MNN - Mother Nature Network

Biogas, produced by anaerobic digestion, is a methane- and carbon dioxide-rich fuel that can be used for energy. It involves a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen to release energy. Until recently, much of this energy was lost. But now we know how to harness this energy, and biogas power plants are springing up around the world.

 

As the Guardian reports, one station near Gloucestershire in southern England will use the droppings of area chickens to light and heat local homes. The Cirencester biogas plant will receive the animal and agricultural waste from area farms. Peter Kindt is managing director of Alfagy, the company behind the plant’s biogas technology. As he told The Guardian, "What makes this project exciting is that farmers deliver energy to the urban environment. We believe this is a model for the future of local power generation.”