Green Energy from Cow Manure in Alberta, Canada

Biodigester making green energy at Highland Feeders farm in Alberta, Canada

I wasn’t sure what to expect at Highland Feeders farm in Alberta, Canada. I’m on assignment to research the alternative energy biodigester that converts cow manure and other waste into electricity and green energy.

An hour and a half drive from Edmonton, AB, the Kotelko family has been running their farm since 1947. Starting as a mixed grain and purebred cattle farm, it is now thriving as one of the largest feedlots in the area. It is also leading the way in alternative energy, developing Canada’s first BioRefinery to produce electricity and green power.

So, with almost no knowledge of ethanol plants and the alternative energy industry, a few other writers and I donned hard hats and went out to see the biodigester at work.

Cattle at the Highland Feeders farm near Vegerville, Alberta (Canada)

Apart from the pungent smell, this has to be most informative and captivating half an hour I can remember. Cow manure goes into the biodigester, which converts it to green electricity and steam. On the other end of the mechanism, high-starch wheat is being processed into fuel ethanol.

It makes sense to me. I think this must be the way of the future in order to produce green energy. Because the manure and grain is reused, it can’t be compared to the traditional ethanol plants that have gotten so much flack lately.

Does anyone with more knowledge of the process have an opinion on this new development in the alternative energy field?

What I liked:

• Highland Feeders is family owned and has been since opening in 1947.
• No antibiotics or hormones are used with the cattle (you can find their premium beef in stores under the name of Spring Creek).
• Seeing the biodigester in action was neat, as our group is probably among the first few to walk around the grounds.