Thank you for your interest in the Phosphorus Innovation Challenge!
Six Proposals Awarded Funding for Stage Two of VPIC:
DVO, Inc. and University of Vermont (UVM) – Chilton, WI – 45,000.00
Thirteen anerobic digester vessels situated statewide will be utilized with enhancements for solids control using Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF) processes and will develop a ‘p-cake’ product that is high in phosphorus for potential nationwide resale that will have a verified and significant value to agriculture.
Rock Dust Local, LLC – Bridport, VT – $25,000.00
Manufacture, apply, and study mineral and mineralized bio-carbon soil amendments (aka Biochar) deployed in the field to manage solution reactive phosphorus (SRP) and nitrogen loss through broadcast field applications, animal bedding admixtures and in-situ filtration media.
Green State Biochar – Barton, VT – $30,000.00
Use of local renewable organic waste materials that are processed in an innovative machine developed in Vermont as a prototype pyrolysis machine that produces a sequestered carbon product called Biochar. This Phosphorus Capture System utilizes this Biochar to act as a filter that efficiently captures the majority of the phosphorus, while producing valuable soil amendment/fertilizer products for local reuse.
Agrilab Technologies Inc. – Enosburg Falls, VT – $50,000.00
Use of a combination of existing phosphorus (P) recovery technologies, composting and drying equipment, and associated best management practices to demonstrate the technical feasibility of stabilizing and adding value to recovered “p-cake” and similar materials.
Agrilab Technologies uses composting and energy captured from the decomposition process to dry and stabilize phosphorus products
Digested Organics – Ann Arbor, MI – $45,000.00
Use ultrafiltration system on a Vermont dairy farm to remove most of the present phosphorus, suspended solids and pathogens in liquid manure, producing a transparent liquid ideal for field application, known as “UF Permeate” (a.k.a. “tea-water”) and a concentrated fertilizer that is readily transportable, known as “UF Concentrate.”
Village of Essex Junction, Chittenden County Solid Waste District and UVM – Essex Junction, VT – $45,000.00
Use of proprietary pipe descaling technology (PDT) to effectively remove phosphorus in Vermont sized wastewater applications. The technology uses an induced electric field of variable amplitude and frequency that can promote precipitation of crystalline minerals (struvite) without the dangerous and damaging adhesion to pipes, pumps or in tanks. The PDT coupled with electric-filtration cell will be employed to enhance phosphorus capture.
Follow this link to see video of the event:
https://www.facebook.com/vtagencyofag/videos/265275220788418/
Follow these links for more information on Stage Two Funding awards:
https://www.facebook.com/vtagencyofag/posts/10160980246630344
http://agriculture.vermont.gov/VPICSTAGE2
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State of Vermont Selects 12 Submissions to Present to VPIC Evaluation Team in September
To view the list of selected proposals click here
Using this innovative method of identifying solutions to problems or challenges, we hope to identify one or more technologies that could help mitigate the impact of phosphorus in our watershed by ensuring that the right amount of phosphorus is applied to the soil at the right time and in the right place, which will in turn minimize losses to our rivers, lakes, ponds and streams.
The Application Period for the Vermont Phosphorus Innovation Challenge has CLOSED.
Stage One Proposals were submitted by July 6, 2018. A total of 27 Proposals were submitted, a list of the Proposals and the submitting organizations can be found here:
Some, or all, of the teams submitting responses to Stage One will be selected to make an in-person presentation to the Evaluation Team on Septmeber 6, 2018. The Evaluation Team will be comprised of subject matter experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and State officials.
On Friday April 27, 2018, Governor Scott Initiated Stage One of the Vermont Phosphorus Innovation Challenge (VPIC)
VPIC RESOURCES
Click Here for Details on the VPIC: Phosphorous Innovation Challenge Brief
Click here for:
Vermont Phosphorus Innovation Challenge - Frequently Asked Question Document (updated June 27, 2018)
TIMELINE
Timeline and details for interested parties are as follows:
- On April 27, 2018, an invitation was issued for proposals to develop a “proof of concept” for processes or technologies that remove phosphorus from manure or other waste streams and make the recovered phosphorus available for beneficial reuse.
- By May 11, 2018, prospective applicants emailed their intent to participate in the challenge to terry.smith@vermont.gov.
- On May 21, 2018, the Administration held a meeting from 1-3 pm at the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Annex with interested parties to field questions and discuss the challenge.
- Stage One proposals were received, via email, by 5pm EST on July 6, 2018.
Some, or all, of the teams submitting responses to Stage One will be selected to make an in-person presentation to the Evaluation Team on Septmeber 6, 2018. The Evaluation Team will be comprised of subject matter experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and State officials.
If you would like to receive information about the Phosphorus Innovation Challenge, please contact terry.smith@vermont.gov
Phosphorous Innovation Challenge Advisory Group:
- Jeanette Brown, Manhattan College
- John Cohn, IBM Corporation
- Jed Davis, Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery Co-operative
- Max Herzog, Cleveland Water Alliance
- Eric Howe, Lake Champlain Basin Program & New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
- Ken Jones, Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development
- Tim Kenney, AI Certain
- Bryan Stubbs, Cleveland Water Alliance
- Guy Roberts, VAAFM
WATCH: Gov. Phil Scott’s Phosphorus Innovation Challenge Press Conference
New Thinking: The Phosphorus Innovation Challenge
