A colleague of mine sent me this article and I thought it was pretty interesting...
"Dairy farm owner, Rob Hilarides, converted two heavy-duty diesel trucks to run on clean-burning bio-methane produced from his cows’ manure. Using an anaerobic-lagoon digester that processes the run-off of nearly 10,000 cows, the project generates 226,000 cubic feet of bio-gas per day and enough fuel to run two heavy duty trucks that make daily runs. This has reduced the dairy’s diesel consumption by 650 gallons a day. Rob intends to convert five pick-up trucks to use the same fuel.The project is the result of a public-private partnership aimed at encouraging the use of renewable bio-methane produced from the waste of food processing and dairies. In June 2006, California’s legislature allotted $25 million dollars in grants to encourage the integration of alternative fuels into California’s market. Projects from the grants are now coming online and examples can be seen throughout the state."
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr021109b.htm
Dairy trucks powered by cow waste! That is awesome! Taking a really stinky waste and creating something useful with it. With alternative energy methods, not only are we decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, we are reducing our greenhouse gases and VOC emissions. If only I take some of my boyfriend's gases to power my BMW. I would feed him broccoli and sausage all day long, capture the gases, and use the "bio-gas" as fuel.. He's hating me right now.
On a more serious note, renewable energy is here to stay. We've seen a huge increase in pholtovoltaic, wind farm, green chemistry, and biofuel companies in the last decade. With Obama's new Green Plan, along his promises of jobs, profits, and sustainble green energy industries, there will be an increased awareness of renewable/alternative energy methods and a large amount of dollars to be invested. I will be at the Renewable Energy Technology Conference and Exhibit at the end of this month. I am excited to learn about RE emerging technologies and what's in store for us. I'll be at booth #625. I'll also have Guitar Hero World Tour :)
http://retech2009.com/
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LOL...poor George! That was hilarious Dolores Guintu. While using sh*t to power vehicles is humorous, it is also encouraging to know that there are so many resources that can be used as renewable energy.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I wonder what I can power with Rosie's poop??