Biomass-to-Electricity - (cow manure will run my ipod?)
(photo from MAREC website)
The title of this post is a bit misleading and I should quickly explain what this post is about. The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) is in the process of creating a $1.3 million biomass-to-electricity demonstration plant in Muskegon County, Michigan.
The demonstration plant will convert dairy cow and swine manure to methane gas which would then be used to produce electricity. If the plant is successful, it would offer a realistic solution to farmers, who are faced with the growing challenge of animal waste. Another byproduct of the biomass-to-electricity conversion is sterile compost that could be sold to local garden centers or soil enrichment companies.
The following excerpt is from the MAREC website:
“The Muskegon County Wastewater Management System is the suggested location for the high-tech digestive system (anaerobic bio-digester) that breaks down manure, and advanced combined heat and power micro turbine electric generator required for this project. Electricity generated by the biomass-to-energy plant could then be used to power some of the wastewater facility “a large user of electricity” and by businesses that might become part of a “large lot” industrial park near the wastewater site. The isolated setting of the wastewater facility makes it an ideal place to process animal waste, and its centralized location puts it close to large cow and pig farms in the region.”
To learn more about MAREC, vist them here.
Technorati Tags: biomass-to-electricity, cow manure, swine manure, green energy, biomass, MAREC, animal waste, electricity, methane, Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Written by steve on October 23rd, 2006 with
1 comment.
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#1. July 23rd, 2009, at 7:54 AM.
Hi,
Great article and good graphic display.
I am an electrical engineer /auditor working globally on drilling rigs and based in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.
The province Taranaki boasts 86000 people and 3.7M dairy cows. The effluent is a problem for our farmers and this methane biomass bioconverter is one good solution.
I have access to an engineering workshop, shop frontage, electrical skills and corporate financial backing.
It is my intent to finish my current commissioning role in Singapore and return to NZ to implement a program to discuss and invigorate debate and ultimately installation of these bioconverters.
However as with all things innovative the road to completion is not easy to predict therefore I would very much appreciate being listed to receive your updates and any shared technical papers you deem acceptable for distribution.
Best Regards
Mike Anderson