Ingenious ways in which to generate electricity are seemingly popping up each day. Ways in which to generate electricity while also removing unwanted waste is a bonus. Such is the case in Arizona, where a park is planning a project to recycle dog feces while also generating electricity.
Cosmo Park in Gilbert, Arizona has been a top ranked dog park since it opened in 2006. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the park each year, both of the two and four-legged variety. Now instead of simply throwing away dog waste, a project by students at Arizona State University Polytechnic in Mesa, Arizona will be recycling the released methane to light a park lamp.
The students will be building a machine designed to take into consideration the sun and general anaerobic digestion in order to allow the methane from the waste to generate electricity. Dog waste will need to be collected in biodegradable bags and then placed in the machine. The person will then have to crank the machine in order to mix the waste material to let methane rise to the top.
Overall, the university is seeking a sponsor which will assist in the estimated $25,000 cost. This methane lamp would not be the first in the country, a similar idea was used for a project in Cambridge, Massachusetts. However, this particular project was only temporary and is not longer in use. Those involved in the project in Arizona see a potential for expansion but are focusing on the initial project. However, the town is hopeful that other communities will pick up the idea and test such projects as well.
The Cosmo Park project will not only be alleviating dog waste issues but will also be generating electricity-all while allowing college students to advance their knowledge of renewable energy. Overall, the project is considered very beneficial to all involved.
