UK Biomethane Production Doubles in 1 Year in the UK

Advances in UK biomethane production during 2016 have been phenomenally good. Although many in the AD industry are concerned that the growth in 2017 and future years may be far lower, due to subsidy rate reductions and withdrawals.

Although there has been much talk of the UK anaerobic digestion industry being halted in its tracks in 2017, due to the rapidity and unpredictability, of the UK government's recent renewable energy subsidy reductions. Let us not forget to celebrate what has been achieved.

The UK now has almost 90 plants injecting green biomethane into the gas grid, double the number this time last year, according to a new report published by the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA).

UK Biomethane production doubled in 2016 says ADBA

ADBA’s December 2016 Market Report investigates and explores the growth, developments and market changes in the AD industry to date. The report was launched yesterday [Thursday 8th  December] at the ADBA National Conference in Westminster.

The report shows that the total number of AD plants in live operation has risen from 424 a year ago to 540 today, giving the UK more capacity to recycle food waste, more sustainable farming and wastewater treatment, more low-carbon baseload electricity, and more green gas in our grid. AD has also already reduced UK greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 1 percent annually.

The growth has come despite policy uncertainty around the future of low carbon energy support, which ADBA warns is stifling future growth.

“In 2015 and 2016 green gas has gone mainstream, with biomethane now heating around 170,000 homes in the UK without the householder needing to do anything differently themselves, ” said Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA. “Biomethane to the grid is a real success story for the Renewable Heat Incentive, and we look forward to the government setting out its plans for the next phase of the support scheme.”

Ms Morton added that incentives for renewable electricity are currently heavily restricted, which is a huge missed opportunity. However, with the right support, the biogas industry could deliver 250 MW of new generation capacity over the next two years – enough to add 10 percent to the UK’s tight winter 2018 capacity margin and bring benefits to farming, recycling, and the economy. The UK Governments Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) should therefore urgently address the Feed-in Tariff budget to boost investment in this vital infrastructure for reliable baseload power. via http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/biogas/uk-biomethane-production-doubled-in-2016-says-20161209

The results of the UK-wide consultation process which went ahead this year (2016) have now been published, and in some areas, there is room for cautious optimism that a reasonable scheme which is both supportive of the AD and biomethane sectors, and of the sustainable use of biomass, may emerge.

What UK Government RHI subsidy policy becomes after the anticipated further changes to be made in 2017, is a hot topic for the UK AD plant industry. The future of anaerobic digestion is seen by many as being crucial to the continuation of AD Plant schemes across the nation. It comes at a time when the added advantages of production biomethane are being better appreciated, and uptake of the process to produce CNG (Compressed Renewable Natural Gas) is rising fast so the RHI Scheme will be central to most decisions whether to proceed with biomethane producing AD projects. via http://anaerobic-digestion.com/uk-government-biomethane-rhi/

The UK has not been the only country in which biomethane production has grown throughout 2016. The number of biomethane facilities has risen rapidly in the US as well, and the following example project is breaking ground this month:

Biomethane Installation Advances in the US

Carbon Cycle Energy Breaks Ground on $100-Million Biogas Facility in North Carolina

Nation's largest utility-scale biogas plant will turn agricultural and food waste into pipeline-grade biomethane for Duke Energy

The largest utility-scale biogas facility in the U.S., capable of transforming animal and food waste into enough clean energy to power 32,000 homes annually, will break ground on Dec. 15 near Warsaw, N.C.

The $100-million facility, located on 82 acres in southeastern North Carolina, is the first in a pipeline of large-scale anaerobic digestion and biogas treatment facilities planned by Carbon Cycle Energy (C2e), the renewable energy development company based in Boulder, Colo.

Upon completion in late 2017, the biogas facility, known as C2e Renewables NC, will process in excess of 750,000 tons of organic waste per year. It will produce enough fuel annually to generate approximately 290,000 MWH of electricity, far surpassing the capacity of any other standalone facility in the U.S., according to C2e CEO James Powell.

C2e has already signed contracts to supply 100 percent of the plant's output of biomethane to the utility giant Duke Energy and a second, unnamed Fortune 500 company.

At full capacity, the plant will generate 6,500 dekatherms of biomethane per day, equivalent to roughly 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Biogas (also called renewable natural gas) is a clean-burning, "carbon-neutral" alternative to fossil fuels.

"The sheer size of this project means that it will have a huge environmental impact both by addressing the major pollution problem caused by greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing food and animal waste and by producing an alternative to fossil fuels in commercially significant volumes," Powell said. via carbon-cycle-energy-breaks-ground-on-100-million-biogas-facility-in-north-carolina

Air Liquide to Build Landfill Gas Purification Plant in Walnut, Mississippi

French industrial gasses firm, Air Liquide, is to construct and operate a landfill gas (LFG) to renewable natural gas (RNG) purification plant in Walnut, Mississippi.

French industrial gasses firm, Air Liquide, is to construct and operate a landfill gas (LFG) to renewable natural gas (RNG) purification plant in Walnut, Mississippi.

The company said that the plant will enable the conversion of the methane emitted by waste into enough RNG to heat an estimated 4500 homes per year

The site, owned by the Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Management Authority, is operated by the national solid waste company, Waste Connections, Inc and receives approximately 350,000 tons (317,500 tonnes) of waste per year.

Using Air Liquide's gas separation membrane technology, the plant will have the capability to purify the methane emitted by waste decay and make it suitable for use.

The plant is expected to break ground in Q1 of 2017 and has an initial production capacity of 1300 mmBTU/day, with plans to expand.

Air Liquide said that its purification modules are able to separate methane and carbon dioxide using an innovative process involving patented polymeric membranes manufactured by Air Liquide Advanced Separations (ALaS). This efficient system generates high-quality biomethane with methane content between 95% and 99%.

"The new biogas project will enable us to transform waste and unused energy resources into renewable, carbon-reducing energy for the community and surrounding cities,” commented Chet Benham, VP of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC.

“Air Liquide is actively working to continue our growth in biogas purification plants in the U.S., and to provide clean energy for sustainable communities," he added. via hAir-liquide-to-build-landfill-gas-purification-plant-in-walnut-mississippi

UK Food Waste Recycling Action Plan and Sainsbury's

Earlier this year the UK government provided a welcome initiative in the form of the Food Waste Recycling Action Plan, for the promotion of food waste anaerobic digestion in the UK.

There are reported to be over 100 AD plants in the pipeline for instruction in the UK currently, but unfortunately, most of those will be plants which will use mostly maize and other crops to provide their feedstock.

To encourage food waste digestion development makes a lot of sense.

A far more environmentally sustainable use of AD technology is the production of biogas from food waste, especially since that waste would otherwise usually be sent to landfills.

Food waste is also the best of all the wastes to digest anaerobically is because it would be highly damaging to the environment if food waste, ever escaped from a landfill into the underlying groundwater.

Also, food waste produces more biogas per unit weight than any other waste type.

The food waste action plan was reported by ADBA in July 2016, as follows:

Food Waste Recycling Action Plan shows welcome government commitment ADBA

Responding to the launch of the Food Waste Recycling Action Plan at UK AD & Biogas 2016, Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), said:

“The Food Waste Recycling Action Plan has been a positive, collaborative process between government, WRAP, trade associations, AD operators and local authorities. It sets out a series of practical actions which will help increase the capture and recycling of food waste which cannot be eaten.

“The AD industry is delighted that Defra Minister Rory Steward has engaged in the plan, and welcomes his wider recognition that food waste policy is important for the UK’s economy and carbon budgets.

“ADBA is pleased to have been part of the steering group which has produced the FWRAP, and looks forward to continuing to work with partners to deliver the actions it has set out.”

The Food Waste Recycling Action Plan is available via the WRAP website, www.wrap.org.uk/foodwasterecycling.

Defra Minister Rory Stewart MP welcomed the Action Plan, saying:

The growth of the food waste recycling in the UK is a real success story, but more can be done.  I welcome the Action Plan, showing how by working together, industry, government, businesses and local authorities can drive up the amount of unavoidable, inedible food waste that is recycled, helping our environment and boosting our economy.

via ADBA: Food Waste Recycling Action Plan shows welcome government commitment | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

The Food Waste Recycling Action Plan has been welcomed by many businesses which produce food waste, but have been unable so far to dispose of their food waste to suitable AD plants. The problem has been for them to find sufficient local biogas plants to send their food waste to.

UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's has been experiencing that problem, but as food waste digesters have been opening across the UK, its ability to use them is now proving more successful as described below:

J Sainsbury plc / Sainsbury's becomes largest retail user of anaerobic digestion

Supermarket signs three year deal with Biffa.

Sainsbury's has become the UK's largest anaerobic digestion (AD) retailer after signing a ground breaking deal with Biffa. The three year deal means all food waste from Sainsbury's will be sent to AD plants around the country.

The deal will see food waste collected from Sainsbury's distribution centres across the UK, then processed to produce renewable energy to power homes and businesses. None of the food waste from Sainsbury's supermarkets is sent to landfill, but some of it goes to other waste from energy processes. This new deal will ensure all of it is sent for AD.

Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury's property director, said: "Anaerobic digestion is the most efficient way to create energy from waste, so this new contract means our food waste is being put to the best possible use.

"It has taken quite some time for us to get into a position where we are able to send all of our food waste to AD due to a lack of facilities in the UK. However, I am pleased to see that the waste industry is catching up with demand for this green technology.

"This new contract builds on our existing leadership position on AD, making us the largest retail user of AD in the country."

via J Sainsbury plc / Sainsbury's becomes largest retail user of anaerobic digestion

Food waste produces plenty of power when digested. The following article confirms just how useful, that power in the form of electricity can be:

Local Food Waste Anaerobic Digestion Plant Produces Enough to Provide 80% of the Energy to the Nearby Town

When Resourceful Earth Limited announced it would be building a facility to convert 35,000 tons of the local food waste to power each year—enough to provide 80 percent of the energy to the nearby town of Keynsham, U.K—the company became the latest to employ anaerobic digestion to reduce waste, generate energy and cut down on carbon emissions. It’s localism taken to its conclusion, not just what a community buys, but what it gets rid of, too.

“That’s our ideal plan, to make … a system where we’re actually a closed loop,” 

says Jo Downes, brand manager for Resourceful Earth.

“It’s all self contained. Food waste is produced by a community, it’s converted to electricity, and it goes back to that community again. It’s self-sustaining.”

Anaerobic digestion, as a way of converting biomass to energy, has been practiced for hundreds of years, but the effort in Keynsham is one indicator of the technology’s maturation.

As focus around the world has turned to renewable energy, anaerobic digestion has started to become an economically viable energy source that capitalizes on humans at our most wasteful—and most creative. Local municipalities, including wastewater facilities, as well as private companies and even the Department of Energy are fine-tuning the tech to make it more efficient and practical.

“Anaerobic digestion is fascinating because it’s a relatively easy, natural way of turning a broad variety of complex waste into a simple fuel gas,” 

says David Babson, a technology manager at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office.

“Closing waste loops and recovering energy from waste presents a profound opportunity to simultaneously improve waste management and address climate change.”

The technology itself is rather simple. Enclose a mixture of moist, organic material like kitchen waste, or waste from humans or farms or food processing facilities, in an oxygen-free container with naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria.

The waste breaks down through four different consecutive processes, ultimately releasing carbon dioxide, water, methane, and a dark slurry of organic material and nutrients called digestate.

The methane is siphoned off, and refined for use as a fuel, or burned to power turbines. via Why Anaerobic Digestion Is Becoming the Next Big Renewable Energy Source

Life After the UK FiT Scheme Ends: Selling Biomethane to European Corporates

Many UK anaerobic digestion plant owners must be concerned that the profitability of their biogas plants is destined to fall as the UK FiT scheme ends, and the premium income from electricity fed into the UK national grid disappears. In addition, many potential newcomers hoping to invest in AD Plants in the UK will be seeking alternative ways to market the energy from AD plants.

That is why we were so impressed by the following article that we decided to republish a large part of it here for our readers.

The Move to Biomethane

Adding a final stage of purification, to achieve the high purity necessary to inject the gas into the gas grid, is an additional cost, but can be an alternative to the investment in electricity generator units (gas engines) for new plants.

is this the way ahead for the UK's farm biogas plants and for other waste source fed, AD plants? We welcome comments from you, our readers.

Farmers with anaerobic digestion urged to tap into growing demand for green energy in Europe

Farmers and rural businesses with an anaerobic digestion plant could secure a 10-20% premium on the gas they produce by tapping into growing demand for green energy across Europe.

Currently, most AD plants burn the gas they produce to generate electricity and heat.
But there is an emerging market for bio-methane, which can be injected directly into the gas main, says Richard Palmer, Energy Consultant at Butler Sherborn Energy.

"Although consumers in the UK are reluctant to pay a premium for this green energy, corporate energy customers across Europe are increasingly keen to demonstrate their energy credentials," he says.

"We have secured an agreement with a major energy company, which can pipe green gas through the interconnected gas mains to European customers, so can now offer British producers a share of this premium market."

The development comes at a critical time for the British renewable energy industry, which is looking increasingly unstable as a result of Government spending reviews and Brexit.

"Historically, biogas has been used primarily to generate electricity, supported by the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)," says Mr Palmer.

"However, in 2011 the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) helped to kick-start the market for bio-methane injection in to the mains gas grid.

"So far this has yielded two income streams: the RHI and the wholesale gas price. Now there is a third source of revenue, offering a 10-20% premium over current wholesale gas returns."

Tariff reductions

Lucy Hopwood, Director at bio-economy consultant NNFCC, says that gaining added value for green gas is very timely in light of recent tariff reductions.

"It’s no longer possible to add additional capacity under the FiT scheme and the same is soon likely to be true of the RHI.

"So for many plants expansion isn’t an option – they must make better use of what they have," she explains.

"Developers are also starting to look at how they can increase productivity, without the expense of capital outlay."

Existing plants can be converted to purify the gas by removing carbon dioxide and trace gases, after which the bio-methane is injected into the gas main and sold as renewable fuel, tracked via international trading schemes.

"Until now, Green Gas Certificates have represented little added value to the producer, as British consumers are reluctant to pay more for renewable fuel.

"Developers are also starting to look at how they can increase productivity, without the expense of capital outlay"

Tapping into European market

"Only now that we can tap into the European market can the opportunity be realised in the short-term," says Mr Palmer.

"That said, this is still an immature market in the UK and it may be that in the longer term British companies will be put under pressure to cut their carbon output, leading to premiums being available here."

Gas producers will have to register and meet the sustainability criteria of the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification body.

"Most farmers’ AD feedstock will meet these criteria and the costs of any audit required will be covered by the energy company," says Mr Palmer.

"The gas premium will depend on the carbon level of the feedstock, and as power purchase agreements can be made in advance it does not matter if the renewal on any existing gas contract, or commissioning of a new bio-methane plant, is over 12 months from now."

via Farmers with anaerobic digestion urged to tap into growing demand for green energy in Europe - Farming UK News

Electricity Demand Response - The UK's Best Hope for Keeping the Lights On as Government Fails to Replace Power Station Closures

Does the term "electricity demand response" mean anything to you? Ever wondered how it is that every year the UK closes coal and old nuclear power stations, and yet so far, even in the coldest winter weather the power has stayed on?

Increasingly, the reason is going to be the use of a technology known as electricity demand response. The concept is simple. Why maintain old, dirty and inefficient  power stations at the end of their useful lives, just to power them up for a few days annually during the coldest weather, if it can be avoided, If you can get power users to stop consuming their power for short periods, and pay them for the inconvenience wouldn't that be a better solution?

Here is what the Consortium for Energy Innovation in the US, have to say about this:

"To avoid unnecessary investments in transmission and generation resources, a good solution is to apply Demand Response programs to reduce the demand for electricity at peak hours, when generating electricity is more costly. Customers do not see how the electricity prices change on the real-time market, since most of them pay a flat rate based on the average price of electricity, therefore Demand Response programs can offer incentives to consumers to reduce their usage at peak hours, through rebates or as a response to higher electricity prices. For the residential customers, these programs yield positive results because users reduce their load at peak hours and, in some cases, they shift their usage to lower price periods. For industrial customers, the Demand Response programs there have not been as numerous experiments as for the residential sector, but they still yield a positive usage reduction." via implications-of-electricity-demand-response-experiment-structures-for-commercial-customers

Of course, a simple idea like this will require some truly revolutionary technology to make it work. Work will be needed both in physically modifying power grids on the ground, to accommodate the far more widely fluctuating demands for electrical power to flow around the power grid system and in cyberspace to instantaneously predict and control consumer power loads.

A whole new area of research and development has emerged, and the paragraph below provides a flavour for the topic:

"Electricity demand response is considered a promising tool to balance the electricity demand and supply during peak periods. It can effectively reduce the cost of building and operating those peaking power generators that are only run a few hundred hours per year to satisfy the peak demand. The research on the electricity demand response implementation for residential and commercial building sectors has been very mature. Recently, it has also been extended to the manufacturing sector. In this paper, a simulation-based optimization method is developed to identify the optimal demand response decisions for the typical manufacturing systems with multiple machines and buffers. Different objectives, i.e. minimizing the power consumption under the constraint of system throughput, and maximize the overall earnings considering the trade-off between power demand reduction and potential production loss, are considered. Different energy control decisions are analyzed and compared regarding the potential influence on the throughput of manufacturing system due to the different control actions adopted by throughput bottleneck machine". via Elsevier-simulation-based-optimization-of-electricity-demand-response

At one level this could be seen as an easy way out for politicians unable to reconcile the need for new (low carbon emissions) power stations which they don't want the nation to invest in, and which become beset with inevitable the public objections to all new power station projects.

Of course, as the proportion of highly changeable renewable energy sources into any power grid system rises, the distribution systems these feed into will in any event have to be adapted to much more rapidly bring in additional power sources. It will also rapidly disconnect them again after peak-demand periods, in response to changes in demand due to weather and temperatures.

There are good reasons for adopting new electricity demand response technology as the idea has great synergies with efforts to carbonise energy consumption.

It may even help indirectly to reduce the cost of water supply, and sewage treatment. That is because the water industry can fairly easily adopt systems which shed their loadings for short periods, and yet still provide their water services. Reservoirs and service tanks can be refilled after peak electricity demand periods cease, and if necessary equipment can be adjusted to work a percentage point or two harder when it is working, without noticeable effects on performance. Up to a point, the water industry is keen to co-operate because the costs of doing this, will be likely to be significantly less than the incentive payments made by the electricity supply companies.

Electricity Demand Response and the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry

Disadvantages of Electricity Demand Response Implementation

For the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry, the downside is that implementation of demand response technology reduces the absolute necessity for constant 24/7 electrical power production which AD Plants, are ideally placed to supply.

That means that the otherwise dire consequences to the national economy of power station closures, can possibly be avoided while still decimating previous renewable energy incentives. In particular we refer to the recent UK reductions in AD plant construction grants, tax relief, and energy production grants in various forms

With total UK AD Plant capacity now predicted to rise to in the region of 10% of total total electricity supply over the next 2 years or so, the contribution the AD industry could add further to this is of real consequence,

Advantages of Electricity Demand Response Implementation

On the plus side, there is an opportunity for existing AD Plant operators to bid for demand response contracts. AD Plant operators can undertake to supply enhanced output during peak periods by running at full output, and /or shedding their own loads (including on-farm).

Any site owner, including AD Plant owners with additional capacity to feed electrical power into the grid can elect to install additional diesel generation capacity purely to run them up to supply power during peak demand periods.

Finally, AD plant operators may find it increasingly advantageous to add battery energy storage to their AD facilities, and to inject stored battery power into the grid exactly as needed by the power companies.

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR VIEWS ON THIS SUBJECT.

Uncertain Outlook for UK Anaerobic Digestion in 2017

The continued high level of activity of UK anaerobic digestion sector was open to doubt before the nation voted to leave the EU during a referendum in June 2016. Now, 3 months on the picture looks no clearer.

UK Anaerobic Digestion – Leaving You Short Of Breath

The UK’s biogas sector faces an uncertain future following the latest report from The National Non-Food Crops Centre.

Past and current growth rates in the sector look set to plateau around late 2017. This will inevitably bring with it increased investor uncertainty and reduced backing from government groups.

Statistics show over 450 sites are in the development phase at the moment, with predictions indicating that just over 50% of these will be successfully built and become fully operational.
There is of course still potential for sites to go ahead and be built albeit behind schedule, but planning for new sites has taken a dramatic hit with around 50% fewer sites making it past the planning stage in the last year.

Growth is the problem

Rather ironically, the substantial growth in the sector is what is creating its demise, as investors were speedily getting multiple plants through the planning stage in order to gain incentives such as the Feed-in-tariff (FIT’s) and Renewable heat incentives (RHI).

As a result, the quarterly caps set on these schemes are being hit significantly ahead of schedule, therefore triggering cuts in the prospective quarters as the government looks to decrease its investment in the sector.

Whilst ongoing research is conducted and final papers are due on the FIT’s rates moving forward, it seems that it may be too little too late for this sector in the EU. via Anaerobic Digestion – Leaving You Short Of Breath

ADBA reacts to EU referendum | News | ADBA

Commenting on the UK's decision to leave the European Union, ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said:

“The policy framework for anaerobic digestion has been closely linked to European directives, and the industry will need to work hard to ensure that we maintain and build our place in Britain’s future."
“The UK’s fundamental need for secure energy, waste treatment, clean water and a strong British farming sector continue. The AD sector needs to make its voice heard, and to work closely with the government to build new structures in all the areas that affect us.”

via ADBA reacts to EU referendum | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

And yet clearly some UK anaerobic digestion projects which have recently been brought on-stream are providing a high degree of success, and an example of one such project follows:

Biogas - Saria runs one of its sites completely off-grid using anaerobic digestion

The firm’s state-of-the-art ReFood anaerobic digestion plant recycles more than 160,000 tonnes of food waste per year, generating 5 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity via combined heat and power (CHP), alongside hot water and heat. A percentage of the energy is being used to power other businesses at the Doncaster Ings Road site, as part of a group-wide sustainability initiative.

The Doncaster site, which consists of businesses operating right across the food chain by-products industry, also produces a sustainable biofertiliser as a by-product of the process. This is being used by local farmers to support crop growth.

“With a group-wide commitment to energy efficiency, realising our goal of achieving off-grid status is a noteworthy achievement – demonstrating true commitment to meeting food sector sustainability targets” said Philip Simpson, commercial director at Saria Ltd. “Through continued investment and our pioneering AD process, we are now able to not only provide homes and businesses across the region with access to a complexly sustainable energy source, but also minimise our own reliance on fossil fuels.”

Saria prioritises sustainability across its business operations, with a highly environmentally-friendly vehicle fleet and sustainable building methods that are utilised in every new site development and expansion project undertaken. Each of the company’s UK facilities feature state-of-the-art energy saving measures to minimise environmental impact. via Saria runs one of its sites completely off-grid using anaerobic digestion

It is to be hoped that the vision of companies like Saria, which competes for shareholder funding with other businesses, will continue and be adopted with equal enthusiasm elsewhere.

Nowadays, retaining a high long-time share price ahead of rivals, is seen as essential by many ambitious companies. Let us hope that the desire for sustainability as a route toward gaining that shareholder credibility, will continue. It certainly can be a significant incentive toward further anaerobic digestion plant investment. It is to be hoped that this will prove to be a significant factor in encouraging UK Anaerobic Digestion Plant investment going forward.

ADBA Fights for Survival of UK Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry

Against a backdrop of government apathy, ADBA, (the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association), continues to publicise the benefits of anaerobic digestion, and of developing bioresources/ biogas production. The members of this very active trade association, should be pleased.

This association is unmatched for its efforts by any other biogas industry trade association, in any other nation globally. But, will the UK government be listening?

It is fighting for the survival of the UK biogas (also known as bioresources) industry, as a viable growing industry, able to continue to innovate and grow. The threat is the complete removal of all continuing financial support from the UK government, from new AD projects.

The following are some examples of recent ADBA articles:

1. They promote equality of the sexes:

Making a Difference in AD - Celebrating National Women in Engineering Day

National Women in Engineering Day, [is] an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry. via Making a Difference in AD - Celebrating National Women in Engineering Day | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

In the next ADBA press release, they publicise On-farm AD:

The UK’s biogas sector has passed a major milestone, with over 200 plants now operating on UK farms according to ADBA's latest figures.

The landmark was reached with the opening of JFS’ latest agricultural plant. Supported by Prism Planning Ltd, the Gravel Pit Farm plant in North Yorkshire is now on-stream, producing sustainable energy and recycling nutrients from cow manure, chicken muck and spoilt grain and straw.

When ADBA was founded in 2009, there were 19 biogas plants on farms across the country.

However, applications for planning permission are now falling as the industry reacts to reductions in renewable energy support. Full figures will be published in ADBA’s latest Market Report at UK AD & Biogas on 6 July.

Matt Flint, Director, JFS, commented:

"We have developed and remain involved operationally with ten AD plants in the UK and have seen first-hand the real life benefits this diversification can bring to our farming partners. Contributing to the renewable energy targets for the UK has been rewarding, exciting and often frustrating in equal measure, but we remain hopeful that the future is bright for the farming anaerobic digestion industry. We will continue to strive towards the renewable energy goals that we are confident AD can produce/deliver."

Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA, commented:

“Anaerobic digestion is a proven technology which the Committee on Climate Change has said is essential for decarbonising our farming sector – cutting emissions from manures, slurries and wastes; generating a flexible low carbon form of energy; and replacing carbon-intensive artificial fertilisers.On-farm AD passes 200 plant milestone - ADBA figures | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association via On-farm AD passes 200 plant milestone - ADBA figures | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

They make dry subjects interesting by their titles:

Can research and innovation rescue on-farm AD? | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association via Can research and innovation rescue on-farm AD? | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

Finally, they are quick to react to surprising changes which will have large consequences for the UK anaerobic digestion and bioresources industry.

ADBA reacts to EU referendum | News | ADBA

Commenting on the UK's decision to leave the European Union, ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said:

“The policy framework for anaerobic digestion has been closely linked to European directives, and the industry will need to work hard to ensure that we maintain and build our place in Britain’s future.

“The UK’s fundamental need for secure energy, waste treatment, clean water and a strong British farming sector continue. The AD sector needs to make its voice heard, and to work closely with the government to build new structures in all the areas that affect us.”

via ADBA reacts to EU referendum | News | ADBA | Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association

So, what more could be asked for?

It would be hoped hat the UK energy decision makers, and those keen to see UK industry innovate, and develop job generating new opportunities, while reducing carbon emissions, will listen and act.
The benefits of AD are real and very well proven.

Encouraging anaerobic digestion and bioresource industry investment, is a no brainer, especially when compared to the obscene cost of nuclear power as exemplified by the new Hinkley Point (EDL) nuclear power plant project.

Why not scrap it now, and plough equal resources into anaerobic Digestion based processes? That would make so much more sense.

Anaerobic digestion is a method of treatment. Watch our video below to understand anaerobic treatment:

UK Anaerobic Digestion Industry is Still Bubbling the Gas!

Despite numerous profits of doom six months ago, the UK anaerobic digestion industry seems to be surviving and the "webosphere", as I think the BBC's Andrew Neil quaintly calls it, is still bubbling with the news. There have been announcements within the last month (June 2016) of not only existing UK biogas plants being commissioned, but also of new projects starting.

Source : pinterest.com

Although the UK industry may soon be damaged by the investment uncertainties which surround the UK's EU "Brexit", the withdrawal of UK government subsidy funding in a variety of forms over the last year or so, may be something that the industry can work through. 

If it can do this without losing the growing biogas skills-base so gradually developed over the last 10 years, it will be a major achievement. That would then, provide a much needed basis for exporting UK biogas skills worldwide to make the UK a more global exporter instead of relying on UK and European markets.

The push toward separate food waste collection is one area of growth in which there should be more development, and local authority waste managers were being encouraged by biogas plant company Biogen last month at waste industry events, to look at the lower food waste disposal gate fees available now that a number of food waste plants have been brought on-stream especially throughout the midlands.

With more food waste plants available, previously "eye-wateringly high" food waste disposal charges have been dropping certainly in the midlands and the number of facilities available will now mean that the transport distance costs will become much more reasonable for new local authority food waste collection schemes in England.

The following are a few of the articles which have appeared, which show new developments in the UK anaerobic digestion scene:

£8m farm biogas plant powering 2,500 homes approved

Planners have approved a scheme to build an £8m biogas plant on a farm in Northamptonshire, turning waste into energy. Raw Biogas successfully applied for planning permission to build the anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Wormslade Farm in Kelmarsh, near Market Harborough.
The project aims to process 46,000t of manure and crops each year to power 2,500 homes. See also: ‘Proposed cuts to AD support threaten future of farm biogas’ Clipston Parish Council – and three other parish councils – […]

via £8m farm biogas plant powering 2,500 homes approved

Ten Questions to Answer before building an AD Plant in the UK

Despite anticipated tariff degradations (DECC), there are still strong commercial opportunities for UK farmers and land owners within the UK compact (sub 250kW) Anaerobic Digestion (AD) sector.
Compact AD has advanced significantly in the past few years – both from a biotech and industrialisation perspective – and there are now efficient and reliable modular technologies (such as NGB) and plants that are well suited to the UK landscape and farming sector.
But with increasing planning hurdles and lower government incentives, managing your AD plant project for operational and commercial success needs close attention.

via Ten Questions to Answer before building an AD Plant in the UK

Halton Borough Council has launched a food waste recycling pilot scheme in partnership with food waste recycler, ReFood

Taking place across 1,200 homes in Hale in Widnes and Heath in Runcorn, the new service will be operating for the next six months.
The Council currently spends more than £3m per year dealing with general waste and, notwithstanding the environmental benefits of recycling food, is introducing this new scheme with an aim of making a saving.
It says the cost of processing separately collected food waste is significantly cheaper than the cost of dealing with general waste collected through black bins, making recycling a highly effective alternative.
Spending less money on dealing with general waste will help to minimise the impact of budget reductions and allow the Council to maintain frontline services for the local community that may otherwise be at risk of being ceased or reduced in level, it says.
ReFood: With ReFood operating a state-of-the-art food waste recycling facility in Widnes, the company is the perfect partner for Halton Borough Council. The trial will see residents recycle plate scrapings, peelings and unused food – including that still in its packaging.
ReFood then collects the waste and recycles it via anaerobic digestion – capturing the biogas produced during food waste’s natural degradation process. The gas is upgraded and fed directly to the national gas grid where it is used by consumers to heat their homes. The process also produces a nutrient-rich fertiliser, ReGrow, which is being used by local farmers to grow new crops, creating a completely sustainable food chain.

via Halton Launches Food Waste Recycling Trial

The Essential Part of Every Biogas Plant that Nobody Tells You About

Who told you about "feedstock storage"? At this blog we lay bare the details of anaerobic digestion that nobody else talks about!

Almost all anaerobic digestion and biogas plants need to store feedstock, and doing that needs land space, and also significant spending on storage bays, tanks etc. These can be expensive... Who else talks about that?

There are some exceptions to these big storage requirements, but they are not common. Biogas plants which don't necessarily need large storage areas are anaerobic digestion facilities which are purely used for water treatment (for example a UASB Plant), and for them the "feedstock" is already in the water that flows through them. WasteWater Treatment Works sludge digesters are another example, where very little sludge is stored, but these are exceptions to the general rule.

All other anaerobic digestion facilities need feedstock storage to store seasonal feed materials, and to provide reserves of feed materials ready for use in times when the supply of feedstocks to digest, will be seasonally low, or may not be being supplied at all.

Feed materials, while being stored will also usually produce liquids which need to be contained and collected, otherwise they can be damaging to the environment. The need therefore, very often arises for biogas plants to have large engineered storage areas to hold organic feed materials. These need to be carefully designed and to comply with emissions prevention measures as well.

An example of feedstock storage is provided below, in which a UK specialist contractor in this field of expertise announces a recent project:

Whites Concrete AD service is made to measure for PH Bioenergy feedstock storage

Press Release: 1 July 2016: The installation of pre-stressed Baywall panels, designed and manufactured by Whites Concrete, has created important new feedstock storage space for PH Bioenergy in Grantham.

 The flat Baywall panels have combined to form new storage bunkers for PH Bioenergy, who utilise grass silage as well as cooked and uncooked potatoes for its AD feedstock.
“The upgrade of existing silage pits and various extensions created some unusual profiles and angles”, said Rob Chorlton from PH Bioenergy, “but the measurements from Whites Concrete have been spot on”.

(c) Whites Concrete

He added: “In fact, the whole service we’ve received from Whites Concrete has been much more than just supplying the pre-cast panels. They have been very helpful throughout, including delivery, as well as assisting us with lifting equipment and also drawings during the early design stages to assist us in gaining approval from the Environment Agency”.

Stephen Casey from Whites Concrete, said: “We understand that no two farm AD plants are the same and that for many farmers, getting an AD plant up and running with appropriate storage is no mean feat. We were very pleased to help Rob wherever we could and play our part in making the PH Bioenergy AD plant a very successful one”.

For those that are planning new AD Plants, the message is out. Take care to plan ahead for adequate feedstock storage, and the cost benefits can be large. The benefits come from avoiding long periods when a digester would be running at below its designed biogas yield, due to a lack of feedstock availability.

For more information visit Whites Concrete website here.

UK Anaerobic Digestion Industry is Obsessed with Feed-in Tarrif Cuts

This week there are many players in the UK anaerobic digestion industry who have been blogging and sending out news releases complaining about the UK government's continuing reductions in the taxpayer subsidised UK Feed-in Tarrif (FiT). This is an additional payment which approved AD Plant operators are guaranteed to be paid, in addition to the normal payment per kWh, for their renewable biogas energy generated electricity.

It really is not news that the biogas plant capacity which will be granted at a preferential FiT, is being progressively reduced. So, the only aspect of that might be seen as "news" is the way in which the FiT is being reduced, through technical aspects of the way it is being handed out.

FiT allocations are being dribbled out in batches every 3 months by the government department responsible (DECC), and each time they open the doors for new project submissions, the budgeted FiT allowances are being taken up in a matter of minutes.

Is it any wonder that a government desperate to save on public spending, will seize on that indication, to assume that the industry is healthy? With so many backers of the anaerobic digestion process clamouring to develop projects and apply for FiT payments, the Politicians must be assuming that the UK AD industry can hardly fail?

UK Anaerobic Digestion Plant Promoters Should Stop Complaining!

The view from this blogger is that there are many other ways to sell the biogas energy produced by biogas plants. Producing electricity is only one way to monetize biogas energy!

It is accepted that other methods may often, but not always, require additional investment in cleaning up the raw biogas, before these alternative markets can be supplied, but these new products can command higher payment. They also waste less of the energy, and can therefore be more environmentally sustainable.

The best alternative for many is biogas upgrading which can be done to a variety of quality specifications, with the most stringent being for injection into the natural gas supply grid.

Upgrading technology to do this has improved hugely in the last few years, and the market for renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) is one that is insatiable. At least cannot be over-supplied within current forecasts for biogas feed-stock availability, so why complain? simply accept reality, and like most of the rest of the world, get on and live with it!

The following is a round up of a sample of the complaining articles I refer to. Come on AD'ers. Stop moaning and live with it!

New Feed-in-Tariffs Hampering Anaerobic Digestion Development in UK

Charlotte Morton, ADBA’s chief executive, commented:

“The FIT deployment cap of 20MW per year for AD is already constraining much needed baseload capacity, failing to recognise our industry’s ambition. Not rolling over unused capacity from one tariff period to the next is salt in the wound and a shocking waste of MWs worth of renewable electricity which DECC has already accounted for.

Via New Feed-in-Tariffs Hampering Anaerobic Digestion Development in UK

"UK Feed-In Tariff cuts for new anaerobic digestion plants could be worse than thought", via UK Feed-In Tariff cuts for new anaerobic digestion plants could be worse than thought

10% FIT Capacity For Anaerobic Digestion “Wasted”CIWM Journal Online

The new FIT scheme has quarterly “caps” on maximum deployment for each technology, which are set at 5MW for AD. An application for a plant that breaches the cap is counted towards the next quarter – but any capacity unused is simply lost.

This is despite the government’s consultation response saying that “any unused capacity for a particular technology and degression band from one quarter simply gets added on to the next quarter.” Via 10% FIT Capacity For Anaerobic Digestion “Wasted”

The industry needs to stand-back from all this, and realise that it the UK Referendum on 23 June, results in the UK leaving the EU, the power of Prime Minister Cameron will be greatly diminished and in that case the Department of Environment and Climate Change will probably be very quickly closed down.

The UK Treasury clearly would like to close DECC, and Cameron is surrounded by politicians who are openly antagonistic to subsidising energy (with some holding no sympathy at all with those that seek to limit climate change), so what chance would this department then hold of even being around to hand out any FiTs at all?

It would be much better for the UK AD Industry to accept reality and concentrate on produce other alternative biogas energy products and market their renewable energy into those markets. Electricity production is after all, a wasteful use of this valuable energy, and with transmission losses etc., only about 30% to 50% will ever reach the consumer.

Baseline electricity supply 24/7 is important, but can be supplied by a myriad of small peak load shedding diesel generators located at the premises of the main power users. The UK government is subsidising those installations. It will potentially be able to extend those programmes much more cheaply than adding nuclear power stations.

So, stop whingeing UK anaerobic digestion project promoters! Get on with taking the next leap into CNG / biomethane production now!

Anaerobic-Digestion.com

Round Up of Biomethane Projects in North America

The number North American biomethane projects in 2016, is growing! In this posting we take look at the development of biomethane upgrading plants which purify the methane output from anaerobic digestion plants, making it a high value, quality controlled, fuel, potential to provide an enormous greenhouse gas emissions reduction. 

A "plain vanilla flavor" biogas plant, becomes a "biomethane" plant as soon as the upgrading equipment is commissioned.

Europe has been upgrading biogas plants and building new ones, which will "upgrade" their biogas from the start, quite rapidly. In fact, a transition is beginning to take place from the on-site use of biogas energy in gas-engines for supply electricity into the local grid, to the upgrading of biogas for off-site uses, including as a transport fuel for the road haulage industry and also for general gas grid supply.

One reason for that is the reduction in favorable Feed-in-Tariffs, which have offered government subsidies in some nations, but it also raises the efficiency of the use of the methane gas energy, and in turn therefore also raises the sustainability of anaerobic digestion energy (biogas) systems.

Until recently there was less interest in this technology, in the US and Canada than in Europe. However, since the start of this year (2016), the outlook (as highlighted in the following articles). looks more promising.

Our first article below is about developments in the biomethane produced by Clean Energy Fuels Corp., which by their estimation could yield a whopping 90% reduction in carbon emissions when displacing diesel or gasoline.

Our second article is about the fact that construction has begun on a Canadian (British Columbia) biomethane project which will provide renewable natural gas to fuel the city’s waste-collection trucks. An added benefit here will be that the emissions from natural gas fueled refuse collection vehicles is much lower than that of diesel fueled vehicles. These trucks that spend all their working lives in congested streets and urban highways will now make the air healthier for residents as well.

Our third article and final article below is included to show that the market is ready to buy the low carbon emission fuel from biomethane plants, in Canada. In fact, there is strong pressure from energy utility companies to offer sustainable green energy to their customers.

That means that investors who are thinking of dipping their toes into a new "green energy market" could do well to look at biogas plant and especially biomethane upgrade investments.

Clean Energy to be First Commercial Distributor of Biomethane Fuel in California

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced it will be the first company to commercially distribute its signature biomethane fuel “Redeem” across 35 stations in California.

“It’s a landmark day for Clean Energy as the first company to make this revolutionary and renewable transportation fuel made from waste available to our customers,” 

said Andrew Littlefair, president and CEO of Clean Energy. He added the company’s goal is to produce and distribute 15 million gallons of its Redeem fuel in its first year, assist California meet its climate change goals and prove the fuel is a viable alternative fuel source.

Clean Energy hopes to keep its California retail infrastructure flowing with Redeem as the state’s fuel infrastructure grows, said Harrison Clay, president of Clean Energy’s renewable fuels division. He added Clean Energy will focus on California’s initial market, which is economically beneficial to the biofuel, before rolling out its signature biogas into other states.  

“I don’t know if we have a state that’s the next big target,” said Clay. “We’ll go where the demand for natural gas fuel is the highest. I know we opened our LNG truck stop stations in Texas, so that might be a good market for us.”

The biomethane is produced from extracting methane gas from Clean Energy’s landfills and other waste streams, cleaned and processed by a production facility and deposited into the interstate natural gas pipeline. It is available as compressed or liquefied natural gas forms.

California Air Resource Board estimated the biomethane could yield a 90 percent reduction in carbon emissions when displacing diesel or gasoline. “Clean Energy’s new Redeem product will help cut greenhouse gas emissions on our roads while providing customers a lower-priced fuel when compared to gasoline or diesel,” said Mary Nichols, board chairman of California Air Resource Board.

Clay said the future of biogas usage is very promising:

“We’re offering a one-of-a-kind, lowest cost and best breed of alternative fuel. We can offer fuel to our customers that can meet 100 percent of the fuel requirements of an 18-wheeler without a sacrifice in performance that can be offered and sold to them cheaper than petroleum fuel products,” 

he said.  via Clean Energy first commercial distributor of biomethane fuel

Construction Underway on British Columbia Biomethane Project

Earlier this year, Orgaworld Surrey Ltd. began construction on a biofuels processing facility to convert kitchen and yard waste from the city of Surrey, British Columbia, into renewable natural gas to fuel the city’s waste-collection trucks.

“They have done site preparation and they are now working on the foundations and will start pouring the floors of the facility,” said Paul Oostelbos, director of international business development.

The biofuel facility is being developed as a public-private partnership (P3). Orgaworld Canada Ltd., an organic waste processing business part of Shanks Group plc, contracted with the city of Surrey to develop the project. Now, its subsidiary Orgaworld Surrey Ltd. will head up the project, undertaking the design, build, finance, maintenance and operation of the facility. Multiple partners are involved with the development of the project including Stantec Architecture Ltd. to work on the design-build and services contract and the local construction company Smith Bros. & Wilson Ltd. to prepare the site, procure the equipment and materials, construct infrastructure and building components and install the equipment desired.

This project is considered one of P3 Canada’s flagship projects. The Canadian government approved Surrey’s application to the P3 Canada Fund, awarding the project a contribution up to 25 percent, or a maximum of $16.9 million, of the capital cost of the future biofuel facility. In total, the project is expected to cost 65 million in Canadian dollars ($45.9 million).

The facility is being constructed on city-owned property located in Port Kells adjacent to the Surrey transfer station in a grass building area about 14,323 square meters. The city collects waste from approximately 100,000 households, and based on recent studies, approximately 65 percent of its residential garbage is composed of organic waste that could be diverted to the Surrey biofuels processing facility. The facility will have the capacity of processing upward of 115,000 metric tons of organic waste per year. A majority of the feedstock—80,000 metric tons per year—will come from Surrey’s residential curbside collection program, and some commercial organic waste will also be processed, supporting the Metro Vancouver Food Scraps Recycling Program.

The plant is being implemented as the second phase of the Surrey’s Rethink Waste Program. “The city of Surrey wanted to close the loop,” Oostelbos said.

“They want to convert their source-separated organics into biogas that would be used to fuel their waste collection trucks and their city fleet.”

According to Oostelbos, the city has a local objective to divert more than 70 percent of waste from the landfill through alternative reuse, increased recycling and material recovery programs.

 “By closing the approach we will convert their source-separated organics—the kitchen waste, garden waste—into mainly two products,” 

Oostelbos said.

“One is the biogas, which will be upgraded into natural gas quality. The second product is compost, which can be used as an organic fertilizer for agricultural reasons and various applications within the city.”

More than 20 waste trucks will be fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) at peak site capacity. Upon arrival in the CNG-fueled trucks at the west entrance of the building, the waste is then stored, shredded, processed to produce gas, composted, screened and shipped out from the north exit. Shredding equipment will be located in the facility’s entry, with loaders transporting the waste within the facility, the storage bays, reactors, composting tunnels and the compost storage bays. Within the screening halls, equipment will sort the compost and move it via overhead conveyors into the composting storage areas. The facility will produce approximately 35,000 metric tons of compost per year.

The anaerobic digester (AD) technology being implemented is Orgaworld’s Biocel, dry AD equipment, already implemented by the company in the Netherlands. Oostelbos said the process requires very little pretreatment.

The gas-upgrading equipment provider for the project is still under negotiation.

“What we see in North America is that more and more cities are changing to CNG-fueled trucks, and that they also have to look at the amount of food and kitchen waste going to the landfill,” 

Oostelbos said.

“I think there is a great opportunity for these types of projects in North America.”

Besides the biofuel processing area, the facility will have an administrative area to provide visitor facilities for public education on biofuel production. The third level of the administrative area will include a conference room, visitor gallery and a roof garden for educational purposes.

The projects anticipated service commencement is in early 2017. “It’s the first and largest of its kind,” Oostelbos said.

“The combination of dry AD with composting allows us to produce quality products. We also have 2 or 3 percent of material like plastics that we will convert into alternative fuel for the local cement industry. We tried to avoid as much landfilling as possible.”

The project has also been nominated for a number of awards including the National Award for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnership in the category of project financing of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. It has also been shortlisted for the 2015 P3 Awards for the category Best Waste/Energy/Water Project, [for] which they will receive notification about Oct 8. via Construction underway on British Columbia biomethane project

British Columbia Utility Fortis Seeks Additional Biomethane for Energy

British Columbia utility FortisBC is seeking additional biomethane suppliers for its renewable natural gas program.

The subsidiary of St. John’s, Newfoundland-based Fortis Inc. said in a news release it is seeking an additional supply of up to one petajoule, or enough natural gas to provide heat and hot water for about 10,000 homes annually.

The company is seeking submissions from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, farms and agricultural businesses, and other biogas producers.

"Demand from our renewable natural gas customers has resulted in the need for further biogas supply in our system," 

said Doug Stout, vice president of energy solutions and external relations.

"Our focus is to help put waste to good use by working with suppliers to develop this energy source for our customers."

Two projects currently supply biomethane to FortisBC, with five others under development or construction. via British Columbia Utility Fortis Seeks Additional Biomethane for Energy

Quadruple Growth Predicted in Biomethane and BtG In the UK and Europewide

The idea that the number of biomethane plants could quadruple by 2021 sounds remarkably optimistic, but it is a figure supported by the top industry experts. 

It is a prediction which will be very welcome news for all those that have for so long worked in the industry and striven to convey to anyone who would listen, the many advantages of the anaerobic digestion process.

Biomethane is the term used for the raw (anaerobic digestion plant) biogas which is purified into "biomethane" before being sold, and the use of that "green gas" for injection into the gas supply grid is one of the very most efficient uses of that energy. 

Until recently, the most common use of biogas was to use it after only a minimum purification (to avoid corrosion of the generator equipment) to create electricity. However, producing electrical power invokes a large loss of that energy in the electrical distribution system, and a much higher loss than in the natural gas grid (although energy is of course expended in the purification (upgrading) process). 

It is also wonderful news for the environment, and will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions if this number of plants is built. Additionally, other biogas plants will continue to be built for electricity production, and will continue to expand the overall renewable energy output in electricity.

This is, not forgetting that, biomethane is also very useful as a transport vehicle fuel (Bio-CNG), as explained in our final article excerpt.

So, now! If you want to check the validity of what I am saying here, read on!

ADBA (UK) concludes that the number of biomethane plants could quadruple by 2021

Dec 16, 2015: According to the latest data, Europe counts with 17,240 biogas and 367 biomethane plants. For the past six months, the EBA team has joined efforts to compile its Biomethane and Biogas Report 2015, the annual statistical report on the European anaerobic digestion industry and markets. via european-biogas.eu

EBA Biogas Report will be shortly available!

According to the latest data, Europe counts with 17,240 biogas and 367 biomethane plants. For the past six months, the EBA team has joined efforts to compile its Biomethane and Biogas Report 2015, the annual statistical report on the European anaerobic digestion industry and markets.
via Green Gas Industry Could “Quadruple” With New RHI Budget

...The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) forecasts that the Chancellor George Osborne’s spending review could support the construction of an additional 140 biomethane plants. The announced £1.15 billion allocation for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) budget by 2021 could quadruple the number of UK biomethane plants. These plants represent a fourfold increase on current numbers […]

The post UK: ADBA concludes that the number of biomethane plants could quadruple by 2021 appeared first on European Biogas Association.

via UK: ADBA report concludes that the number of biomethane plants could quadruple by 2021

The UK has seen a further 23 biomethane to grid (“BtG”) connections in 2015. This makes a total of 50 BtG sites and means that, for the second year running, the UK has been the fastest growing biomethane market in the world.

Judging from the above, we do seem to have been correct when last year we reported in this blog How the Big Picture for Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Gets Yet Bigger!

UK sees highest level of Biomethane to Grid (BtG) growth in the world

BtG is the process whereby renewable gas is injected into the UK’s gas grid, giving the UK a highly flexible and efficient source of green, sustainable energy made from organic material include food waste.

John Baldwin, CNG Services founder and managing director said:

“The growth experienced in 2014 has continued with a total of 47 new projects in the last two years, the highest level of growth of any gas market in the world”

“Biomethane is a highly flexible renewable fuel as it utilises the extensive and valuable UK gas grid to provide energy both for gas central heating and also to fuel supermarket distribution trucks” ...

Baldwin continues:

“Growth of BtG has been spectacular. ... Growth accelerated markedly in 2014 with CNG Services connecting over 20 plants across the UK working with customers including Wyke Farms, Severn Trent, Wessex Water, Refood and Future Biogas.

Baldwin comments:

“When you look at how fast this industry sector is developing, it’s clear that BtG is going to be the biggest renewable heat technology in the UK. I’m proud of the part we’ve had to play in this success story”.

Biomethane has had the support of the [UK government subsidy known as the] Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) worth £860 million. ...

Biomethane is also increasingly being used as a fuel for transport, known as Bio-CNG, where is offers big environmental benefits.

For the full article, visit : http://www.cngservices.co.uk

We would be delighted to see your comments below. Do you agree that this predicted rate of growth in AD plants for biomethane production is realistic, for example? Are you worried that energy crops will raise the cost of food, by doing this? Is this the right way forward for renewable energy production, or are there better ways of using organic waste materials? Please give us your opinions here.