Council: Grass is greener for fuel

CORK City Council is planning to “go green” by fuelling its vehicles with gas produced from decomposing grass.

The novel solution to the energy crisis was revealed yesterday by the council’s project director at the Lifetime Laboratory, Michael O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien said work was starting on the project, and he hoped to have the first of the council’s vehicles running on the gas within three years.

“We see a tremendous future in this. There’s plenty of ordinary green grass around, so it’s sustainable energy,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The project is at an embryonic stage, but we believe it has great potential.”

The council is collaborating with Dr Jerry Murphy of University College Cork.

The council would be able to utilise the large amount of grass cut by its Parks Department.

Mr O’ Brien said the council would also look at buying grass on a contract basis from farmers.

Mr O’Brien revealed that the Lifetime Lab, which recently won a prestigious Public Service Award from the Taoiseach, was also looking at getting the steam turbines working again at its headquarters at the old waterworks on the Lee Road.

Steam power will form part of a new course at the Lifetime Lab’s Science in the City exhibition.

More than 5,000 national school pupils visited the laboratory last year.

“We see ourselves as a nursery for tomorrow’s scientists,” said Mr O’Brien.