Cow manure helps to power up the National Grid

RENEWABLE biogas made from cow manure has been injected into the National Grid in a UK first which will create enough energy to power 10 homes for a year.

The Murrow Anaerobic Digestion Plant in Cambridgeshire mixed the manure with straw and left it in an oxygen-free environment to produce methane, which has been sold to the grid so people can use it to cook and heat their homes.

Biogas is of growing interest to energy companies as it offers far better carbon emission savings than natural methane gas.

It could also be a boon for farmers, who could sell their manure to energy companies in order for it to be turned into renewable gas.

The post-brexit Agriculture Bill also enshrines extra payments for farmers who use their land and livestock to help the environment.

The technique is being explored in California, with farmers in America hoping it could be a “new gold rush” and help offset the methane emissions from the cows throughout their lives on the farms.

The Cambridgeshire trial began last month and the National Grid confirmed this week that it has been connected to the Gas National Transmission System, enabling flows of up to 15,000 standard cubic meters per hour of the biogas into the grid.

There are now plans for a nationwide roll-out of cow manure biogas.

Ian Radley, head of gas systems operations at the National Grid, said it could “play a critical role in the journey to Britain achieving net zero”.

He added: “We’ve collaborated closely with Biocow on this innovative project to ensure we met their needs and ultimately successfully connected their site to the National Transmission System, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and paving the way for similar projects in the future.”