Jarad Niemi, Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics, serves as a co-PI on the Consortium for Cultivating Human and Naturally reGenerative Enterprises. Among the goals of this grant are to develop the science and economics behind anaerobic digestion to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from perennial grass and winter crops. An issue with digester usage in Iowa is that winter temperatures slow bacteria metabolism causing reduced production of RNG.
A FIRST Lego League team coached by Niemi won the Webster City regional competition, in part for their project on a two-digester solution where an above-ground digester is used in warm months and a below-ground digester is used in cold months to provide RNG year-round. In addition to the team award, Dr. Niemi won the Coach/Mentor Award at the Webster City regional. The team will now compete at the State Championship held on the Iowa State University campus on January 28, 2023. Congratulations to Jarad and the team!
