Biogas-Powered Passenger Train, Billed as World’s First, To Make Maiden Journey in Sweden. – Utah firm aims to turn trash into power, Utah Valley Energy

A passenger train running solely on biogas is set to make its maiden journey in Sweden Monday in what officials say is a world first and a major step toward making public transport more environmentally friendly.

The train, which is fitted with two biogas bus engines, will carry up to 54 passengers on an 80-kilometer (50-mile) stretch between Linkoping in south-central Sweden and Vastervik on the country’s east coast.

Biogas is produced by decomposing organic material in an oxygen-free environment, and emits just a small fraction of the carbon dioxide released by diesel engines.

The train can run for about 600 kilometers (400 miles) on a full tank and has a top speed of 130 kph (81 mph).

By Mattias Karen

Full Story: http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/05/06/ap/ap_2062005.asp?trk=nl

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Firm aims to turn trash into power

Utah County: The company says it would use cities’ waste to make enough power for 25,000 homes

By Todd Hollingshead
The Salt Lake Tribune

OREM – One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, an adage has it.

For one Utah County company, though, everybody’s garbage may become a treasure. Utah Valley Energy is proposing to build a renewable-energy plant to produce electricity from solid waste.

Company founder Grov Beckham says communities across the nation – Utah included – are using methane from solid waste to generate power. Now his company wants to cash in on the tons of trash northern Utah County cities haul to the dump.

"The need to become more energy-wise and energy independent as a nation is paramount," Beckham said. "Other communities are reaping the benefits. We should, too."

Full Story: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2814339