A prototype tractor is pioneering a viable future for energy-independent farms. Temperature-controlled fuel tanks combined with new technology allow it to capture methane from cow slurry and convert it into liquid biofuel.
A small 120-cow UK dairy farm in Cornwall is at the cutting edge of sustainable farming, producing not only milk but also green energy, so the whole farm achieves a negative carbon footprint.
Trenance Farm, near Saltash, was involved in a pilot project to capture methane from a slurry pit and convert it into liquid bio-methane used as fuel. The technology replicated on other farms could increase the likelihood of livestock farmers helping their communities and the broader economy become carbon neutral.
The pilot is part of a joint venture between New Holland Agriculture, Cornwall-based clean energy specialist Bennamann and the local council. Bennaman has spent nearly a decade developing bio-methane production and storage technologies, working closely with farmers. In 2020 the council invested £1.58 million to allow the company to implement and test its proprietary technology. It built a closed slurry lagoon at Trenance Farm to capture escaping methane and installed technology to convert it into liquid methane. This can be stored and used to fuel the powerful machinery needed on the farm.
But that’s not all. The technology is so efficient that it produces enough fuel to generate electricity for the farm, power electric vehicles, and even sell to third parties, making the farm energy independent.
Katie Hoare, who runs the farm with her husband Kevin, is thrilled with the results and optimistic the pilot can be replicated elsewhere. “Environmentally, there are a lot of short-term benefits. It has improved our soil health and grass growth, and there will be greater returns in the long run. There are quite a few dairy farms in the area that are very similar to ours. “If we can make it work, anyone can do it,” she says.
”This article is taken from https://publications.cnhindustrial.com/.”
You can examine this wonderful tractor by clicking on the link.