Proof That Biomethane Is Cleaning-Up On The Biogas Market

Biomethane is cleaning-up on the Biogas Market. The business sector is growing rapidly with support and both political and monetary investment going forward in many countries.

This is demonstrating that building AD plants with additional equipment to produce biomethane, which is nothing more than thoroughly cleaned-up biogas, is thought to be worth the additional investment by many people.

Biomethane Advances in popularity over raw biogas

Biogas has many uses, but the demand for biomethane which is a fuel equivalent to Natural Gas is simply insatiable!

Just consider the unimaginable amount of energy needed to run transport vehicles and the hype which is peddled daily by governments, to pollution hit city dwellers to convince us all that electric cars are the cure and are coming in just a year or two. Who truly believes that any more?

Now let's give you the PROOF that all manner of people, politicians and investors are now promoting biomethane and biogas plant projects which will produce biogas which will be upgraded to biomethane.

California Legislature Green-Lights Pair of RNG Bills

On the final day of California’s 2018 legislative session, a bill sponsored by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) that would pave the way for a state renewable natural gas (RNG) procurement program was approved, passing 29-10 in its reconciliation in the Senate.

As approved, S.B.1440 authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in consultation with the California Air Resources Board, to adopt a biomethane (RNG) procurement program that would benefit ratepayers, proves to be cost-effective, and advances the state’s environmental and energy policies, the coalition explains. The legislation was introduced this year by State Sen. Ben Hueso.

“A renewable natural gas procurement program would create market certainty that industry developers need to access investment capital and build new projects in California,” says Johannes Escudero, CEO of the RNG Coalition. “Nearly 30 states have [renewable portfolio standard] programs in place, requiring electric utilities to procure and use increasing proportions of renewable energy. States should set similar renewable natural gas targets for gas utilities to create new in-state jobs, decarbonize our pipeline systems, reduce emissions and improve air quality.”

The RNG Coalition’s other sponsored bill this year, A.B.3187, passed the legislature by comfortable margins, the group notes. The bill requires the CPUC to open a proceeding to consider options to promote the in-state production and distribution of biomethane, including recovery in rates of the costs of interconnection infrastructure investments, by no later than July 1, 2019. It was unanimously approved (38-0) by the Senate on Aug. 27 after having passed the Assembly earlier this year. via CaliforniaRNG

New Technologies in the Works for Onboard CNG Storage

More refuse companies are investing in compressed natural gas (CNG) sourced from cleaned biomethane (renewable natural gas), storing it on board in cylinders. For some time, storing this high-pressure fuel on trucks came with challenges for fleets, and though the industry has since taken down significant hurdles, there are new innovations in the pipeline for greater efficiency.

“Fuel storage on board gas vehicles is well proven and established. But with all industries and technologies, there is continuous improvement going on. And in coming years, there will be changes and improvements to natural gas fuel and dispensing systems,” projects Barnes. via OnboardCNGStorage

Renewable natural gas program for Minnesota customers

Centerpoint Energy filed a five-year pilot program proposal with Minnesota`s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Thursday, which will give customers the option to purchase renewable natural gas, or biomethane, as an alternative to traditional gas.

The pilot would be the first of its kind to offer distribution of renewable gas directly to customers, although other utilities use it in a more "decentralized sense," Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, senior policy associate at Fresh Energy said in an interview with Utility Dive.

If approved, customers will be able to choose renewable gas for approximately $4 more per therm, although the price won`t be set until after the PUC approves the pilot, according to Centerpoint`s website. The state`s PUC is expected to make a final decision on the program in January of 2019.

Many in the industry will likely favor biomethane because the infrastructural transition is easier and cheaper for utilities she says. However, customers should be aware of what they`re paying for.

In a survey conducted by CenterPoint, the utility found half the approximately 1,550 customers surveyed were willing to pay $5 and $25 more per month for renewable gas, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and the utility is operating under the assumption that 1% of its 800,000 customers would be willing to participate. via CenterPoint Energy

UK John Lewis cuts CO2 fumes by over 80 percent in LARGEST ever green trial

JOHN LEWIS has teamed up with green gas supplier CNG Fuels to launch the UK’s largest-ever trial aimed at showing how biomethane, a low carbon alternative to diesel, can slash HGV emissions and costs, writes Maisha Frost. via John Lewis cuts CO2 fumes

Biogas Market Size, Share - Industry Share Report 2024

Global biogas market size is anticipated to witness substantial growth owing to government led stringent regulations pivoted towards greenhouse emissions. In 2016, Singapore government had led directive pertaining to carbon emission reduction by 36% by 2030 below 2005 levels.


Rising energy security concern due to depleting conventional resources will positively steer the global biogas market. In 2017, The Asian Development Bank has funded waste to energy (WTE) projects in agreement with Dynagreen environmental protection group across China.


Renewable resource integration with demand for cost effective clean source of energy will positively drive the global biogas market share by 2024. Government initiatives pertaining to waste management will propel the global industry. In 2017, Australian government in support to waste to energy technologies have launched a USD 2 million program in Victoria.


Inconsistency of waste composition and complex facility designs will hamper global biogas market. Urbanization and economic growth are diversifying the technology pertaining to lower generation rates, improved treatment technology and waste composition techniques. via Biogas Market 2024

Biomethane on the National Gas Grid – A First for Ireland’s Bio-Economy

In 2018, Gas Networks Ireland will introduce renewable gas onto the Irish gas network for the first time writes Pádraic Ó hUiginn. Renewable gas, also known as biogas or greengas, will be introduced into the Irish market as a means of further reducing emissions. As natural gas and biomethane are interchangeable, renewable gas can be used in the same way and in the same appliances as natural gas. Customers, business and domestic, would never be aware that the gas they are using is a renewable alternative. via A First for Ireland

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IADAB News - Edition 17 - Biomethane Italy's €4.7bn for Biofuels - New Map - CNG Shuttle Buses

Date: 4 March 2018: This is Issue 17 of the IADAB News Weekly, where we summarise the news of the week in the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry.

It's been a few weeks since we looked at developments in biomethane projects. These are anaerobic digestion and biogas plant projects where the raw biogas will be further treated to clean it to the same standard as natural gas. This means that the Anaerobic Digestion Facility operator will be able to sell the "biomethane" energy into the natural gas distribution system, or for other uses such as to replace CNG as a renewable fuel for vehicles.

First we have the welcome news that the European Commission cleared a 4.7 billion Euros ($5.73 billion) support scheme in Italy for advanced biomethane and biofuels, 

We wanted to know more about this and found out that the scheme, which will run until 2022, supports the production and distribution of second and third-generation biofuels for use in transport vehicles. 

Third this week, is that the European Biogas Association and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) have collaborated on a comprehensive map of all known biomethane installations currently running in Europe. The‘European Biomethane Map 2018’ lists over 500 units on the continent, and we welcome this because the AD industry really needs to publicise their success and listing each biomethane plant is an essential first step to keeping the public informed.

Fourth, and finally, we have the news that, as part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is launching of a fleet of biogas-powered shuttle vehicles. There will be 7 buses equipped to use this renewable biofuel to start with.

Alright, let’s get started with the detailed articles… (Scroll down for each extract and use the links to the full articles on each of the individual websites.)

1 - EU Clears Italian Support Scheme For Advanced Biomethane And Biofuels

BRUSSELS, March 1 (Reuters)
The European Commission on Thursday cleared a 4.7 billion euros ($5.73 billion) support scheme in Italy for advanced biomethane and biofuels, saying it was in line with state-aid rules. "The scheme will encourage the production and consumption of advanced biofuels ... via Reuters

2 - EU approves Italy's €4.7bn public support for biofuels

Energy Live News - Energy Made Easy
Italy's plans to provide €4.7 billion (£4.2bn) of public support for advanced biomethane and biofuels have been approved by the European Commission. The scheme, which will run until 2022, supports the production and distribution of second and third-generation biofuels for use in transport. via European Commission

3 - Map of over 500 European biomethane facilities released

The European Biogas Association and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) have collaborated on a comprehensive map of all known biomethane installations currently running in Europe.

‘European Biomethane Map 2018’ lists over 500 units on the continent, and according to its creators is the first of its kind. It’s been produced with information taken from biogas associations, energy agencies and companies.

Map of Biomethane Plants in Europe

“The number of biomethane plants in Europe has been considerably increasing in recent years, reaching over 500 units today,” said Jan Stambasky, president of the European Biogas Association (EBA).

“EBA and GIE have decided to illustrate this positive trend with this map, which provides a high-quality overview of the main technical features, current status and location of existing installations. With the huge development of the biomethane sector expected in the coming years, this pioneering map might be the first in a long series.”

According to an EBA statement, the map provides specific details about each biomethane plant, including connections to the gas grid, feed-in capacity, main substrate used, upgrading process and date of start of operation. Cross-border interconnection points and pipelines are also indicated.
via Map 500 European biomethane facilities

4 - Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport Rolls Out Biomethane Fuelled Shuttle Buses

As part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is launching of a fleet of biogas-powered shuttle vehicles and creating an agricultural club.

A fleet of seven shuttles, running exclusively on renewable natural gas were recently brought into service at this airport. The customised shuttles have been designed and fitted out to convey passengers between the car parks and the terminals.

(c) Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport

This initiative is part of the ACA 3+ accreditation obtained in May 2017 by Aéroports de Lyon, supported by AirPact, the global environmental policy of VINCI Airports.

Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport further confirms its commitment to environmental responsibility with another initiative – creation of an agricultural club, a unique space for dialogue enabling the airport and the farmers managing the site’s land reserves to work together to develop sustainable and innovative agriculture. via Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport

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NAO Renewable Heat Report - Green Gas Industry Reaction

Green gas industry responds to the UK's national Audit Office (NAO) Renewable Heat Report

This article is a little way off from our usual subject matter, so let us just say that by "Green Gas" we are referring to is simply renewable gas such as biogas, and its product after upgrading to raise its purity "biomethane". So, the green gas industry referred to is partly the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry. It also includes renewable methane from other processes.

One big benefit from green gas is that it is home-grown and reduces need for expensive natural-gas imports.

Before you start reading the Press Release below, we can tell you that green gas production has NAO support. It's not surprising that the anaerobic digestion, and bioresources industry is keen to publicise the NAO's advice.

The ADBA Press Release follows:

Industry echoes NAO call for govt. to address policy gap by providing long-term support for renewable heat and introducing effective carbon price

Report says successor policy to RHI will be announced this year.

Responding to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) on the cost-effectiveness of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association, said:

“As one of the technologies supported by the RHI, biomethane (or green gas) is currently heating over 300,000 homes and displacing almost 800,000 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent to taking almost a million cars off our roads."

"As a home-grown, renewable source of heat, it is helping to decarbonise the UK’s gas grid and improving energy security through reducing the need for expensive natural-gas imports from unstable parts of the world."

"With support for the RHI due to end in 2021, we’re calling on the government to put in place long-term support for renewable heat to help give certainty to the green gas industry. The government should also set an effective carbon price that would better demonstrate green gas’s excellent value for money in reducing emissions and producing home-grown renewable heat.”

Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, said on the publication of the NAO’s RHI report:

“The government faces a huge challenge in cutting harmful carbon emissions. The NAO report shows how the government has massively cut back its ambitions for this scheme, and that as a result it will have to work even harder elsewhere.”

"But right now the government doesn’t know how it is going to cut carbon from heating systems in millions of homes and businesses around the country. There is a limited amount of time to work with, so it needs to start making real progress now.”

ADBA understands that some of the recommendations made in the report have already been incorporated into the RHI reforms that are currently going through Parliament, which, if passed, will give a vital boost to green gas production in the UK.

The report states that a decision on the successor policy to the RHI is due to be announced this year.


Sources: National Audit Office: https://www.nao.org.uk/

Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) website: www.adbioresources.org

PRESS RELEASE: Anaerobic digestion industry welcomes laying of RHI legislation: http://adbioresources.org/news/press-release-anaerobic-digestion-industry-welcomes-laying-of-rhi-legislati

IADAB News - Edition 15 - UK Food Waste Company Take-over Irish WWTW AD Plans and Biogas Buses

Date: 11 February 2018: This is Issue 15 of the IADAB News Weekly, where we summarise the news of the week in the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO!

This week we are featuring 4 UK events in the AD scene in the UK, and one in the US. These are chosen as being the items which have scored most highly based upon the last seven days of social network interaction across Twitter, Facebook, and Linked-In (provided by Kudani).

The first item is the surprise acquisition of Tamar Energy by Biogen, which amounts to a substantial re-alignment of food waste AD capacity in the South of England. It may help reduce the downward trend in gate-fees for Food Waste disposal in the south of the UK, but that will remain to be seen.

Next, in Ireland there is good news for growth in AD, during Irish Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrades. When these are completed, it is proposed that the number of sites with anaerobic digestion will increased by 5.

Next, we have a new US item. the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a request for proposals to procure up to 899,250 MWh/year of renewable energy, and our reading of the request is that AD bids could make up the lion share, if companies put AD plant options in their proposals. There is not much time though with a short deadline for bidders to make their submissions.

Finally, we have two UK items. The first is an ADBA post in which it joins an industry-wide call for the government to issue a long-awaited FIT consultation, so that much needed confidence in continuity of the subsidy scheme can return and allow investment to flow into new projects.

Our fifth and last item is welcome. £40 million will awarded to Councils for low emission buses. Using the money councils will be able to retrofit vehicles with technology to reduce tailpipe emissions of nitrogen dioxide. Retrofitting buses to use biomethane as a vehicle fuel offers a carbon reduction and can help reduce air pollution.

Alright, let’s get started… (Scroll down for each extract and use the links to the full articles on each of the individual websites.)

The following is our intro video. Watch the intro video below, for a taster of what you will read if you scroll down below the video:

1. Biogen Acquires Tamar Energy

Biogen has expanded its food waste recycling network through the acquisition of Tamar Energy, one of the largest anaerobic digestion (AD) owners and operators in the UK. The acquisition was completed by Ancala Partners LLP, the independent mid-market infrastructure investment manager for an undisclosed sum. 

A number of Tamar Energy's existing shareholders have rolled-over their investment into the combined group. The acquisition creates one of the largest independent AD operators in the UK. via anaerobic digestion food waste industry food waste management renewable energy

2. Ambitious Plans for More Wastewater Anaerobic Digestion Plants in Ireland

Maximising energy recovery from sludges through anaerobic digestion is at the heart of Irish Water’s National Wastewater Sludge Management Plan:

“There are 14 wastewater treatment plants in Ireland with anaerobic digestion currently in operation. More than 50 per cent of all wastewater sludge was anaerobically digested in 2014. This is expected to increase to approximately 65 per cent when WWTP upgrades, currently under way, are completed. It is proposed that the number of sites with anaerobic digestion is increased to 19, as the optimum strategy for treatment, with the biogas produced used for energy recovery in all cases.
Advanced anaerobic digestion followed by reuse of the residual bio-solids on land has been evaluated to be the most sustainable solution for wastewater sludge treatment and disposal.” via bridging skills gap

3. Connecticut Issues New RFP For Offshore Wind, Fuel Cell, And Anaerobic Digestion Projects

Last week, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a request for proposals to procure up to 899,250 MWh/year of renewable energy and associated Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from offshore wind, fuel cell, and anaerobic digestion renewable energy resources, pursuant to long-term contracts of up to 20 years. Bidders must submit completed proposals to DEEP by April 2, 2018. Connecticut will announce winning bids in June 2018. via Connecticut Issues New RFP

4. ADBA joins industry-wide call for long-awaited FIT consultation

ADBA has today joined a number of trade associations to write to Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, regarding the long-awaited Feed-in Tariff consultation.

The letter highlights the contribution renewables technologies supported under the FIT make to UK energy and carbon targets. With the FIT scheduled to close to new applicants in March 2019, the letter calls on BEIS to address the uncertainty this cliff-edge end date poses, by working with industry to deliver alternative routes to market.

In support of the letter Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA, said:

The UK’s anaerobic digestion (AD) industry has already delivered so much, powering over a million homes and reducing the UK’s greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions by 1%, particularly in challenging areas such as agriculture. With the right support, however, it could meet 30% of current household electricity demand, quadruple its contribution to reducing UK GHG emissions, and provide 30,000 rural jobs. While AD is an established technology, the absence of a FIT post March 2019 is a serious threat to the viability of the UK AD industry and its ability to contribute to meeting a wide range of policy goals. We urge BEIS to set out a sustainable future for small-scale, low-carbon energy projects such as AD beyond 2019 to give reassurance to what is such a crucial industry for meeting climate goals in the UK. via ADBA

5. £40 million awarded to Councils for low emission buses

As part of the Clean Bus Technology Fund, which was launched in 2017, the Joint Air Quality Unit has today announced awards totalling £40 million to local authorities across the UK to support efforts to improve air quality in UK towns and cities. Using the money councils will be able to retrofit vehicles with technology to reduce tailpipe emissions of nitrogen dioxide. Although much of the recent in the vehicle sector has come on the OEM side, retrofitting buses to use biomethane as a vehicle fuel offers a carbon reduction and can help reduce air pollution.

Road transport is going to change dramatically over the next couple of decades – and we have to make sure that the bus industry is ready to benefit from those changes.

Above, you can see Nusrat Ghani MP beside one of Nottingham City Transport's biomethane buses.
via £40 million award for buses

We hope you found this week's anaerobic digestion news informative. Watch out for next week's news!

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IADAB News - Edition 14 - Biomethane Developments + New UK RHI Scheme Update

Date: 4 February 2018: This is Issue 14 of the IADAB News Weekly, where we summarise the news of the week in the fast developing Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO!

This week we are focusing on events in the biogas plants which upgrade their raw biogas and sell it as biomethane.

First we include news from the Dutch that the first biomethane has been injected into the gas grid at the Microferm project in Deurningen (NL).

Second, California is moving toward adopting the European Model of biomethane production and gas grid injection of the output with the news that 5 pilot projects will go ahead to identify a largely untapped energy resource, and put organic waste to work for California. This is an exciting first step to building the market for renewable natural gas in the US state.

Third, and the most exciting, given the prospect that another huge biogas feedstock source "straw" is now looking possible to add to the rising number of waste biomass sources which can be disposed of, while also producing renewable energy. 

Yes! Biomethane from only straw! 

The new VERBIO technology makes it possible to leverage a massive potential raw material source which has been unused to date.

Next, we feature our video on the AnaerobicDigestion YuTube Channel where we explain "What is a Biogas Upgrade? and purification of biogas to biomethane.

Followed by a reminder that RTFC Price Information within the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry is now available from markets expert Energy Census [RE]fuel (currently at no charge).

UK Biomethane and the Long Awaited New RHI Scheme

UK biomethane progress has been almost halted throughout 2017, with only 2 new projects started. The reason is the delay in issuing the new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) rules, with the promised improved incentive rates for biogas plants making biomethane.

The New RHI was expected in March 2017, but it was delayed due to a drafting error and then due to the snap UK government General Election in June.

The new RHI is now expected to be announced during the current quarter. Expert John Baldwin predicts 30 to 40 UK biomethane projects in the next 2 to 3 years, subject to the life of the RHI when the announcement is made.

Alright, let’s get started… (Scroll down for each extract and use the links to the full articles on each of the individual websites.)

The following is our intro video. Watch the intro video below, for a taster of what you will read if you scroll down below the video:

1 - First biomethane injected into gas grid at Microferm project in Deurningen (NL)

The first biomethane was injected into the Dutch national gas grid on Friday December 22 at the Microferm project ‘Broekhuis Koegas’ in Deurningen in the Netherlands. The installation produces 40 Nm³ biomethane per hour. HoSt is turn-key supplier of the installation.
via First biomethane injected into gas grid at Microferm project in Deurningen (NL)

California Utilities Issue Draft Solicitation for Dairy Biomethane Pilot Projects

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Southwest Gas jointly issued a draft solicitation yesterday for dairy biomethane pilot projects under California Senate Bill (SB) 1383. Proposed projects must demonstrate an ability to capture and process biogas from dairy cows to produce renewable natural gas, which can replace traditionally sourced natural gas for generating electricity, heating homes and fueling vehicles. At least five projects will be selected.
The draft solicitation is the first step in a new program created under SB 1383 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which has been directed to reduce methane emissions from agriculture in the state by 2030.
"This is an exciting first step to building the market for renewable natural gas," said Lisa Alexander, vice president of customer solutions and communications for SoCalGas. "Renewable natural gas, with its ability to turn methane emissions into a source of energy, is a critical element of a comprehensive approach to climate change, and we look forward to supporting these efforts."
"The capture of biogas from agriculture is an innovative way to produce renewable natural gas to fuel our homes and businesses while helping achieve the state's climate goals," said Michael Schneider, chief environmental officer and vice president of operations support and sustainability for SDG&E. "These pilot projects will help us identify a largely untapped energy resource and put organic waste to work for California."
via California Utilities Issue Draft Solicitation for Dairy Biomethane Pilot Projects

Biomethane from only straw? | European Bioenergy Day

Through the support of the European Union, VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG has developed an innovative production plant for biomethane that is manufactured from 100% straw. VERBIO  has reached the first project milestone on schedule, feeding the first gigawatt hours of biomethane generated from 100% straw since October 2014 into the local natural gas network operated by Stadtwerke Schwedt. “Straw bio-methane technology is a clear demonstration that second generation biofuels using local supply chains are no longer a thing of the future, but are today’s reality,” commented Dr. Lüdtke, Chairman of the Management Board of VERBIO AG.

VERBIO AG has been the operator of two large biomethane plants since 2011, each with a capacity of 30 MW. These plants produce approximately 480 GWh of biomethane from distillation slop, a waste raw material by-product generated from bioethanol production, with the resulting biomethane used as biofuel for vehicles powered by natural gas. With the volume produced VERBIO supplies more than 100 of the 900 natural gas fuel stations in Germany, making it the unchallenged market leader in this segment.
The new plant, also developed internally, is based on mono straw fermentation technology. The plant will be extended to reach 16,5 MW capacity by the year 2019, generating 140 gigawatt hours of biomethane annually for sale as biofuel from approximately 40.000 tons of straw. To date, EUR 25 million has already been invested in the construction of the plant. Further amounts will be invested in the coming years to optimise the plant. The straw used to fuel the plant is gathered within a radius of 80km of the plant to ensure maximum economic and ecological efficiency. In exchange, the fermentation waste is provided to farmers as organic fertiliser. This local production chain creates employment in the region’s agricultural sector and ensures maximum CO₂ efficiency.
The new VERBIO technology makes it possible to leverage a massive potential raw material source which has been unused to date. In Germany alone, an annual quantity of between 8 and 13 million tons of straw that could be used to manufacture bioenergy currently remain unused according to a study by the DBFZ (German biomass research center). This energy quantity represents the fuel required annually by more than 5 million motor cars. via Biomethane from only straw?

Spanish company unveils innovative project to produce biomethane

Valoriza Agua is executing the Smart • Met • Value research project to obtain a renewable and local biofuel through biogas production processes that take place in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).
The project, which is being carried out in the WWTP that Valoriza Agua manages in Guadalajara, consists of the design of a cleaning system for the biogas that is generated in the anaerobic digestion processes that take place in these facilities to obtain a biomethane with quality for its network injection and other uses such as transport. With HAM technology, the company already offers supply of this renewable fuel to vehicles.
The Smart • Met • Value includes four differentiated technological goals: development of a gas absorption model for biogas; development of a methane purification technology of high efficiency but with energy consumption significantly lower than currently used, obtaining a prototype for the mixing of gases, obtaining biomethane that complies with the current regulations (PD001).
via Spanish company unveils innovative project to produce biomethane

What is a Biogas Upgrade? Purification to Biomethane

The biomethane produced with biogas upgrading technology has the same specifications as natural gas, which makes it fully compatible to the existing natural gas infrastructure and applications. Optionally, the CO2 by-product can be recovered for use in a variety of applications.
via What is a Biogas Upgrade? Purification to Biomethane

Bio-fuel Market Prices - 3 Reasons UK Biomethane Producers Watch Them

Like it or not, biogas and especially biomethane producers should start to take a keen interest in Bio-fuel Market Prices, and here is our list of 3 reasons why.
“UK Biomethane producers and potential “biogas-plant to biomethane upgraders”, should be watching bio-fuel market prices closely.”
That’s because many foresee big gains in the prices they will in future be likely to get for biomethane sold with an associated RTFC certificate into the road transport fuel market.
RTFC Price Information within the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry is now available from markets expert Energy Census [RE]fuel (currently at no charge), which already indicates that for much of 2017, producers could obtain something of the order of magnitude of double the payment per kg which is commonly obtained from selling it now into the heat market.
via Bio-fuel Market Prices 3 Reasons UK Biomethane Producers Watch Them

We hope you found this week's anaerobic digestion news informative.

We will now be publishing on a weekly basis again. Watch out for next week's news!

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What is the Difference Between Biogas and Biomethane?

Biogas is the name given to the gas produced by a process called anaerobic digestion, where microorganisms convert biomass, plant, and animal material, to biogas in the absence of oxygen.

The biogas when it emerges from a digester is roughly 60% methane and 29% carbon dioxide, with trace elements of hydrogen sulphide. It is not high quality enough to be used as fuel gas for anything other than simply gas stoves, and specially corrosion protected machinery. The corrosive nature of hydrogen sulphide alone is enough to destroy the internals of all normal gas-burning equipment.

The biogas produced by landfills has usually been used to fuel reciprocating gas engines and generate electricity, but even when specially designed gas engines are used the impurities in raw biogas tend to result in high maintenance costs.

The solution is the use of biogas "upgrading", which is another word for using purification processes which produce very nearly pure methane, which is clean enough to inject into national natural gas grids, or use as a substitute for compressed natural gas as a "clean" transport fuel.

Biomethane is simply biogas which has been cleaned up, or "upgraded".

During upgrading the contaminants in the raw biogas stream are absorbed or scrubbed, leaving substantially more methane per unit volume of gas.

Traditionally there were four main methods of upgrading: water washing, pressure swing adsorption, selexol adsorbtion, and amine gas treating. Nowadays, there is an increasing use of gas separation membrane technology to perform this function.

There is a little more to it than that, but in a nutshell that is the difference between biogas and biomethane.

Before gas grid injection, or transport vehicle fuel use can occur the biomethane must be compressed. In addition the nature of the biomethane may need to be further adapted to the corresponding qualities of natural gas.

Biogas is considered to be a renewable resource because its production-and-use cycle is continuous, and in theory, it generates no net carbon dioxide.

In reality, inefficiencies of the biogas process and energy expended during upgrading means that some carbon net emissions do occur.

Nevertheless, its use produces far lower carbon emissions than almost any other process and biomethane is a renewable fuel with more uses than we could possibly list here, and an inexhaustible market.

Unlike solar, wind, and wave energy biomethane provides 24/7 energy availability.

Biomethane can even be used as a raw material to produce all the plastics which are currently manufactured from petroleum products.

We hope we answered your question about the difference between biogas and biomethane.

Much more about this subject can be found on our website Anaerobic-Digestion.com.

Fascinating Biomethane Facts from Around the Web:

Biomethane is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the so-called anaerobic digestion of organic matter such as dead animal and plant material, manure, sewage, organic waste, etc. Chemically, it is identical to natural gas which is stored deep in the ground and is also produced from dead animal and plant material. However, there are several important differences between biomethane and fossil fuel derived methane despite the fact that both are produced from organic matter.

Natural gas is classified as fossil fuel, whereas biomethane is defined as a green source of energy. Like its name suggests, fossil fuel derived methane is produced from thousands or millions of years old fossil remains of organic matter that lies buried deep in the ground. Production of fossil-fuel derived methane, however, depends exclusively on its natural reserves which vary greatly from one country to another and are not available in limitless amounts. Biomethane, on the other hand, is produced from “fresh” organic matter which makes it a renewable source of energy that can be produced worldwide. via biomethane.org.uk

Heavy-duty Sanitation Truck Runs on Biomethane

This heavy-duty sanitation truck runs on renewable natural gas made from converted landfill gas. Renewable natural gas (RNG), or biomethane, is a pipeline-quality gas that is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and thus can be used in natural gas vehicles. RNG is essentially biogas (the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic matter) that has been processed to purity standards. Like conventional natural gas, RNG can be used as a transportation fuel in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). RNG qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Biogas is produced from various biomass sources through a biochemical process, such as anaerobic digestion, or through thermochemical means, such as gasification. With minor cleanup, biogas can be used to generate electricity and heat. To fuel vehicles, biogas must be processed to a higher purity standard. This process is called conditioning or upgrading and involves the removal of water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other trace elements. The resulting RNG, or biomethane, has a higher content of methane than raw biogas, which makes it comparable to conventional natural gas and thus a suitable energy source in applications that require pipeline-quality gas. via westport.com

Biogas can be Compressed, as can Natural gas be Compressed to CNG

Biogas typically refers to a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste. Biogas is a renewable energy source and in many cases exerts a very small carbon footprint.

Biogas can be compressed, the same way natural gas is compressed to CNG, and used to power motor vehicles. In the UK, for example, biogas is estimated to have the potential to replace around 17% of vehicle fuel.[3] It qualifies for renewable energy subsidies in some parts of the world. Biogas can be cleaned and upgraded to natural gas standards when it becomes bio-methane. Biogas is considered to be a renewable resource because its production-and-use cycle is continuous, and it generates no net carbon dioxide. Organic material grows, is converted and used and then regrows in a continually repeating cycle. From a carbon perspective, as much carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere in the growth of the primary bio-resource as is released when the material is ultimately converted to energy. via engie.com

Biomethane Can be Made from a Pile of Garbage

Amazingly, natural gas can be produced from a variety of sources, including a pile of garbage. The process from trash to gas makes natural gas a renewable fuel. Biogas is the term used for the methane that is developed from the breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen from sources such as sewage, municipal solid waste, and farm waste. Biomethane is the fuel that is produced by refining and removing any impurities from the biogas. And unlike fossil fuels, which are considered a finite resource, the natural gas produced from these sources is a renewable resource.

Compressed biogas (CBG) and CNG can be used interchangeably as a fuel in CNG vehicles. While pipeline gas is CNG-ready, biogas requires conditioning (cleaning) before compression. The conditioning process removes moisture (H2O), increases methane (CH4) content by removing carbon dioxide (CO2), and cleans the gas by removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S), siloxanes, and other trace elements. Although CBG is currently cheaper to produce than CNG—because the methane source is free—higher capital costs associated with CBG—due to conditioning—have the potential to offset this difference. One potential advantage of direct use of biomethane as opposed to those who inject gas back into the pipeline is that natural gas vehicles can tolerate somewhat higher levels of CO2, which can have a significant impact on gas cleanup costs. For injection into the pipeline, the biogas must be purified to about 98 to 99 percent methane. For direct use as a vehicle fuel, biogas may be cleaned to around 90 percent methane. via r-e-a.ne

In 2012 the UK had not Completed any Biomethane Projects But Now There are 100+

At the time of the first REA UK Biomethane Day in 2012 the UK had not completed any Biomethane projects. In 2013 there was one, Rainbarrow Farm, joined by two more in 2014. By the end of 2015 there will be fifty-one completed Biomethane projects and by 1st April 2016 there will be sixty-one operational Biomethane to Grid projects, with the UK having the fastest-growing, most innovative and diverse Biomethane market in Europe.

We are expecting over 300 delegates, with exhibition stands from all of the major suppliers of Biomethane related plants. If you are considering Biomethane to Grid this is the one industry event you cannot afford to miss. via catalystforum.org.uk

Making Biomethane Doesn’t Need the Sun to Shine or the Wind to Blow

Unlike other sources of renewable energy—such as solar and wind—biomethane doesn’t need the sun to shine or the wind to blow. Waste material can be converted into deliverable, renewable energy 24/7!

SoCalGas has compiled a list of suppliers that includes project developers, consultants, equipment manufacturers, installers, and others that may prove helpful to you in this process. Non-utility service providers may offer services that are the same or similar to the SoCalGas Biogas Conditioning/Upgrading Services Tariff and customers are encouraged to explore these service options. via cumminswestport.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

5 Undeniable Advantages of Anaerobic Digestion the Industry Has Failed to Publicize

The UK anaerobic digestion industry has done very well in recent years, with a huge growth in the number of AD Plants, but are new UK government policies are about to reverse all this against a background of media distaste for anything to do with anything mucky, and public apathy?

That there has been great progress is clear from the following quote taken from a recent article published in Resource by Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA), in which she explains that:

"The [UK] anaerobic digestion (AD) industry recently celebrated the passing of a huge industry milestone, with the announcement that over 400 biogas plants are now in operation as a result of over 600 per cent growth outside the water sector over the past five years.* In total, the AD industry now delivers a combined electrical equivalent capacity (electricity and biomethane) of over 514 megawatts - equivalent to the remaining capacity of one of the UK's nuclear power plants, Wylfa, which is being decommissioned this year.

With almost 100 plants expected to be commissioned by the end of this year, mirroring last year's growth surge in which AD's electrical capacity grew by 40 per cent, the industry's prospects should look encouraging for developers, operators and investors alike. Sadly, however, quite the opposite is true as the government's spending axe has fallen sharply on vital support for renewables."

Read the full article here.

Clearly, the UK government either does not understand the real benefits which AD offers, or is willfully pandering to the whims of the entirely discredited "climate change deniers" which remain within the Conservative party.

The leading trade association within the UK anaerobic digestion says that the industry is working to demonstrate the excellent return on investment, which anaerobic digestion (biogas) plants provides. This advantages are, is in our opinion, not only advantageous for its owners, but also for the government, and society as a whole.

That the message is failing to be made effectively is against common sense, is illogical, and will set back the UK, and the UK's previously benign influence on global decarbonisation by many years.
The media frequently talks constantly about wind, tide, and solar power, but almost never about anaerobic digestion. Within the BBC, the only programme which fairly regularly talks about AD is Countryfile. Elsewhere, heaven forbid that they mention anything as distasteful as waste food, or "sludge". Do they think that nice people would rather not be reminded of their wasteful habits?

And, yet the advantages of anaerobic digestion are real, and substantial, and here are some that seldom get aired, but everyone who knows about AD should be singing these 5 benefits from the rooftops:

1. AD is Cost Effective and Low Risk

The case for AD needs no help from any unfashionable "green" notions, although it has many advantages in this area. AD technology improvements mean that the energy it provides will be cheaper than nuclear by the time England's only new nuclear plant actively in development comes online.

AD provides localised generation without all the inherent risks of huge power station project developments which the government dictates must be implemented without direct government investment. Lack of government investment means lack of control over commercial nuclear plant programmes. The Hinkley Point C Nuclear Facility planned for Somerset, is already 6 years late before building even starts.

At the same time AD is reducing the UK's carbon emissions by four per cent, a huge number for a single technology. It also remains highly questionable how much nuclear saves on carbon emissions when decommissioning energy use and storage for thousands of years is truly factored-in.

2. Benefits to the Local Economy, Improved Agricultural Productivity and Improved UK Global Competitiveness

AD provides benefits to the local economy from employment which employs more people per megawatt than nuclear ever will. It is, according to ADBA already employing 4,500 people, and if the government does not crush the current upward trend, the industry will soon potentially employ over 30,000 more people. These jobs will be in construction, transport, waste collection, manufacturing and engineering.

Who could pretend this potential is not worth protecting? But also, on-site AD is a win-win for the way it boosts the economic and environmental sustainability of farming and enables food production with less imported fertilizer.

But it doesn't stop there. By developing a core of AD businesses with world-class expertise in biogas production and all its uses, the value of the very large export markets that is just starting create for the UK biogas market sector can help massively to re-balance the UK economy toward exports worth billions. The US alone is planning for over 10,000 AD plants within the next 5 years, and that's just one market.

3. Security of Gas Production and Provision of 24/7 Available Electricity

The government has to plan for providing the nation with secure energy sources, sources which can be relied upon in a world of increasing political turmoil. The pressing need for the availability of home-produced gas supplies, is partly why the current UK government is willing to weather the inevitable protests from its core voting supporters from pushing forward with the development of fracking. Why must we frack when we can make biogas?

There is an obvious economic benefit in balancing the intermittency of other renewable, because unless sufficient power is available at all times the nation will suffer hugely costly power cuts. The "baseload" electrical output that AD supplies is capable of doing this, and is much more valuable to the power industry than the unpredictable energy produced by wind and solar. That's proven by the way that the power industry is prepared to pay for it.

So, why build nuclear until all AD feed materials have been used up, when rather than the money being paid to overseas investors it goes back into the pockets of local people through a myriad of agricultural AD plants?

The UK AD industry according to ABDA, if fully developed, can deliver a massive 30% of the UK's domestic gas demand.

AD by generating power locally and reducing the need to ship massive amounts of energy around the country reduces the need to reinforce the national power grid, and ADBA estimates this to be worth about £30 per megawatt hour (MWh).

Don't forget either, that power generated and consumed locally does not end-up unavoidably heating up the wires it flows through. When most of the power comes from no more than a dozen or so regional power stations, as it does now, this energy never reaches the homes and factories it was destined for and is completely wasted. Distributed power of the sort AD provides could reduce these power losses by 30% according to some experts. That means that with AD the UK could scrap 3 power stations, and not replace them!

4.  EU Recycling Target Failure Without AD

AD is the best treatment option for food waste, by the UK government's own declaration. Without AD and large scale separate food waste collections, there is no way that the UK/ England can meet the government's own recycling targets. The public when asked, wants "zero waste" or 100% recycling, so any government which subjects the nation to a failure so undeniable that the nation has to pay EU fines, had better watch out for a major backlash from public opinion.

5. AD is Made for Decarbonising Transport and CHP Heat

Electric cars sound like a great idea, but achieve nothing more than reducing roadside emissions many of which are caused by earlier government policies which encouraged the adoption diesel fuelled cars, is futile if the electricity is made from fossil fuels.

AD plants are increasingly being upgraded to produce a very pure "natural gas" substitute known as biomethane, and new membrane technologies are helping to bring this to many more AD plants. Biomethane from the crude biogas made by AD provides renewable energy in the form of gas. This high energy gas can do much more to help with decarbonising (reducing the carbon emissions of) heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses and this gas also happens to be ideal for supplying CHP heat networks otherwise using fossil fuel derived natural gas.

Conclusion

This has been a long article, but the length is also a testimony to the amazing benefits of the AD process, and the skill in recent years of a young AD industry to innovate and develop the technology rapidly.

With all the benefits of AD it is hard to explain them quickly. Will all this be lost to apathy, and a press increasingly incapable of delivering more than a 30 second soundbite?

The message speaks for itself. Do more to spread the word!

We hope that those that have read this article to its fullest, will now be inspired to persuade others, at all potential opportunities of the folly of the present UK governments policies toward AD which, if continued, are most likely to throw another winning UK technology onto the scrapheap like so many other leading UK technologies throughout recent history.