The Biogas Cowboy from Bali

Pigs' squeals pierced the air at I Wayan Darmawan's ranch. About 80 of the animals were lined up in wooden pens at his place in Kampung Pengotan, Bangli regency, Bali. At first glance, the pens looked different from others in the area. A large cement dome was protruding from the ground near it. The object was a digester, a device that produces gas from animal waste. It has been up and running for eight months. "I use this gas to cook and heat water," he said.

In the past, Darmawan would buy seven three-kilogram tanks of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) at a time for the kitchen of his seven-member family. He paid Rp16,000 per tank. In addition saving him money on gas, the digester also provides him with organic liquid, which he uses on his orange grove. "My monthly costs have gone way down," he told Tempo.

June 17, 2014