Cow manure is being used to power a cryptomine at a dairy farm in Steuben County, New York, and could potentially be used to power data centers in the future. The farm, Lent Hill Dairy Farm, uses anaerobic digesters to break down the manure and produce biogas, which is then used to power the cryptomine.

RNG and Data Centers

The company behind the project, Ag-Grid Energy, believes that this technology could be a game-changer for powering data centers, which currently use 4.9% of the country’s electricity. The use of renewable natural gas (RNG) from cow manure could provide a reliable and high-capacity fuel source for data centers.

However, not everyone is convinced that this is a good idea. Some critics argue that the use of RNG from cow manure could lead to the proliferation of factory farms and increase pollution. They also argue that the production of RNG from cow manure is not a clean or sustainable process.

Environmental Concerns

The production of RNG from cow manure has raised environmental concerns. The digesters used to produce the biogas can produce hazardous air emissions, and the waste produced by the digesters can pollute waterways. Additionally, the use of RNG from cow manure could lead to the concentration of agriculture and the proliferation of factory farms.

Despite these concerns, some companies are moving forward with plans to use RNG from cow manure to power data centers. Microsoft has partnered with Enchanted Rock to use RNG for backup data center power, and Vanguard Renewables has touted RNG as a sustainable way forward.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.