Organic Picks Blog » PG&E’s Cow Power

PG&E’s Cow Power
March 10, 2008

Posted by CindyC in : Communities , trackback

A few posts ago, I marveled at the idea of biogas digester for family use (in India). Last week, PG&E announced the launch of a biogas to renewable natural gas project.

Turning manure into power is not a new concept, though previous attempts were smaller in scale or home-made. However, since many states have alternative power mandates, biogas facilities are starting to pop up in states like Vermont, Washington and California. This PG&E and BioEnergy Solutions joint project will be the first that deliveries quality, renewable gas to a utility in California. Cow manure will be collected in a large, three stories tall pit and broken down by natural microbes. The released methane gas is then scrubbed of corrosive materials to meet power plant standards.

The methane captured from manure produced by 5,000 milk cows is expected to produce enough renewable gas for 50,000 PG&E customers a year. The project is also expected to reduce methane emissions (from these 5,000 cows) by 70%.

COWabunga!
(sorry, couldn’t resist)

CindyC at Organicpicks

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