Sludge Watch ==> One Kilowatt per cow

[Maureen Reilly]

Future Energy group given grant to investigate bio-gas potential

By Tim Murphy

News
Feb 13, 2008

A local group will be looking into the feasibility of harnessing the power 
of bio-gas for Wilmot Township.

The Local Initiative for Future Energy Co-operative Inc. (LIFE) group has 
been given $40,000 to conduct a feasibility study into establishing a 
cluster of bio-gas installations on local farms.

The group was given the grant by Agricultural Co-operative Development 
Initiative.

Linda Laepple, a member of the LIFE group and a local organic farmer, said 
the money will cover consultant fees and other costs associated with the 
study.

"We want to get a group of farmers together and see some places," she said. 
"And talk to some people who have had experience."

Bio-gas is created through the fermentation of organic feedstock, including 
manure, food processing waste and various plant life.

The diversion of animal and food waste from landfills will result in energy 
production, and a rich fertilizer with good nitrogen content and reduced 
odour.

Laepple said she became interested in bio-gas after talking to friends in 
Germany about their experiences capturing the renewable energy.

In Germany, the bio-gas boom has led to much competition between farmers. 
The bio-gas generators can be run on either waste products of grains. Now, 
as much as 20 per cent of crops are grown to power the generators.

Competition caused the farmers to drive up land and grain prices as they 
tried to make the most money off the bio-gas generators.

Laepple said she hopes to avoid that by working cooperatively.

How much energy can be harnessed from a farm depends on the size of 
operation. But an approximate amount can be set at one kilowatt per cow.

A large dairy or beef operation could develop a significant amount of power.

"The technology is available," she said, noting the problem is organizing it 
in a manner which benefits the farmer and doesn't burden them.

The generator would be the equivalent of looking after another barn.

Because of the amount of work involved, there would need to be trained 
technicians available to service the generators.

The benefits to farmers would be energy and a protecting the environment.

"It has a lot of potential in regards to ground water protection," Laepple 
said.

Once the feasibility study has started, a public meeting will be held. The 
meeting is anticipated to be held in March or April.

The study is to be conducted over the next 12 months.

Anybody interested in contacting LIFE can do so by e-mailing 
life.info at yahoo.ca or mailing PO Box 5158, Baden, ON, N3A 4J3.

Future Energy group given grant to investigate bio-gas potential

By Tim Murphy

News
Feb 13, 2008
Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend A local group will be 
looking into the feasibility of harnessing the power of bio-gas for Wilmot 
Township.

The Local Initiative for Future Energy Co-operative Inc. (LIFE) group has 
been given $40,000 to conduct a feasibility study into establishing a 
cluster of bio-gas installations on local farms.

The group was given the grant by Agricultural Co-operative Development 
Initiative.

Linda Laepple, a member of the LIFE group and a local organic farmer, said 
the money will cover consultant fees and other costs associated with the 
study.

"We want to get a group of farmers together and see some places," she said. 
"And talk to some people who have had experience."

Bio-gas is created through the fermentation of organic feedstock, including 
manure, food processing waste and various plant life.

The diversion of animal and food waste from landfills will result in energy 
production, and a rich fertilizer with good nitrogen content and reduced 
odour.

Laepple said she became interested in bio-gas after talking to friends in 
Germany about their experiences capturing the renewable energy.

In Germany, the bio-gas boom has led to much competition between farmers. 
The bio-gas generators can be run on either waste products of grains. Now, 
as much as 20 per cent of crops are grown to power the generators.

Competition caused the farmers to drive up land and grain prices as they 
tried to make the most money off the bio-gas generators.

Laepple said she hopes to avoid that by working cooperatively.

How much energy can be harnessed from a farm depends on the size of 
operation. But an approximate amount can be set at one kilowatt per cow.

A large dairy or beef operation could develop a significant amount of power.

"The technology is available," she said, noting the problem is organizing it 
in a manner which benefits the farmer and doesn't burden them.

The generator would be the equivalent of looking after another barn.

Because of the amount of work involved, there would need to be trained 
technicians available to service the generators.

The benefits to farmers would be energy and a protecting the environment.

"It has a lot of potential in regards to ground water protection," Laepple 
said.

Once the feasibility study has started, a public meeting will be held. The 
meeting is anticipated to be held in March or April.

The study is to be conducted over the next 12 months.

Anybody interested in contacting LIFE can do so by e-mailing 
life.info at yahoo.ca or mailing PO Box 5158, Baden, ON, N3A 4J3.