Energetic and economic analysis of biogas plant with using the dairy industry waste

The aim of this study is to analyse the possibilities of use of waste from dairy production to produce electricity and heat in the process of anaerobic digestion. The analysis covers one of the Polish dairies located in Eastern Poland. The amounts of the substrates produced in analyzed dairy plant will enable the production of approx. 14,785 MWh electricity and 57,815 GJ of heat. This will allow the construction of biogas plant with an electrical power of 1.72 MW. The paper has been stated that the construction of biogas plants for environmental and social reasons is beneficial. •Milk production is growing continuously in Poland after entrance to EU.•Dairy industry waste for biogas production in AD was investigated.•Analyzed dairy plant can produce 14,785 MWh electricity and 57,815 GJ of the heat in cogeneration unit.•In actual market situation biogas plants without public funding are unprofitable.