French city powers buses with food scraps, recycled waste
French city powers buses with food scraps,
recycled waste
The French city of Lille is to power a 100-strong bus fleet using biogas fuel made from organic household waste, thanks to a pioneering recycling plant unveiled on Wednesday.
In a project unique in Europe, the plant will supply the northern city with four million cubic metres of eco-friendly biogas per year — enough to power 100 buses — produced from food scraps, weeds, flowers and grass clippings.
Biogas, produced by decomposing organic material via a process called biomethanisation, emits far less carbon dioxide than traditional fossil fuels. Sweden launched the world’s first biogas-fueled train in 2005.
The country’s only biogas fuel plant is also equipped to transfer non-recyclable waste via local waterways for incineration at a nearby energy-optimisation centre.
Step-by-step the march towards energy independence and a cleaner environment - broadens and becomes stronger. Some places sooner than others.
Posted: Sat - September 22, 2007 at 10:38 AM