Four Season Biogas heated with Woodchips

In NBI’s first year, we met Ezra Ward of Leverett, both a skilled forester and an impressive DIY-er. He came to our first workshop at UMass taught by Kathy Puffer, but after visiting his rustic woodland homestead, we were soon learning from him. Ezra built his own digester using an IBC container (think maple syrup tank), and keeps it warm and in operation year round by covering it in woodchips. This method of heating using compost, named for French inventor Jean Pain, warmed the digester to 90? even in Winter. Digesters need internal temps over 68? to make biogas.