A dairy farm in Steuben County, New York, is using anaerobic digesters to break down cow manure and produce biogas, which can be used to power data centers. The operation, run by Ag-Grid Energy, is the first of its kind in the country and could provide a new source of renewable energy.

RNG and Data Centers

The use of renewable natural gas (RNG) from cow manure could help reduce the environmental impact of data centers, which currently use 4.9% of the country’s electricity. Tech giants are searching for alternative fuel sources to power their hyperscale data centers, and RNG is being touted as a sustainable solution.

Biogas proponents argue that RNG can be used as a drop-in energy solution, meaning it can be used without changing existing fossil fuel-based infrastructure. However, critics argue that the use of RNG from cow manure digesters could incentivize the proliferation of factory farms and create new environmental problems.

Concerns and Controversies

Some communities have raised concerns about the impact of large-scale co-digesters on air and water quality. The digesters can produce hazardous air emissions and pollute waterways, and the digested waste can be more polluting than undigested manure.

Despite these concerns, the use of RNG from cow manure is gaining traction. Microsoft has partnered with Enchanted Rock to use RNG for backup data center power, and Vanguard Renewables is promoting RNG as a sustainable solution for data centers.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.