In Barcelona, Certain Buses Run On Biomethane Produced From Human Waste
- Reference: 0178708026
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/08/17/0139251/in-barcelona-certain-buses-run-on-biomethane-produced-from-human-waste
- Source link:
> Odorless, quiet, sustainable. On the last day of July, passengers boarded Barcelona's V3 bus line with no idea where its fuel came from. Written in large letters on the bus facade, just below its name "Nimbus," a sign clearly stated: "This bus runs on biomethane produced from eco-factory sludge." Still, the explanation was likely too vague for most to grasp its full meaning. The moist matter from wastewater treated at the Baix Llobregat treatment plant was used to produce the biomethane. In other words: the human waste of more than 1.5 million residents of the Catalan city.
[1] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2025/08/12/in-barcelona-certain-buses-run-on-biomethane-produced-from-human-waste_6744278_114.html
"The buses around here ... (Score:2)
... are really shite!"
Thanks, I'll be here all week ... tip your waitress ...
I live in Barcelona, I'll check it out (Score:1)
I usually only need to use the subway to get around the city but I'll hunt down the V3 line.
It's ok to laugh (Score:2)
[1]Poop is funny [youtube.com]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cqlgO8OePE
And why not? (Score:2)
This is a perfect use case. They run a short route inside the city. It's quieter than a standard bus and emits less heat and waste product.
The same could be said for electric buses in situations like this.
Not everything has to be converted, but where it makes sense, do it.
There's no residue of its origin (Score:2)
Its just CH4. Unless it has somehow been contaminated, there is no trace of its origin. Without knowing its history, there's no way to tell whether it came from human waste, animal waste, the breakup of organic matter at high temperature and pressure in sedimentary basins, respiration by anaerobic bacteria, or synthetic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, probably not exactly true, because the relative abundance of different carbon isotopes can vary depending on the source.
Re: (Score:2)
Okay, fair point. But the ratio of C12 to C13 doesn't make one source ickier than another. There's no odor or bacteria or anything like that left.
A more appropriate location? (Score:2)
That would be Locarno, Switzerland, whose transport agency is known as Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi .
No $hit! (Score:2)
This a truly poomendous achievement. The #2 most impressive use of human feces I've ever heard of, behind only Mr. Hankey.
To quite "Infinity Train" (Score:2)
To quote Infinity Train: " "I bet it's a fart car." More serious comment: this is gross but obviously good from an environmental and energy use standpoint. Methane would otherwise go unused into the atmosphere where it is a really bad greenhouse gas, or just get burned off. This way it gets used.