Green Options » biogas http://greenoptions.com/tag/biogas Posts tagged 'biogas' Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:05:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Netherlands Opens Cow Dung Powered Plant http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/14/netherlands-opens-cow-dung-powered-plant/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/14/netherlands-opens-cow-dung-powered-plant/#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:05:45 +0000 Beth Graddon-Hodgson http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/14/netherlands-opens-cow-dung-powered-plant/

It seems that the more time that goes on, the more we see poop being converted into a useful energy source. The latest nation to jump on board this new green trend in alternative energy is the Netherlands with the opening of a cow dung powered plant this Friday.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/14/netherlands-opens-cow-dung-powered-plant/feed/ SAB Miller Uses Brewery Waste from Alrode Brewery in South Africa to Reduce Carbon Footprint http://ecoworldly.com/2009/11/07/sab-miller-uses-brewery-waste-from-alrode-brewery-in-south-africa-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/11/07/sab-miller-uses-brewery-waste-from-alrode-brewery-in-south-africa-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:30:07 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/11/07/sab-miller-uses-brewery-waste-from-alrode-brewery-in-south-africa-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/ SAB Miller, South African grown, second largest brewer in the world has introduced anaerobic digestion to treat the waste leaving its Alrode Brewery in Gauteng, South Africa. Anaerobic fermentation of organic material produces methane, which is used to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel based energy.

Trappist Brewhouse

Copper brewhouse in a Trappist brewery

Brewery Waste & Biogas

In the brewery the waste is a collection of unavoidable losses of carbohydrate and protein rich materials, which would otherwise be sold as beer or byproduct and the large quantities of water used to maintain a hygienic operation.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/11/07/sab-miller-uses-brewery-waste-from-alrode-brewery-in-south-africa-to-reduce-carbon-footprint/feed/ Lesedi Biogas to Build $15m Manure-to-Power Plant in Heidelberg, South Africa. http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/20/lesedi-biogas-to-build-15m-manure-to-power-plant-in-heidelberg-south-africa/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/20/lesedi-biogas-to-build-15m-manure-to-power-plant-in-heidelberg-south-africa/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:13:00 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/20/lesedi-biogas-to-build-15m-manure-to-power-plant-in-heidelberg-south-africa/ Anaerobic LagoonsDairy farm anaerobic lagoons without covers

The first large scale biogas plant linked to a beef feedlot, could make a more significant contribution to renewable energy in South Africa than the planned 3.8 MW of electricity, by advancing the technology in South Africa.

The Business

Independent power producer (IPP) Lesedi Biogas Project (LBP) is planning to build one of the world’s largest open-air feedlot manure-to-power plants, in Heidelberg, near Johannesburg, South Africa. Such plants use the anaerobic fermentation (bacterial fermentation of organic waste, with little or no oxygen present) to produce a methane rich gas which can be used to produce electricity or burn for heat.

The plant will be situated at the Karan Beef feedlot, which will supply the manure from its feedlot to the LBP. This would initially amount to 110,000 tons per year of manure, which would allow the production of 3,8 MW of base-load power reaching 6,2 MW of peak power.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/20/lesedi-biogas-to-build-15m-manure-to-power-plant-in-heidelberg-south-africa/feed/ 7 Odd Food-for-Fuel Solutions http://gas2.org/2009/09/07/7-odd-food-for-fuel-solutions/ http://gas2.org/2009/09/07/7-odd-food-for-fuel-solutions/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:11:08 +0000 Jerry James Stone http://gas2.org/2009/09/07/7-odd-food-for-fuel-solutions/ Using food as a resource in biofuel production is one of the biggest mistakes our country could make. And while we all shake our heads at the idea of corn ethanol…what about using turkey innards? Or Mountain Dew for that matter.

Shaq Wants Your Leftover Beer and Wine for Making Ethanol

First, who ever has leftover alcohol except maybe these guys? The Shaq-backed MicroFueler is a 250-gallon tank for organic feedstock, such as waste wine and beer, that converts it into pure ethanol. It also doubles as a fuel pump and the only waste product is distilled water.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/09/07/7-odd-food-for-fuel-solutions/feed/ Save the Earth Science Experiments: Book Review http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/10/save-the-earth-science-experiments-book-review/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/10/save-the-earth-science-experiments-book-review/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:18:07 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/10/save-the-earth-science-experiments-book-review/ “The Experiment- How do environmental conditions affect the amount of biogas produced?” If you are homeschooling like I am, entering a science fair or simply looking for a fun way to teach your children about our impact on this planet then Save the Earth Science Experiments, Science Fair Projects for Eco-Kids by Elizabeth Snoke Harris is the book for you.

This fun book (which I purchased through a Scholastic flier) is filled with experiments to get you thinking (and by YOU I do mean parents as well as the kids).   The book begins with an introduction on problems occurring in the world which impact our global well being.   It is then followed by a section on how to put together an effective Science Fair Project and more than 20 experiments that are related to our current environmental concerns.  Throughout the book, you will find short stories and facts which detail a concern or in “The High Price of Ethanol” points out that a solution (biofuels) we think is better, is actually just as damaging.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/10/save-the-earth-science-experiments-book-review/feed/ San Jose Inches Closer to Reaching Goal of 100 Percent Energy Independence http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/06/17/san-jose-inches-closer-to-reaching-goal-of-100-percent-energy-independence/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/06/17/san-jose-inches-closer-to-reaching-goal-of-100-percent-energy-independence/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:59:10 +0000 Ruedigar Matthes http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/06/17/san-jose-inches-closer-to-reaching-goal-of-100-percent-energy-independence/

San Jose, CA - Achieving a goal of 100 percent energy independence is a little closer for San Jose thanks to a momentous move by the City Council today. The City Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop potential lease terms and guidelines for developing an organics-to energy bio-gas facility.

The bio-gas facility, planned to be constructed and operated by Zanker Road Biogas, will be based on a 40-acre site near the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plan. The proposed facility would also be bound on either side by two solid waste recovery and recycling facilities owned and operated by Zanker Road Resource Management, Ltd.

The MOU, which was authorized today, will set forth the guidelines and work-plan for the potential lease terms of the bio-gas project. Pending successful negotiations for the MOU, San Jose will issue a lease to Zero Waste Energy Development Company, Inc., a partnership between GreenWaste Recovery and their sister company, Zanker Road Resource Management.

This project would also see the cooperation of GreenWaste and Harvest Power, Inc., a company that provides leading technology and project development capabilities for harnessing the renewable energy in organic waste.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/06/17/san-jose-inches-closer-to-reaching-goal-of-100-percent-energy-independence/feed/ 15 Year Old Invents Complete Algae Energy System http://cleantechnica.com/2009/06/09/15-year-old-invents-complete-algae-energy-system/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/06/09/15-year-old-invents-complete-algae-energy-system/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:39:37 +0000 Derek Markham http://cleantechnica.com/2009/06/09/15-year-old-invents-complete-algae-energy-system/ 15 year old Javier Fernández-Han invented a truly innovative solution to meeting the basic needs of many of the world’s poor, and won Ashoka’s Invent Your World Challenge with his algae energy system, called VERSATILE. His holistic approach uses an efficient, modular system to meet multiple needs.

“An invention that is narrowly focused on solving a single problem often inadvertently creates more problems because nature is highly complex and interconnected.” - Javier Fernandez-Han

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/06/09/15-year-old-invents-complete-algae-energy-system/feed/ The Missing Link: Chains Are a Smart Move for Tyrolean Food Waste Recycler http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/05/the-missing-link-chains-a-smart-move-for-tyrolean-food-waste-recycler/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/05/the-missing-link-chains-a-smart-move-for-tyrolean-food-waste-recycler/#comments Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:03:39 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/05/the-missing-link-chains-a-smart-move-for-tyrolean-food-waste-recycler/ New food waste shredder uses chains to boost efficiency.If the experience of one Tyrolean farm in the village of Schlitters, Austria is any indication, food waste recycling is in for a big step up.  The farm just added a biogas plant to its operations, using a new design that can boost methane yields from biogas by 30%.  The secret?  That’s where the missing link comes in.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/04/05/the-missing-link-chains-a-smart-move-for-tyrolean-food-waste-recycler/feed/ New Biogas Effort Launched in Manure Wars http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/07/new-biogaseffort-launched-in-manure-wars/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/07/new-biogaseffort-launched-in-manure-wars/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:56:28 +0000 Tina Casey http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/07/new-biogaseffort-launched-in-manure-wars/ Pigs and other farm animals produce greenhouse gassesWhen it comes to methane gas emissions and the impact on global warming, one’s thoughts naturally turn to the barrage of untreated manure unleashed by factory farms.  Methane is also an issue for small farms, especially the growing number of start-ups with little spare cash to invest in equipment.  To the rescue: a new breakthrough in biogas treatment that promises to pour some much needed cold water on methane emissions from factory farms, while giving the small-farm sector a chance to have their cake and eat it, too.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/07/new-biogaseffort-launched-in-manure-wars/feed/ “Poop Humour” Counterproductive to Biogas Technology http://ecoworldly.com/2009/02/08/%e2%80%9cpoop-humour%e2%80%9d-counterproductive-to-biogas-technology/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/02/08/%e2%80%9cpoop-humour%e2%80%9d-counterproductive-to-biogas-technology/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:41:48 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/02/08/%e2%80%9cpoop-humour%e2%80%9d-counterproductive-to-biogas-technology/ The biogas process, which produces fuel from animal and human waste, is prompting many supposedly amusing posts that could have a negative effect. Googling “biogas and poop” gives 12 800 hits including The Power of Poop, California Cow Poop Power and Turning Cow Poop into Car Power. This is counter productive as it distracts from the potential that biogas holds for both developing and developed countries.

Bacteria

Besides the comical slant of the titles, it is surprising that biogas is often presented as something amazing & unknown although it has been around for hundreds of years, is used in tens of millions of rural household and is a significant contributor to Europe’s renewable energy production.

Biogas - Amazing Natural Technology

The fermentation of organic material such as biomass, manure, sewage, farm waste, municipal waste, green waste and energy crops in the absence of air produces biogas. The same anaerobic fermentation produces swamp, marsh and landfill methane.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/02/08/%e2%80%9cpoop-humour%e2%80%9d-counterproductive-to-biogas-technology/feed/ City to Pipe Biogas from Farms to Power Recycling Plant http://sustainablog.org/2008/11/20/city-to-pipe-biogas-from-farms-to-power-recycling-plant/ http://sustainablog.org/2008/11/20/city-to-pipe-biogas-from-farms-to-power-recycling-plant/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:27:32 +0000 Alex Felsinger http://sustainablog.org/2008/11/20/city-to-pipe-biogas-from-farms-to-power-recycling-plant/

After years of debate and planning, the St. Paul, MN city council has voted unanimously to move forward with a unique plan to produce biogas from manure and ethanol waste in rural farms and pump it miles to power an enormous paper recycling plant.

The energy-efficiency of recycling paper is not the best, so this plan is a welcome alternative-fuel twist to the standard process.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://sustainablog.org/2008/11/20/city-to-pipe-biogas-from-farms-to-power-recycling-plant/feed/ Zoo’s Poo Could Fuel a New Toronto Biogas Facility http://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/16/zoo%e2%80%99s-poo-could-fuel-a-new-toronto-biogas-facility/ http://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/16/zoo%e2%80%99s-poo-could-fuel-a-new-toronto-biogas-facility/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:50:29 +0000 Alex Felsinger http://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/16/zoo%e2%80%99s-poo-could-fuel-a-new-toronto-biogas-facility/

The Toronto Zoo says their 5,000 animals produce enough dung to easily cover the costs of the proposed $13 million biogas-to-power facility within five years.

The plant would produce enough electricity for not only the zoo, but thousands of Toronto households. Similar operations that convert farm animal and human waste into biogas are already in place across the world.

But where does a zoo come up with $13 million dollars?

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/16/zoo%e2%80%99s-poo-could-fuel-a-new-toronto-biogas-facility/feed/ Vermont’s Cow Power™ Program Adds U.S. Forest Service as Their Latest Customer http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/10/21/vermonts-cow-power%e2%84%a2-program-adds-us-forest-service-as-their-latest-customer/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/10/21/vermonts-cow-power%e2%84%a2-program-adds-us-forest-service-as-their-latest-customer/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:13:04 +0000 Tom Schueneman http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/10/21/vermonts-cow-power%e2%84%a2-program-adds-us-forest-service-as-their-latest-customer/ US Forest Service latest participant in Vermont's Cow Power programCow Power - Energy Happens

The U.S. Forest Service announced that it will enroll its Rutland, Vermont office in the Central Vermont Public Service Cow Power ™ program.

We’ve written before here on EcoLocalizer on the potential of “cow power” as a source of biogas for electrical generation and as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Created in 2004, The Central Vermont Public Service Cow Power™ program is Vermont’s largest volunteer alternative energy program and the nation’s first direct farmer-to-consumer renewable energy plan.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/10/21/vermonts-cow-power%e2%84%a2-program-adds-us-forest-service-as-their-latest-customer/feed/ With Huge Oil Discovery, Cuba Will Beat United States to Energy Independence http://ecoworldly.com/2008/10/19/with-huge-oil-discovery-cuba-will-beat-united-states-to-energy-independence/ http://ecoworldly.com/2008/10/19/with-huge-oil-discovery-cuba-will-beat-united-states-to-energy-independence/#comments Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:15:49 +0000 Levi Novey http://ecoworldly.com/2008/10/19/with-huge-oil-discovery-cuba-will-beat-united-states-to-energy-independence/ A collage of imagery from CubaAfter revising estimates, Cuba now claims it has double the amount of oil in its offshore reserves than previously thought. If the estimates are accurate, Cuba would have just as much oil as the U.S.

This discovery, coupled with initiatives to develop alternative energy projects, such a brand new biogas factory, will put Cuba on the fast track to achieving energy independence.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2008/10/19/with-huge-oil-discovery-cuba-will-beat-united-states-to-energy-independence/feed/ Kraft Turning Cheese Waste Into Biogas http://cleantechnica.com/2008/09/18/kraft-turning-cheese-waste-into-biogas/ http://cleantechnica.com/2008/09/18/kraft-turning-cheese-waste-into-biogas/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:37:55 +0000 Ariel Schwartz http://cleantechnica.com/2008/09/18/kraft-turning-cheese-waste-into-biogas/ kraft

Add Kraft to the growing list of companies that turn waste into energy. Two of the company’s New York cheese plants plan to turn used whey into biogas—enough to provide energy to 2,600 homes. Previously, Kraft relied on other methods to get rid of its waste.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2008/09/18/kraft-turning-cheese-waste-into-biogas/feed/ City’s Grease-Power Plan Has Recycled 1 Million Gallons http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/16/city%e2%80%99s-grease-power-plan-has-recycled-1-million-gallons/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/16/city%e2%80%99s-grease-power-plan-has-recycled-1-million-gallons/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:41:41 +0000 Alex Felsinger http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/16/city%e2%80%99s-grease-power-plan-has-recycled-1-million-gallons/ Milbrae, a small city south of San Francisco, celebrated its millionth gallon of restaurant grease-to-biogas energy conversion today.

Milbrae makes grease from electricity.

The program wasn’t a shoe-in for success when plant superintendent Joe Magner and former superintendent Dick York started it in 2007. While San Francisco has plans to build grease-to-biodiesel plant and San Antonio has turned to poop-power, the two Milbrae men had a different (albeit smaller-scale) idea that had not been fully tested.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/16/city%e2%80%99s-grease-power-plan-has-recycled-1-million-gallons/feed/ Down the Toilet and Back into the Grid: San Antonio to Turn Sewage Into Energy http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/10/down-the-toilet-and-back-into-the-grid-san-antonio-to-turn-sewage-into-energy/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/10/down-the-toilet-and-back-into-the-grid-san-antonio-to-turn-sewage-into-energy/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:17:12 +0000 Shirley Siluk Gregory http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/10/down-the-toilet-and-back-into-the-grid-san-antonio-to-turn-sewage-into-energy/ Jarlhelm at Wikimedia Commons under a GNU Free Documentation license.)Among the many other distinctions San Antonio residents can point to, they can now add one more: their city will boast the first utility system in the U.S. to capture and sell methane gas generated during sewage treatment.

The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Board of Trustees last night approved what they call a “truly innovative contract” with Ameresco, an “independent energy solutions company” based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Under the 20-year lease and operating agreement, Ameresco will build the pipelines and other facilities needed to collect and distribute methane gas produced from the city’s sewage. In return, SAWS gets a 12 percent royalty on the open market methane sales.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/10/down-the-toilet-and-back-into-the-grid-san-antonio-to-turn-sewage-into-energy/feed/ Biogas is Coming to Flint http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/07/biogas-is-coming-to-flint/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/07/biogas-is-coming-to-flint/#comments Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:48:41 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/07/biogas-is-coming-to-flint/

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf Flint is going to be home to a new biogas company from Sweden. The talks have been in the works for awhile now but last week officials from Swedish Biogas International visited Flint and the news…it is a definite yes. Construction is scheduled to start as early as September or October after Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf visits on September 26.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/07/biogas-is-coming-to-flint/feed/ Flint’s Green Future? http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/06/flints-green-future/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/06/flints-green-future/#comments Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:01:21 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/06/flints-green-future/ Once the great Vehicle City, most of Flint is now more of a rusty graveyard and ghost town of despair. Flint is at the top of the nation’s lists for highest unemployment rates, highest foreclosure rates, and it’s ranked as one of the most depressing cities to live in nationwide.

Everywhere you look businesses are closed, buildings sit empty, homes are for sale or just boarded up and abandoned, even the once affluent areas like Grand Blanc and Flushing that are on the outskirts of Flint have been touched with economic troubles.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/06/flints-green-future/feed/ First Manure-Powered Carnival Ride Makes Its Debut http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/14/first-manure-powered-carnival-ride-makes-its-debut/ http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/14/first-manure-powered-carnival-ride-makes-its-debut/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:30:14 +0000 Ariel Schwartz http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/14/first-manure-powered-carnival-ride-makes-its-debut/ train

Last week, I wrote about a farm in China that will power itself entirely with chicken manure. Now poop power has made it to mainstream America with an announcement that the California State Fair will play host to the first known amusement ride powered by cow manure.

The Barnyard Animal Train will use excrement from California dairy cows to create renewable biogas. Kids taking a ride on the train will also have the opportunity to learn about renewable energy— and of course, will get to experience it firsthand.

At first glance, this may not seem like a big deal. But state fairs around the United States are joining the alternative energy wagon, albeit not always by using cow manure.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/14/first-manure-powered-carnival-ride-makes-its-debut/feed/