In the midst of the recession, we hear about generating jobs through investing in green energy. Biofuels have been in the news alot, particularly corn-based fuels. One of the lesser known biofuels with great potential for dairy farmers is something I like to call electric poo.
The process of anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms to break down biodegradable materials in the absence of oxygen. Manure, as most people's nose will tell them, is an abundant biodegradable resource on dairy farms. Left untreated, manure is a nuisance. It smells bad, it looks bad, and it attracts pests. But when manure is put through the anaerobic process, the resulting methane gasses that are produced can be captured and turned into electricity.
There are challeneges for dairy farmers. Methane digesters are expensive, and the economic benefits are difficult to measure. Most farmers who have installed them depend on subsidies to make it possible. And since the technology is still in its infancy, it may be years before the equipment and processes are refined enough to make it a good investment for dairies of all sizes.
Dairies have made significant progress in the last 60 years in reducing their carbon footprint. Making electricity out of poo is another step in the right direction.
The process of anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms to break down biodegradable materials in the absence of oxygen. Manure, as most people's nose will tell them, is an abundant biodegradable resource on dairy farms. Left untreated, manure is a nuisance. It smells bad, it looks bad, and it attracts pests. But when manure is put through the anaerobic process, the resulting methane gasses that are produced can be captured and turned into electricity.
There are challeneges for dairy farmers. Methane digesters are expensive, and the economic benefits are difficult to measure. Most farmers who have installed them depend on subsidies to make it possible. And since the technology is still in its infancy, it may be years before the equipment and processes are refined enough to make it a good investment for dairies of all sizes.
Dairies have made significant progress in the last 60 years in reducing their carbon footprint. Making electricity out of poo is another step in the right direction.
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