Manure to Electricity: The Newest Renewable
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is partnering with BioEnergy Solutions to convert cow manure into natural gas to power the Northern California energy provider's energy production.
Methane gas, produced from decaying manure, has for some time been captured at landfills and used for energy production. The PG&E/BioEnergy project appears to be the first commercial project to tap into the new source of methane gas.
Natural and human-activity sources generate methane gas that is released into the environment. Wetlands and ocean-based methane hydrates are the major natural sources of the gas. Coal, oil and natural gas mining/production, flatulence from animals, rice cultivation, biomass burning and animal manure are the top human-activity related methane sources.
By no means with the Fresno project turn the tide on global warming. It does, however, open a new readily available, and renewable energy source, further reducing the demand for fossil fuels to meet nation's electricity demand.
Published by Bryan McGannon
Currently, I'm a freelance public affairs professional specializing in political and government affairs. View profile
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