Kia Ora Piggery Methane Capture and Destruction Project

The Kia Ora Piggery Methane Capture and Destruction Project is a waste management and emissions reduction project located at the Kia Ora Piggery in Yarrawalla, Victoria. Situated approximately 70km west of Echuca and 80km north of Bendigo, the facility operates within the Loddon Shire, a region primarily defined by mixed dryland farming, cropping, and grazing. The project was registered in March 2014 and operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Destruction of Methane Generated from Manure in Piggeries-1.1) Methodology Determination 2013.

The project involves the capture and combustion of methane gas generated from pig manure. Standard piggery operations often utilize anaerobic lagoons to treat effluent; however, open lagoons release significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This project mitigates these emissions by installing covers over the anaerobic lagoons (Covered Anaerobic Ponds or CAPs) to trap the biogas. The captured gas is then cleaned and combusted to generate renewable electricity and heat for the facility.

Environmentally, the Yarrawalla region is characterized by a semi-arid climate with relatively low annual rainfall, typically around 400mm to 500mm, and high evaporation rates. The local terrain is generally flat with heavy clay soils, specifically Grey and Brown Vertosols (cracking clays) and Red Sodosols, which are common in Northern Victoria's riverine plains. These soil conditions are well-suited for the construction of effluent ponds due to their natural impermeability.

A notable feature of this project is its innovative use of technology. Reports indicate the proponent utilized adapted second-hand Ford Falcon engines to act as generators, converting the captured biogas into electricity. The system, developed in partnership with Inoplex, allows the piggery to offset a significant portion of its grid energy consumption. The facility houses approximately 25,000 pigs across multiple sites. The project's carbon abatement contract (CAC121137) was completed in May 2023, marking the successful conclusion of its primary crediting period under the Emissions Reduction Fund.