Biogas the New Power Source?
A Christchurch power engineer is developing technology that, in future, could see dairy sheds powered entirely by cow waste. Engenius Solutions’ Ian Bywater’s idea for a sustainable system for cleaner dairying won the prestigious Institute of Electrical Engineers New Spirit Challenge Award, which rewards ideas for sustainability-oriented engineering projects, last year.
Now he is seeking funding to further develop the concept.
The system combines three technologies – biodigestion, the Stirling engine, and the Icebank. Cow dung and urine would be put into a digestion tank and converted to a carbon dioxide and methane-rich biogas.
The gas would be used to fuel a Stirling engine, which would produce both hot water – to keep the biodigester plant at an optimum temperature - and electricity – to power an Icebank, which would produce enough ice to cool the milk to a safe storage temperature.
The system could also have benefits for power network suppliers.
As well as reducing the amount of energy dairy farms draw from the national grid, it would also lessen peak loads on rural feeders and lessen the need for expensive re-conductoring of these lines. “At the moment, when a herd of cows comes in for milking, a much larger capacity is required as the refrigeration plant kicks in,” Mr Bywater says.
Canterbury Today - Southern Today, April 2004
Now he is seeking funding to further develop the concept.
The system combines three technologies – biodigestion, the Stirling engine, and the Icebank. Cow dung and urine would be put into a digestion tank and converted to a carbon dioxide and methane-rich biogas.
The gas would be used to fuel a Stirling engine, which would produce both hot water – to keep the biodigester plant at an optimum temperature - and electricity – to power an Icebank, which would produce enough ice to cool the milk to a safe storage temperature.
Mr Bywater says.“It’s an integrated energy system which addresses cleanliness, because it’s using what is otherwise a waste product, and which cuts down on atmospheric and ground pollution,”
The system could also have benefits for power network suppliers.
As well as reducing the amount of energy dairy farms draw from the national grid, it would also lessen peak loads on rural feeders and lessen the need for expensive re-conductoring of these lines. “At the moment, when a herd of cows comes in for milking, a much larger capacity is required as the refrigeration plant kicks in,” Mr Bywater says.
The system could actually bypass the mains power. Jokes about using cows’ byproducts as a power source may not be so far-fetched after all.“This way we wouldn’t see the peaks on the network because the refrigeration load would be a small and steady one.”
Canterbury Today - Southern Today, April 2004