Further proof that beer can do anything. Gundersen Lutheran Hosptial in La Crosse, Wisconsin is taking aim at being completely energy independent. That’s not the story. It’s more like – how are they going to do it? Beer & cheese gas. If you’re anything like me, the first thing I think of is beer farts. High five for that. The hospital is actually looking at harnessing the energy potential of a biproduct of their production – biogas.
Biogas is produced by the anaerobic (no oxygen) breakdown of biodegradable materials (manure, sewage, plants, etc). It’s mostly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases can be combusted (like a car engine does) to create an energy release, and used as fuel. There are a few breweries already doing this to reheat their boilers, including Spoetzel (Shiner) Anheuser-Busch, and MillerCoors.
Gundersen Lutheran is sourcing biogas from local breweries and cheese makers, along with a local landfill in order to power the hospital. They aim to be completely energy independent by 2014. [Grist]
Side note: contrary to popular belief, the “fart” is comprised more of nitrogen and CO2 than methane. Now you know.
