CalBio captures methane from manure and makes it into renewable energy
A second dairy farm has been added to the program
BMW shares the environmental credits with CalBio
BMW and CalBio added a second dairy farm as part of their program to turn manure into electricity.
This is done by capturing the methane that is emitted from cow’s manure and transforming it into a renewable source of energy that doesn’t create much pollution.
This solution is not only effective in reducing the dependency to fossil fuels in the electric grid, but also to reduce atmospheric methane emissions, which will help California achieve its pollution reduction goals.
Combined together, the generation of renewable energy and the reduction in methane created by this method is equivalent to providing clean power to over 17,000 electric vehicles per year, according to BMW.
Since the widespread adoption of electric vehicles will require much more electricity than ever before, investing in renewable and non-polluting energy sources will help reduce the pollution that will be created by generating more electricity.
The electricity produced by this project is in part returned to the grid, but it is also used to power the two dairy farms that provide the manure. These businesses are equipped with an on-site power generator that can provide twice as much electricity as a regular generator by using the same amount of biogas, which reduces local emissions and smog.
BMW is investing in the program as a way to show its support to new renewable energy initiatives and it benefits form it by sharing the environmental credits generated with CalBio.