Green Energy Futures:
James Callighan with one of the 250 cows that are milked in the Maryland Farms' dairy operation
Green Energy Futures:
Automatic rakes scoop up the manure for digester
Green Energy Futures:
Farm-scale biogas plant
Green Energy Futures:
Maryland Farms has 250 milking cows, 3800 acress of farm and now an operationg biogas powerplant that produces enough electricity for 400-500 homes
Green Energy Futures:
Maryland Farms is located just a few kilometres from Lindsay, Ontario a couple of hours northeast of Toronto
Green Energy Futures:
James Callighan peeks into the digester that contains a mixture of manure, greases, oils and fats and produces methane that is burned to produce electricity on the farm
Green Energy Futures:
James Callighan in the control room of the Maryland Farms' biogas power plant
Green Energy Futures:
James Callaghan monitors operation of the V12 generator enegine that can produce up to 500 kilowatts of electricity
Green Energy Futures:
This V12 engine is cranking out 254 kilowatts of electricity 24-7 running on methane gas created from cow manure - distributed energy in action.
Green Energy Futures:
James Callaghan in the engine room of the Maryland Farms biogas operation near Lindsay, Ontario. The 500 kilowatt distributed energy biogas system produces energy right at the farm reducing the need for long distance transmission.
Green Energy Futures:
James Callaghan oustide of the sound-insulated building that contains the V12 engine capible of generating 500 kilowatts of electricity
Green Energy Futures:
A young calf wrapped up for warmth in the calf barn at Maryland Farms
Green Energy Futures:
Two calves in the calf barn at Maryland Farms. The one on the left was born on Jan. 8, 2013
Green Energy Futures:
Curious calves in the calf barn at Maryland Farms near Lindsay, Ontario
Green Energy Futures:
A Holstein calf that was born on October 24, 2012 in the calf barn at Maryland Farms
Green Energy Futures:
Maryland Farms has 32 milking stations in this semi-automated facility
Green Energy Futures:
A cow's life. The milking routine is so established that the cows wander into the milking stalls pretty much on their own and out the other side them they are done
Green Energy Futures:
The 6th generation Callaghan men working in the milking barn at Maryland Farms near Lindsay, Ontario
Green Energy Futures:
Each cow is milked twice a day and records are kept of their health and milk production
Green Energy Futures:
James Callaghan with the 10,000 gallon milk tank at Maryland Farms
Green Energy Futures:
The Maryland farm credo starts like this: "The rule to be observed in this barn, at all times, towards young and old is patience and kindness."