Compost Heap Bacteria Could Provide 10% Of UK Transport Fuel Needs

Compost Heap Bacteria Could Provide 10% Of UK Transport Fuel Needs

www.sciencedaily.com

ScienceDaily (Sep. 10, 2008) — Bacteria found in compost heaps able to convert waste plant fibre into ethanol could eventually provide up 10% of the UK's transport fuel needs, scientists heard September 9, 2008 at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held at Trinity College, Dublin.

Researchers from Guildford, UK, have successfully developed a new strain of bacteria that can break down straw and agricultural plant waste, domestic hedge clippings, garden trimmings and cardboard, wood chippings and other municipal rubbish to convert them all into useful renewable fuels for the transport industry.

"The bioethanol produced in our process can be blended with existing gasoline to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions, help tackle global warming, reduce dependence upon foreign oil and help meet national and international targets for renewable energy," said Paul Milner, Fermentation Development Manager of TMO Renewables Ltd, based in Surrey Research Park, Guildford.

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[edit on 10-9-2008 by grover]

Oil is just sssooooo.... 20th century.

We could create an economic boom that would last the century if we would get off our duffs and actually got serious about conservation and alternative energy sources... but no... not until it starts affecting our wallets and lifestyles will we actually start doing something significent about it all.

We should have started in the seventies and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

www.sciencedaily.com
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