A new project is set to explore the concept of an energy-independent farm
If you went to Agritechnica, you may have seen New Holland’s T7 Methane Power LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) tractor as an industry first. The latest development in the brand’s Methane Power tractor offering. The tractor itself offers farmers unparalleled performance for an alternative fuel tractor while also boosting overall farm sustainability. It’s as good as the diesel equivalents.
But with its LNG power solution, this tractor more than doubles the autonomy capability of the current methane powered range: using liquefied methane delivers four times as much fuel storage capacity when compared to compressed gas (CNG). With fuel autonomy for a working day and with its 270hp, there’s no difference in performance between the LNG and a diesel tractor.
However to make the tractor truly part of a solution that you can implement on your farm, The LNG tractor can be fueled by fugitive methane, strategically captured from livestock waste slurry lagoons. The methane is converted into fuel-grade liquefied natural gas (LNG) using patented cryogenic processes solving the low boiling point challenge historically seen with this fuel source.
Now Bennamann is undertaking a project that aims to demonstrate a revolutionary new approach to energy-independent sustainable farming. The project has some ambitious aims, including to:
- maximise the use of on-site renewable energy resources in combination with animal waste, such as cow manure, to supply all the energy needed for the farm, taking the site off-grid and reducing operational costs;
- deliver commercially viable net zero carbon energy products (biogas and liquid biofuel) from animal waste for local sale and distribution, providing an additional income to the farm business;
- improve the sustainability of farmland management practice through minimisation of artificial inputs such as manufactured fertiliser, lowering operational costs and reducing pollutants;
- provide site assessment methods and business models that will enable roll-out to scale across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the UK and the rest of the world.
The three local knowledge and innovation partners that have come together to collaboratively deliver this project are Bennamann (lead partner), Chynoweth Farm Partners and the University of Exeter.
If compared to diesel, the high energy density of LNG emits 80% less carbon monoxide emissions, 90% less non-methane hydrocarbons, 98% less particulate matter, and 62% less nitrous oxide. The T7 LNG when fueled by captured and processed bioLNG can reduce C02 emissions by 878 tons per year.
FPT Industrial presents an energy independent farm concept based on their Smart Hybrid Hub and our fugitive methane capture, process and use technologies.
Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/668164673