October 9th, 2009 · No Comments

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

Farm Power, a Washington-based renewable energy company, and Washington utility company Puget Sound Energy (PSE) are giving new meaning to making something new out of something old. Farm Power says it has developed a “manure digester” –  a system that turns cow manure into electricity — in Skagit County, Wash.

The manure digester captures the methane biogas from the waste, and holds it in an air tight tank, which then heats the manure to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The harvested methane becomes an alternative fuel and is sold to PSE. The leftover processed manure is then taken to other farms and used as an organic fertilizer.

This process prevents methane from being released into the atmosphere. Not only is there a reduction in greenhouse gases, Farm Power says the manure digester limits nitrate runoff, a problem common with dairy farm waste.

“Our environment, and our tradition of family farming in the Skagit Valley, both demand new ways of solving old problems,” said Kevin Maas, cofounder of Farm Power, in a statement. “Our Rexville dairy digester is the result of many state, community and business leaders coming together to help turn our vision of a renewable energy facility into a new source of opportunities for Skagit County farmers.”

To help make the process more affordable, Farm Power has developed regional digesters that multiple farms can access. The Skagit County digester uses manure from two farms, Beaver Marsh Farms and Harmony Dairy. The energy output from the manure at these two farms is 750 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power 500 homes.

While cow manure is the main component, other agricultural waste is being used as well including: spoiled fruit, chess whey and parts from chicken processing.

PSE has a voluntary Green Power Program that allows customers to buy renewable energy equal to the amount of the electricity they use. This gives people the ability to support local renewable energy projects. PSE says 24,000 customers are currently participating in the Green Power Program.

Not only is Farm Power creating clean energy to benefit the community, it also is providing new green jobs to benefit the local economy.

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media