Cow Power: Methane From Manure

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PHOTO: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
Manfred Steiner working the control valve of one methane gas outlet.

When the only gasoline pump in a tiny village on Switzerland’s Lake Leman runs dry, local farmer Manfred Steiner will still be able to deliver milk from his 25 cows . . . because–with the flip of a switch–his station wagon runs on homegrown fuel!

You see, there’s a huge manure pile on the Steiner place, just as there is on most every farm in the neighborhood . . . but Manfred has put his dung heap to work producing methane! And, besides using the gas to provide himself with transportation, the young farmer transforms a portion of his “cow power” into electricity that heats his dwelling and runs all the electrical equipment around the barns and house . . . and the Swiss innovator still has enough homemade voltage left over to sell some to the local power plant.

“The whole system cost me close to $20,000,” explains Monsieur Steiner, “but it will pay for itself in eight years. Why, during the first winter alone it saved me about $3,000!” (With oil prices skyrocketing, the enterprising dairyman will probably amortize his “plant” even sooner than he originally projected!)

Goodbye to Worry

Back in the early 70’s, young Steiner became fascinated with the idea of making his farm energy self-sufficient.

  • Published on Jan 1, 1980
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