This is the foundation for everything operators and anyone in the biogas industry needs to know. As such, almost every course will include and start with this module. We’ll cover the 4 steps of AD including the actual chemistry and biology so you know what to test for; vocabulary and concepts like BOD and VFA/Alk ratios; how to monitor AD performance; and how the primary characteristics of different digesters require a different approach to their operations.

This module is focused on “viewing” all substrate as how it is actually Potential Energy for the digester. The view is from the context of the bugs that actually perform the work. When a $45B industry is based on a group of bacteria and organisms, the "bugs", it is good to think like a bug. Highlights of this session are focused on estimating biogas production and understanding decay of substrates.

This module consistently ranks as the most valuable by our past students. For those of you who haven’t had math in a while, we are providing several video learning opportunities in the weeks leading up to the in-person session. For the in-person we’ll start slowly talking about how to keep track of units when doing your calculations, imperial/metric conversions, how to monitor overloads, converting biogas into energy values, and business considerations like determining the value of heat and electricity compared to renewable natural gas. Finally, we’ll walk you through how to determine whether you should accept a truckload of material that shows up at your door. Will the material make money or will it cost you more to deal with the water because there’s so little biogas potential in its contents?

This is a highly rewarding session and will add considerable depth to the operator's tool box if the opportunity is taken. A must for passing the certification test.

Although emphasis is often and rightly placed on the biological aspects of digester operation, it is important to remember that an AD system is primarily a MECHANICAL SYSTEM. Understanding how to make sure the mechanical systems are operating optimally is critical. We’ll cover receiving material, conveyance, storage and pre-treatment; then mixing, heating and gas handling; finally, we’ll take you through digestate separation, and handling the separated liquids and solids.

Some of our expert operators think we should spend a day and half on hydraulics because as operators, you’re handling hydraulic issues every day. But we’ve condensed the essentials of pumps, mixers, monitoring systems and more into a fraction of that time to raise your knowledge quickly and effectively.

You’ll learn directly from the experts who have experience running a lab to understand how to use lab work to help digester performance and to trouble shoot issues. Plus, we’ll help you learn how to apply the results from the lab tests your order and what it all actually means.

Odor management and prevention starts and ends with good digester operations. We’ll show you which operations in particular most relate to odor issues so you know what to focus on first. This module is often interlaced with story time—anecdotes of what went wrong at some digesters and how those issues could have been prevented or management more effectively. If you’d like to dive into this issue more, the ABC has a day long course called “Odor Management at Anaerobic Digestion Facilities” which is available on-demand, anytime online (https://americanbiogascouncil.org/odor-management-at-anaerobic-digestion-facilities/)

The safety module usually lasts a full day. We’ve offered to past students to try to reduce the time we spend on this important topic, but universally, we’re told, all this time is needed. We’ll cover H2S dangers, lockout/tagout, operating in confined spaces, rescue procedures, hot work, flammable and explosive properties, hazard communications, process safety and security, MSDSes and more.

This session is considered the most popular year in and year out. No matter if your site is producing renewable natural gas or electricity, the raw biogas must be pre-treated and either consumed or pass on for off-site use. This module covers high level H2S removal, biogas upgrading to RNG/pipeline quality, engines, and managing both gas and electrical interconnections with the local utility.

In this module, we want to position you to maximize the revenue you can generate from digestate. We’ll cover the mechanics of different liquid/solid separation systems, nutrient recovery technologies and how to get your digestate certified so your customers know they can trust the safety and agronomic value of the digestate they’re receiving.

For anyone handling waste, vectors are a common issue. We’ll cover advice for birds, flies, rodents, varmints, and the control and housekeeping necessary for their prevention.

This module covers what most digester operators need to disclose regularly to stay in compliance. We’ll also cover the reporting needed to participate in lucrative programs like the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

Includes information on foundational principles of maintenance strategy, specifically tailored for biogas plants. We'll explore how to establish effective maintenance systems, leverage Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for optimized operations, understand the nuances of Operational Expenditure (OpEx) within a biogas context, and introduce key maintenance strategies like preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance to ensure long-term asset health and performance.

This module is both an application of the content that you’ve learned in the previous modules and preparation for the tour this afternoon. It’s often loud on site, so we’ll cover some of the technical details when it’s easier to hear to enhance the value of your experience on site.

A new session but certainly timely and important for all operators, no matter if your site is upgrading or not. Lessons learned and a good understanding of the safety issues specific to biogas upgrading are presented. For landfill and digestion system operators.

To complete the training for ABC Operator Certification, operators must complete ABC Operator School. The full course includes 9 modules critical to successful digester operation: fundamentals of anaerobic digestion, 4 steps of digestion, vocabulary, AD tests and reactor types, applying the fundamentals to operations, understanding and predicting upsets, math for digesters, mechanical systems, performing daily site checks, preventative maintenance plans, hydraulics (pumps, mixers, etc.), lab testing-what does it all mean?, odor management/prevention, safety, gas utilization, H2S removal, RNG production, and engines. To register for the next course and find out more, click here.

To be eligible for ABC Operator Certification, operators must show proof of 2,000 hours (about 1-year) of experience in an operations role for one or more anaerobic digesters. To prove your hours, you will need to provide two documents:

1. The first document must be a letter from a supervisor indicating that you have completed 2,000 or more hours at a digester facility. This document must contain contact information of your supervisor.
2. The second document can be one of these two types:
   a. A timesheet or record of hours
   b. A second letter from a different supervisor or digester employee. This letter would also need to include contact information for the second supervisor or digester employee. To check if other documentation is allowable, please email info@americanbiogascouncil.org.

To be eligible for ABC Operator Certification, operators must have taken the OSHA Lockout/Tagout and Confined Space Entry courses and the Red Cross First Aid training. These courses are included in your registration if you have taken Operator School after February 2025. If you attended Operator School before February 2025, you must have taken ABC’s Safety Module (Module 8).

To check if other documentation is allowable, to get the login for the safety courses, or if you have any additional question, please email hanna@americanbiogascouncil.org.

ABC’s Operators Exam has 2 parts and is administered after the above requirements have been met. The exam tests operators on critical knowledge needed to operate a digester safely and productively. The best study materials for the exam are those distributed during Operator School. The two parts of the exam include:

1. Multiple choice (65 questions covering digester operations and safety)
2. Math (12 open questions)