Kristianstad, a city in Sweden, is using trash as am alternative for oil. Items like wood clippings, pig intestines, stale cookies, potato peels, manure, and cooking oil are burned so that they form biogas, which is a form of methane gas. This city is in a major region of agriculture in Sweden, so it has access to a myriad of wastes. As you can imagine, this is saving the city money because they don't have to purchase foreign oil. It also has created new jobs.
The United States, though, is not fully embracing this new technology. We only have a little over 100 biogas plants in the country, and they are only burning manure. The reason we haven't looked into it as much is because the cost is high at first, and we don't really have a plan as to how we would use the gas or how we would transport it from one place to another. Personally, I definitely think we should look into this alternative energy. Just think of how much trash you bring to the curb every week. Imagine if all of it could be turned into fuel. We know that fossil fuels are someday going to run out, and I feel like we are nowhere near prepared for that day. However, I think that now is the perfect time to begin investing in alternative fuel, and what better alternative than something that you will constantly have an abundance of?
Questions:
1) Do you think we should embrace this new form of alternative energy? Why or why not?
2) If we did invest in this technology, how long do you think it would be before it finally became widespread? Why?
3) Do you feel that we would eventually be able to replace oil with biogas formed from trash? Why or why not?
I completely agree with you. I think it is great how we can use our trash to produce energy, so in essense waste wouldn't really be "waste."
ReplyDelete1) Yes, I definitely think we should embrace this new form of alternative energy. I don't see why not because it is benefitting the environment and we are getting energy out of it. It's obviously good for the earth and us as well.
2) I think that it would probably take a while before it finally became widespread. People might have to get used to the idea of using trash for their electricity. People can be very inquisitive and worrisome, so I would expect there to be a lot of people who need to wait for other results before using it themselves. It's not like any other type of energy we have used before.
3) Yes, I do think we will eventually be able to replace oil with biogas formed from trash because trash is a renewable resource. Unless we completely stop using things, there will always be waste. So, all of this waste we're producing can be turned into energy. It is a continuous cycle.
This is a link to another picture some of you might be interested in:
http://nwrenewablenews.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/dsc_0766_610x4052.jpg?w=610&h=405
I think we should. Right now because of the fact tbat it is harder to get oil we need to look at other ways. I think it would take a few years. I think this because we might need to do more research into this befor we start. Also we would need to build more building for the energy plant. I don't think we will be able to replace it completly, but I think we could replace at least 20%.
ReplyDeleteHere is another link:
http://www.planetizen.com/node/47244
Reflection: I think that we should start burning different waste products and use biogas as a methane gas. This would be a lot better for the environment because we do not have to use non-renewable resources to produce gas. However, burning different waste products may be bad for the environment, because it could pollute the air. However, I think that the advantages probably outweigh the disadvantages. I also think it is good that it is creating jobs and saving the city of Kristianstad money. Although it may be expensive at first, it may eventually get cheaper, so I think we should give it a shot. If its better than the environment, then we should try it.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link that provides some additional information and research:
http://www.kristianstad.se/sv/Kristianstads-kommun/Sprak/English/Environment/Biogas/Biogas-as-vehicle-fuel/