education worth the effort.  I would!  Search the web for 
> "Business Plan" and you will see what that effort involves.
>
> The above is shared " for what it is worth".  Good luck
>
> Len Walde, P.E.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Luís Ferreira" <lferreira at isa.utl.pt>
> To: <bioenergy at listserv.repp.org>; <digestion at listserv.repp.org>
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 6:39 AM
> Subject: [Digestion] Your help to up-date costs of farm scale AD plants
>
>
> Dear List,
>
> Has some of you probably have already noticed from the last couple of 
> days, I'm trying to learn more about the economics of Farm scale AD Plants 
> based on Plug-flow digesters.
>
> Some of the information available from the AgSTAR program case studies has 
> almost 10 years. Therefore I feel the need to find the present values of 
> these costs to 2007!
>
> I would be very thankfull if I could get your advice (specially comming 
> from those who are working in this matters) about what should be the 
> recommendale interest rate to be used in this up-date of costs, for U.S 
> reality.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Luís Ferreira
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