I thought this might interest some people. Bob
K
| Renewable fuel made from beef by-product |
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By Sustainable Conservation
Source: AScribe Newswire
SAN
FRANCISCO, Calif. (AScribe Newswire) -- Methane gas derived from dairy
manure offers a substitute for natural gas that can power motor vehicles,
according to a study released today by a collaboration of energy, dairy
and environmental groups. Known as biomethane, the gas is entirely
renewable and environmentally friendly, and can be produced locally.
"There are 8.5 million cows in the United States, each producing
enough manure to potentially generate about 30 cubic feet of biomethane
per day, which could replace significant amounts of natural gas at today's
prices," said Allen Dusault, Biofuels Project Manager for Sustainable
Conservation. "If used as vehicle fuel, biomethane could power a million
cars."
The new study, "Biomethane from Dairy Waste: A Sourcebook
for the Production and Use of Renewable Natural Gas in California," offers
the most effective and economical technologies for producing biomethane,
as well as specific applications and markets for the gas.
"This is
no 'cow-pie in the sky' solution," said Dusault. "The technologies for
converting dairy manure to biomethane are already used at several
landfills around the United States. Sweden has 20 plants producing
biomethane and runs 2,300 buses on it. As natural gas prices continue to
rise, biomethane fuel is becoming cost-competitive with natural gas and
diesel, and is much cheaper than hydrogen. Switching to biomethane
improves air quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves water
quality and strengthens rural economies."
"It is not actually the
manure we'll put in the tank," said Paul Martin, Environmental Services
Director of Western United Dairymen. "We'll use the gas that forms when
manure is processed in a methane digester and then upgraded to vehicle
fuel quality. More than a dozen methane digesters are operating or under
construction on dairy farms in California. Dairy farmers in New York,
Wisconsin and other states are also discovering the economic,
environmental and community benefits of locally produced energy."
Currently, some of the methane produced on dairy farms is used to
generate electricity. However, the methane digesters can be upgraded to
make biomethane for vehicle fuel. As technology advances, market forces
evolve and infrastructure is created, biomethane may become a viable
vehicle fuel on the farm and/or for local sale and distribution.
California has particularly good reasons for using biomethane. The
state is home to more than 1.7 million dairy cows, with a technically
feasible potential for producing about 18 billion cubic feet of methane a
year, equivalent to over 150 million gallons of gasoline. The San Joaquin
Valley, where most of the cows reside, has some of the nation's most
polluted air. A dairy biomethane industry along Highway 99 could serve as
the start for a renewable fuel highway, possibly evolving in the future
into a 'renewable hydrogen highway,' should it prove advantageous to
convert biomethane to hydrogen.
"Unlike ethanol and biodiesel,
biomethane receives no direct government funding or incentives. To quickly
achieve the full potential of biomethane, the federal and state
governments must support development of the technology, markets,
programmatic infrastructure and regulatory environment that will allow
rapid use of this practical, domestic energy resource," said Michael
Marsh, CEO, Western United Dairymen.
"Biomethane from Dairy Waste:
A Sourcebook for the Production and Use of Renewable Natural Gas in
California" represents a collaboration among experts from a wide range of
specialties, including advanced transportation technologies, alternative
fuels, dairy operations and environmental impacts. The study was funded by
a grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development. Project
partners include Sustainable Conservation, Western United Dairymen,
Institute for Environmental Management, Great Valley Center, CalStart and
RCM Digesters.
The study is available at www.suscon.org and
http://www.westernuniteddairymen.com/USDA
percent20Grant/USDAgrantfinalreport.htm.
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ABOUT
SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION: Sustainable Conservation partners with business,
agriculture and government leaders to find practical ways that the private
sector can protect clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems. The
independent nonprofit organization leads powerful collaborations that
produce lasting solutions and sustain the vitality of both the economy and
the environment. For more information, visit www.suscon.org.
ABOUT
WESTERN UNITED DAIRYMEN: Western United Dairymen is a voluntary membership
organization representing more than 60 percent of the milk produced in
California. The organization provides resources in labor law,
environmental regulations, pricing and public policy issues. For more
information, visit www.westernuniteddairymen.com.
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