Answer to Question #48768 in Physics for Katie

Question

A farmer plans to generate all the electricity needed on her farm, using either a biogas generator or a small wind turbine.

The biogas generator would burn methane gas. The methane gas would come from rotting the animal waste produced on the farm. When burnt, methane produces carbon dioxide.

The biogas generator would cost £18,000 to buy and install. The wind turbine would cost £25,000 to buy and install.

The average power output from the wind turbine would be the same as the continuous output from the biogas generator.

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods of generating electricity.

Conclude, with a reason, which system would be better for the farmer to buy and install.

Answer 1

Advantages of Biogas:
1. Renewable Source of Energy
2. Non-Polluting
3. Reduces Landfills
4. Cheaper Technology
5. Large number of Jobs
6. Little Capital Investment
7. Reduces Greenhouse Effect
Disadvantages of Biogas
1. Little Technology Advancements
2. Contain Impurities
3. Not Attractive on Large Scale
4. Unstable
Even with all of the disadvantages present, countries have started to apply the
uses of biogas in everyday life. Public transportation has been renewed and
made efficient with the help of CNG. Remote locations that are off the electric
grid receive a steady supply of power from these plants. The future use of
biogas is bright, even with the problems it faces.
Advantages of wind renewable energy:
1. Wind is free and now we have technology to capture it and convert it intoelectricity.
2. Electricity created using wind energy do not produce any green house gases
and therefore do not pollute the environment.
3. Wind mills are tall structures and can be installed on a small piece of
land. Therefore, space is not as much an issue in generating wind energy.
4. Depending on people’s aesthetic sense, this can be an advantage and
disadvantage. Many people love pictures of windmills, wind farms, and turbines
in creating an exciting landscape but others feel differently.
5. People and places that are off grid (no power supply from the traditional
power companies) can still have access to electricity by installing this renewable
energy source and creating their own electricity.
6. On the same note, renewable energy technologies can really be a game-changer
in developing countries where people just do not access to traditional
electricity due to poor infrastructure.
Disadvantages of wind energy
1. Although free, wind energy generation depends on the fact if wind isflowing.
2. This one comes down to individual preference in terms of landscape and can
be an advantage or disadvantage.
3. Another disadvantage is the noise these structures generate (specially the
big ones).
4. Although once installed, the electricity produced by this renewable energy
technology produces no pollution but the production of wind turbines does
contribute to industrial pollution.
5. Electricity produced by this alternative energy source can now power a lot
of houses. The biggest on-shore turbine produces enough electricity to power
more than 800 homes.
6. The cost of wind technology installation have gone done significantly in the
past 10 decades, still the initial investment is higher than traditional
electricity grids.

As the farmer needs to utilize animal waste and either cost to buy and install
or the average power output are almost the same, we can conclude, that biogas
generator is better for the farmer to buy and install.