Wouldn't it be great if beer could solve all of our problems?
Oh wait... it already can, I guess I'll just stop writing for a moment and go grab a cold one.
Ok, now that my problems are solved, it's on to the energy crisis here in the US and the rest of the world. Don't believe me? Well, according to Eric Fitch of Purpose Energy Inc. it's doing just that. Eric Fitch, a mechanical engineer from MIT, has created a device (anaerobic methane digester) that turns the waste from the brewing process into natural gas that's used to fuel the brewing process. This 42 foot structure, which costed $4 million, sits in back of the Magic Hat brewing company in Vermont and extracts energy spent hops, barley, and yeast. By reusing these spent materials directly, the brewing company saves on having to purchase natural gas and waste disposal. This isn't the first brewery to go green, as many breweries tend to recycle their waste or sell their byproducts from the brewing process, but this methane digester is the first of its kind.
This is a really great solution and one step closer to turning breweries into a self-sustaining system. Although, it doesn't solve the energy crisis alone, little steps like this put less of a strain on the overstrained grid, and also save companies a lot of money.
So I say, "crack open a beer, you're one step closer to saving the planet!"
Interesting post Mr. Nate Double E guy. I do like to think I am doing my fair share of saving the planet by consuming regular amounts of alcohol as well as attempting to produce oil more economically. The class blog "Trashy Energy" has a post about these anaerobic waste systems as well, located at a feedlot. Check it out if you want, "Waste to energy close to home."
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Does New Belgium in FC do anything like this? What makes this particular digester unique? Maybe give us a little more science before you finish your beer :).
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