Killington
posted
Oct 25, 2012
Killington Resort announced Thursday, Oct. 18 that it will power
its K-1 Express Gondola during the 2012-13 season with electricity
generated directly from cows on Vermont dairy farms. The initiative
was made possible through Killington's enrollment in Green Mountain
Power's Cow Power program, which enables GMP customers to purchase
all or part of their electricity at a premium and support Vermont's
dairy farms as well as the development of new cow power projects
across the state.
"Killington Resort is thrilled to work with the GMP Cow Power
program and local dairy farmers to power the K-1 Express Gondola
starting opening day of the winter season," stated Mike Solimano,
President and General Manager for Killington Resort. "GMP Cow Power
is truly an innovative way to create renewable energy and it's
another example of how we continue to implement environmental
initiatives throughout our resort."
Perfected over the last ten years, the GMP Cow Power process is
very simple. Farms collect cow manure throughout the day, mixing it
with wash water from the milking equipment which is then pumped
into an anaerobic digester. The slurry flows through a digester for
about three weeks at 100 degrees Fahrenheit allowing bacteria to
convert the manure into biogas, about 60% methane gas and 40%
carbon dioxide. The biogas is then delivered to a modified natural
gas engine, which drives an electric generator to create
electricity. Finally, the energy generated is fed onto the GMP
electrical system which ultimately powers the K-1 Express
Gondola.
The left over manure in the digester does not go to waste; it is
separated into solid and liquid portions. The liquid portion is
used as enhanced fertilizer and the solids, consisting of plant
fibers including grass, corn stalk fibers, grain hulls, etc. can
replace sawdust as bedding for the cows.
"Large customers like Killington Resort with significant demand
can make important contributions to the continued development of
this innovative renewable resource," said Mary Powell, President
and CEO of Green Mountain Power. "Through their investment, they
will help us continue to expand the GMP Cow Power program making
this opportunity available to more Vermont dairy farms. These farms
are the backbone of Vermont's agricultural economy; therefore
Killington is to be commended for its commitment to both renewable
energy and Vermont farming."
Currently, 13 Vermont farms, with roughly 10,000 total dairy
cows producing 300,000 gallons of manure per day, participate in
the GMP Cow Power program and are compensated for their electric
generation and the related environmental benefits. The energy is
used locally and the program continues to grow annually with new
farms and new customers joining regularly.
