The Methane Bus: Good For The Environment?

[Atheist-Lite]

Nearest thing to a black project in the UK? Quick roll out; one stops round the corner from here as of yesterday. Is the future methane?

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lin ... story.html

A TRAILBLAZING project that uses food waste from landfill to fuel buses has been officially launched.

A fleet of 11 Stagecoach buses, which are the first of their kind in the UK, was unveiled at Lincolnshire Showground yesterday.



And the programme managers say reduced emissions from the biomethane gas-powered vehicles will reduce damage to the environment.

The project was joint funded by Lincolnshire County Council, which provided £260,000 of investment, and the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), which injected a further £100,000.

The launch ceremony was conducted by Stagecoach Group chief executive Brian Souter.

He said: "Waste is a big issue for every family and household up and down the country and councils now face major taxes for landfill.

"This is an innovative way of taking something that's a big problem for society and turning it into a fuel of the future."

(continued)

[Jason]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

[Atheist-Lite]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

There lots of frozen methane under the sea - there's huge potential for expansion here.

[Jason]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

There lots of frozen methane under the sea - there's huge potential for expansion here.

I assume you're referring to the Greenland 'reserves'? There's a huge potential for expansion in oil sands as well.

The problem is cost of production.

[Atheist-Lite]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

There lots of frozen methane under the sea - there's huge potential for expansion here.

I assume you're referring to the Greenland 'reserves'? There's a huge potential for expansion in oil sands as well.

The problem is cost of production.

Methane-hydrates are everywhere, there just needs to be enough investment cash to perfect economic extraction.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE1Liftb ... re=related[/youtube]

[hiyymer]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaerobic_digestion

"The technical expertise required to maintain industrial scale anaerobic digesters coupled with high capital costs and low process efficiencies had limited the level of its industrial application as a waste treatment technology."

"this work was developed during World War II"

Orders of magnitude NOT cost competitive but makes wonderful press for the companies involved as a "pilot project" of amazing new technology. Want to take any bets on whether there is a second round of investment?

[hiyymer]

I like how they show cattle after explaining the methane is retrieved from a landfill. :\


Anyhow, I wonder how sustainable this source of energy is? What is the expansion potential (how much methane can be extracted before the rate of extraction vs generation becomes unstable)? How many buses could this fuel? Has anyone done a cost/benefit analysis on this?

It's cute, I'll give it that.

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Gre ... story.html

Suppose this is the source. More government grants. Seems there may be some unmentioned issues. Phew.

[Atheist-Lite]

I know Wasps Nest. Isolated, some very rich people live thereabouts. They can afford to move.