Europe's biogas plants growing

[Fledermaus]

As the recession deepens, energy projects in Europe are becoming increasingly dominated by renewable fuels, especially biogas (methane).

The European Union now counts about 8,000 biogas plants, and—encouraged by increasing subsidies—thousands more should come on line during the next decade. Farmers are building plants to make a profit, not to protect the environment. Farm emissions account for 9-10% of the EU’s total greenhouse gases, more than all industrial processes, such as steelmaking and chemical manufacturing, combined, according to the European Environment Agency.

Much of the emissions come from two gases produced from livestock manure—methane and nitrous oxide. Farmers usually spread manure on their fields, where the methane escapes into the atmosphere, and the nitrogen forms nitrous oxide. Biogas plants offer a partial solution to this problem: Farmers can make money by capturing the methane from their manure, while governments get a renewable energy source that achieves substantial greenhouse-gas reductions and helps to reduce the EU’s dependence on imported natural gas, mostly from Russia.

A new plant that produces gas from wood opened in Güssing, Austria, (pop. 3,800) opening new possibilities in renewable energy. According to company officials, they can use the gas produced at the plant in urban heating systems, for gas-powered cars or by power stations. The facility, located in a town already renowned for being entirely energy self-reliant, can produce some 100 cubic meters of biogas per hour, enough to heat 150 homes on a cold winter’s day. Richard Zweiler, from the European Centre for Renewable Energy, which is behind the project, said the gas produced has the same quality as natural gas. Funded by the European Union, Switzerland, and Austria, the plant took three years to move from the pilot phase to the industrial phase. The project cost $11 million (€8 million).

http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/Content...

[silverweb]

1. Imagine what we could be doing here.

I hope multiple project plans are in the works.

[Andy823]

2. I agree.

We need to get on the band wagon and start doing the same things that the rest of the world is. It could really do wonders for the economy, the environment, and create lots of needed jobs.

Congress alone can produce enough BS light all of D.C., add the republican blow hards to that and we could light the whole eastern coast!

[silverweb]

4. Ain't that the truth!

[Nederland]

3. Interesting statistic

Farm emissions account for 9-10% of the EU’s total greenhouse gases, more than all industrial processes, such as steel making and chemical manufacturing, combined, according to the European Environment Agency.

I wonder if that includes the greenhouse gases generated by power plants producing electricity for all those steel mills and chemical plants. It might, but something tells me it doesn't.