Transitioning Horse Manure from Waste to Resource
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Transitioning Horse Manure from Waste to Resources: A Sustainable Energy Approach for Los Angeles Equestrian Districts of Glendale Riverside Rancho, Burbank Equestrian District, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District
J.DeCarli, March 2025 SUMMARY
Research conducted in the United States and Europe has demonstrated that improper storage and management of horse manure can lead to increased ammonia emissions, particularly under wet or anaerobic conditions. This volatilization occurs during the breakdown of urea by urease enzymes released by bacteria in the manure. In urban horse communities such as those in Glendale, Burbank, and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, there is a potential solution that shifts the focus from costly manure removal and storage to utilizing horse manure as a biomass resource for energy generation. With an average 1,000-pound horse producing 8-10 tons of manure annually—equivalent to approximately 15 megawatt hours of energy—manure from just two horses can power a single-family home for a year. If effectively harnessed, manure from the estimated 1,500 horses in these communities could provide energy for approximately 750 homes annually. Further analysis and feasibility studies are required, but this innovative approach could transform horse manure into a sustainable contribution towards renewable energy, while also mitigating ammonia emissions. |
Studies in the United States and in European countries have shown that horse manure storage accounts for increased ammonia emissions. When manure is improperly stored and managed, depending on wet or anaerobic conditions, it can result in volatilization of ammonia. The emissions of ammonia can occur during storage during the breakdown of urea in the manure by urease enzymes, which then are released by bacteria. While proper manure management and storage can help to mitigate, by regular removal, aerobic composting, moisture management, and manure covering. However, as with many horse communities, in the Glendale, Burbank, and the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, rather than the expense of removal and storage, and potential risk of ammonia emissions, they can utilize horse manure for its biomass potential, while reducing ammonia emission risk (Barahone and Almulhim, 2024; Da Lio, et al, 2021; Dickson, 2019; Manir et al., 2023; Poo power: Horse manure from World Cup powers Helsinki homes, 2019; Young, et al., 2012).
By taking advantage of newer solutions of bedding and manure management for residential barns, and commercial stables, in Glendale and Burbank, including the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (and the Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District), can utilize various types of portable horse manure collection from stables than incinerated at portable or stationary power plants to create environmentally friendly energy sources (Fortum, 2017; Namuli and Pillay, 2012). The average 1,000-pound horse produces between 8-10 tons of manure annually. Studies have shown that this is equivalent to 15 megawatthours of energy. Therefore, manure from two horses can power a single-family home for one year (Fortum, 2017; Taner, 2019). With an estimated 1,500 horses in the rancho communities, this could provide power to 750 single-family homes each year. This could provide energy to the broader rancho community. While further analysis and feasibility studies are needed to strategically validate its efficacy, the urban horse communities of the Glendale Riverside Rancho, Burbank Equestrian District, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District, could utilize horse manure for energy purposes as a sustainable contribution to renewable energy (Da Lio, et al, 2021; Renovables, 2024; Svanberg, et al., 2017).
By taking advantage of newer solutions of bedding and manure management for residential barns, and commercial stables, in Glendale and Burbank, including the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (and the Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District), can utilize various types of portable horse manure collection from stables than incinerated at portable or stationary power plants to create environmentally friendly energy sources (Fortum, 2017; Namuli and Pillay, 2012). The average 1,000-pound horse produces between 8-10 tons of manure annually. Studies have shown that this is equivalent to 15 megawatthours of energy. Therefore, manure from two horses can power a single-family home for one year (Fortum, 2017; Taner, 2019). With an estimated 1,500 horses in the rancho communities, this could provide power to 750 single-family homes each year. This could provide energy to the broader rancho community. While further analysis and feasibility studies are needed to strategically validate its efficacy, the urban horse communities of the Glendale Riverside Rancho, Burbank Equestrian District, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District, could utilize horse manure for energy purposes as a sustainable contribution to renewable energy (Da Lio, et al, 2021; Renovables, 2024; Svanberg, et al., 2017).
References
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- Da Lio, L., Castello, P., Gianfelice, G., Cavalli, R., & Canu, P. (2021b). Effective energy exploitation from horse manure combustion. Waste Management, 128, 243–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.04.035
- Dickson, M. (2018, August 8). Turning manure into renewable energy. Equine Wellness Magazine. https://equinewellnessmagazine.com/using-horse-manure-for-renewable-energy/
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- Namuli, R., & Pillay, P. (2012, July 1). Maximisation of revenue from biomass waste to energy conversion systems on rural farms. https://doi.org/10.1109/pesgm.2012.6345587
- Poo power: Horse manure from World Cup powers Helsinki homes. (2019, October 28). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-equestrian-manure-energy-idUSKBN1X70QX/
- Renovables, E. (2024, June 14). How horse manure is transforming renewable energy. Renewable Energy Magazine, at the Heart of Clean Energy Journalism. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/rose-morrison/how-horse-manure-is-transforming-renewable-energy-20240614
- Svanberg, M., Finnsgård, C., Flodén, J., & Lundgren, J. (2017). Analyzing animal waste-to-energy supply chains: The case of horse manure. Renewable Energy, 129, 830–837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.002
- Tanner, J. (2019, October 28). Horsepower, literally: Finnish horse show runs on manure. Tech Xplore. https://techxplore.com/news/2019-10-horsepower-literally-finnish-horse-manure.html
- Young, S., Sproul, A. B., Bruce, A. G., & School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales. (2012). Potential for Biogas Production and Emissions Reduction at Equestrian Centre. https://apvi.org.au/solar-research-conference/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4-Young_peer_reviewed.pdf
Suggested Citation
DeCarli, J. (2025). Transitioning horse manure from waste to resources: A Sustainable energy approach For Los Angeles Equestrian Districts of Glendale Riverside Rancho, Burbank Equestrian District, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District. Public Health Behavior Solutions. https://www.publichealthbehaviorsolutions.com/horsemanure.html
DeCarli, J. (2025). Transitioning horse manure from waste to resources: A Sustainable energy approach For Los Angeles Equestrian Districts of Glendale Riverside Rancho, Burbank Equestrian District, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, and Los Angeles Atwater Equestrian District. Public Health Behavior Solutions. https://www.publichealthbehaviorsolutions.com/horsemanure.html
