Hello BESTers,

     One does not usually associate cold climates and biogas.  This is 
because the bacteria in digesters generally function at warmer 
temperatures.  Outside of tropical areas, digesters usually require 
heating, which can increase operational costs.  While industrial areas 
in Germany and Sweden, for example, may have the benefit of using waste 
heat to heat digesters, this is not an option for developing and rural 
regions in cold climates.  This article describes research in Alaska 
looking at cold-tolerate bacteria, psychrophiles, found in Alaska's 
methane-generating lakes as a microbial inoculum for anaerobic 
digesters.  High school students in Alaska are working with University 
of Alaska researchers to conduct trials on digesting food waste from 
the school cafeteria with the psychrophilic bacteria.  While the 
cold-temperature digesters are not as productive as warmer digesters, 
as would be expected, digestion may now be a feasible energy option for 
rural areas in colder-climates.

Have a great weekend,
Ryan

http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/rural-alaska/8223-biogas-could-bring-new-energy-to-rural-alaska

Biogas could bring new energy to rural Alaska
Alaska Dispatch
Jill Burke
January 17, 2011