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