A new power station located in the French Alps is using the whey left over from making Beaufort cheese to generate electricity.
After completing the initial steps required to make Beaufort cheese, cheesemakers are left with the byproducts of whey and cream. The cream can be used to make butter, protein powder, or ricotta cheese, but finding a practical application for the watery remains known as whey can be a bit trickier. In order to transform this product into a source of power, the plant adds bacteria that converts the whey into a biogas consisting of methane and carbon dioxide. This occurs through a natural fermentation process, similar to how methane is produced in cows’ stomachs. This gas then goes through an engine that heats water close to boiling and generates hydroelectricity.
via Mental Floss
Image: COYAU VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
