Biogas: Creating Power From Waste

There is a simple way to make your own renewable energy at home and use it for cooking, heating and lighting. It’s called Biogas, and the concept is – add your kitchen scraps or animal manures to a large tank called a ‘digester’ and the anaerobic bacteria that live in the tank will breakdown or ‘digest’ these wastes and convert them to methane gas.

The gas is stored in a bag and can flow straight into your gas cooker in your kitchen, or your outdoor BBQ. The bacteria in the tank need to be fed every day and will not only produce biogas, but also a liquid fertiliser for your garden, and a solid material which is great for growing mushrooms on.

Many people around the world are making their own biogas at home, including millions of people in developing countries. To become part of this off-the-grid power movement you can make your own DIY unit for very little cost, or buy a readymade unit that can be used in any city-suburban backyard.