AD & Bioresources News June 2015

AD&BIORESOURCES News

THE UK ANAEROBIC DIGESTION & BIORESOURCES TRADE ASSOCIATION’S BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE adbioresources.org

Issue 27 June 2015

Meet the farmers reaping the rewards of AD

UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2015 shortlist revealed

Spotlight on training

Election reaction who’s who guide to key cabinet ministers

Pre-treatment technology

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Foreword Inside this issue > Foreword:

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ADBA News:

4-6

Regions:

7

Feature – On-farm AD:

8-13

Advice Clinic: Training:

14

Members’ News and Views:

15-19

UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2015 Preview:

21

UK AD & Biogas 2015 Preview:

22-26

Technology Focus: Pre-treatment technology:

28-30

Policy:

32-33

Operator & Working Groups:

34

Government & Agency News:

35

R&D Update:

36

ADBA R&D Forum 2015 Review:

37

Upcoming Events:

39

Membership Matters:

40-42

Editorial:

Anaerobic digestion – a Tory-friendly renewable

By Chris Huhne, ADBA’s Strategic Advisor

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D has little to fear from a Conservative government, since it is arguably one of the most Conservative-friendly renewables. Despite pressure from the Conservative right wing, the party’s manifesto promised both to support the Climate Change Act (which sets out legally-binding carbon cuts) and to back cost-effective renewables. There will, however, be an added emphasis on cost-cutting, and a real challenge to the RHI since it is funded from taxes (unlike the FIT, which is funded from energy bills).

Although there is a small risk that a UK referendum on EU membership will vote to take Britain out – thereby jettisoning our legally-binding European Union renewables target of 15 per cent of our primary energy consumption by 2020 – both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor want renegotiation to succeed, and our EU membership to continue. In that context, anaerobic digestion is a cost-effective form of renewable energy and of cutting carbon emissions. ADBA will be making a powerful case to this effect in any post-election policy review of the Government’s renewable options.

DECC, though, must take due account of the fact that not all electricity supplies are equal. AD provides dispatchable power – it can either be baseload running all day long, or it can be used to meet peaking demand from consumers. AD is there when it is needed, not just when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. It therefore does not require a battery or other storage solution, which makes wind or solar more expensive than AD. Thanks to digestate, AD also saves carbon emissions from nitrogen fertiliser.

All in all, AD is a particularly cost-effective way of generating low-carbon power and cutting carbon emissions – and that’s before we add in the fact that AD is diversifying the rural economy, and providing jobs in hard-to-reach areas. Add in too that the Conservatives are ruling out on-shore wind because of its English unpopularity, and that AD plants generally create fewer ‘nimby’ protesters than other forms of energy, and we are onto a winner. Now we just have to make the case.

To be considered for inclusion in a future issue contact: Editor: Kate O’Reilly T +44 (0)7894 039609 E kate.oreilly@adbioresources.org

AD&Bioresources News FEATURES Features planned for Issue 28 (September) include: • Making the most of bioresources (including digestate) • UK AD & Biogas 2015 review • Technology focus: Enzymes, additives and process optimisation Copy deadline: 3 July

Features planned for Issue 29 (November) include: • Unlocking feedstock • Advice Clinic: On-farm AD • Technology focus: Biogas upgrading Copy deadline: 4 September

Sponsorship and advertising: Jamil Ahad T +44 (0)203 176 4414 E jamil.ahad@adbioresources.org Rachel Fenton T +44 (0)203 176 5418 E rachel.fenton@adbioresources.org

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ADBA News TIME TO STEP ON THE GAS

By Charlotte Morton, ADBA’s Chief Executive

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majority government has emerged from the mist of uncertainty surrounding the General Election, and the Conservative administration has signalled a positive stance towards the green industry by appointing carbon-conscious ministers to DECC. While acknowledging the role of renewables, the new government will be fixated on the cost-effectiveness of each policy and so we need to highlight the value of our industry, not the least the following:

AD CAN DELIVER 30% OF THE UK’S HOUSEHOLD GAS DEMAND

Energy benefits of AD

1. It generates storable and flexible home-grown green gas, producing electricity even when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining, reducing the cost of grid balancing, potentially providing around 30 per cent of our domestic gas demand; 2. It increases our energy security, reducing reliance on expensive natural gas from Russia and Qatar; 3. It has serious export and market potential, particularly with the UK positioned as one of Europe’s leaders on food waste technology.

However, if we are to really highlight the cost-effectiveness of AD, we will also need to emphasise its non-energy benefits, such as:

Non-energy benefits of AD

1. With the potential to reduce the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions by four per cent, AD offers one of the most cost-effective solutions for reducing methane emissions – especially in an agricultural setting – and contributes substantially to UK and EU carbon mitigation targets; 2. It’s helping to keep farmers farming and improving the UK’s food security – the number of on-farm AD plants has doubled to 139 in the last year alone, and the nutrient-rich digestate produced could be worth over £200m a year; 3. New high-value products created from the AD process could substantially contribute towards a £100bn bioeconomy; 4. As one of the few circular economy technologies already functioning, the Green Investment Bank has highlighted AD as one of the top ten technologies meeting the vital recycling and renewable energy needs for resource-efficient, smarter city designs; 5. Recycling all inedible food waste through AD could produce enough biomethane fuel for 60 per cent of the UK’s bus fleet, dramatically improving our air quality – particularly vital following Public Health England’s calculation that air pollution caused over 28,000 deaths in 2010.

AD is a constantly evolving, adaptable technology and our industry is driving hard to reduce costs, increase outputs, cut carbon footprints, and develop new, innovative high-value products. We have achieved a great deal over the past five years, growing by over 622 per cent, but now is the time to step on the gas.

We must scale up to reach our potential and deliver vital green gas, high value products, greenhouse gas reductions and nutrient rich digestate for the country now!

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Following the recent ADBA R&D Forum, we have doubled our estimation of the amount of methane AD could generate, from 40 TWh to 80 TWh. Speakers at the event, held in April, discussed some of the new feedstocks which may become suitable for AD with technological advances, including: • macroalgae (such as seaweed) grown or collected off the coast; • microalgae grown using digestate; • wetland biomass (reeds) and other high-lignin feedstocks; • hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of water using ‘waste’ electricity; and • organic co-products from advanced agriculture, such as aquaculture and the greenhouse sector.

In particular, advanced agriculture has the potential to make use of the waste carbon dioxide, water and heat from biogas combustion as well as the nutrients and water in digestate to support plant growth, thus increasing yields or reducing conventional input costs. On this basis, we have reviewed our existing assumptions about the amount of methane the industry could produce in a supportive environment, concluding that 80 TWh of green gas is achievable with the right support.

The use of hydrogen in AD has the potential to turn much of the carbon dioxide produced as part of the AD process into more methane. If adopted (the technology already exists), methane yields per tonne of feedstock could potentially increase from 60 per cent to 90 per cent, and produce about 27 TWh of extra gas. Of course, whether this is possible depends on a number of factors, including the scale at which this technology can be adopted and how the electricity market develops.

Another critical area is whether pre-treatment technologies such as steam explosion, thermal hydrolysis and dry AD can bring high-lignin feedstocks such as straw and garden waste into the market. If so, we have a lot more to offer than has previously been estimated.

See R&D Update, p36, for full details.

ADBA News Have your say on reducing costs for gas grid connections The Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents the Gas Distribution Networks, has released a consultation to gather views on reducing the requirements for CV measurement at biomethane sites. We have been closely involved in pushing for this consultation, as part of the biomethane campaign group that we set up with ENA to address technical and market issues for biomethane sites.

The proposed options set out in the consultation document are as follows: Option 1 – No change to current regime Option 2 – Modified Ofgem Letter of Direction Option 3 – Removal of the requirement for Ofgem to ‘direct’ low-flow biomethane sites To see the full document, go to: http://bit.ly/1HmDEv6

Get involved We are compiling a response to the consultation – please send your comments to william.bushby@adbioresources.org by 3 July.

In addition, ENA is holding a consultation workshop on 23 June at its London offices. To register, contact regulation@energynetworks.org by 12 June.

GRID CONNECTION LIMITATIONS HINDERING INDUSTRY GROWTH Getting a prompt electricity connection to the local distribution network is essential for most AD projects. Yet, over the last few months, we have received evidence from developers across the country highlighting their difficulties in doing so. This problem is being experienced by most renewable technologies, and Ofgem has now consulted on how to deliver a more efficient connection process, which also protects the interests of consumers.

In summary, the consultation acknowledged that, under the current system, there is insufficient anticipatory reinforcement of the grid, leading to long delays for those seeking new connections where an area of grid reaches full capacity. Ofgem has therefore proposed three potential solutions to this problem, summarised as follows: Scenario 1: Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) can recover the costs of anticipatory reinforcement through energy bills (full socialisation of costs); Scenario 2: DNOs can recover the initial costs of anticipatory reinforcement through energy bills, but the costs are then repaid to bill payers by subsequent connection customers; Scenario 3: Third parties (such as commercial developers or local authorities) can carry out the reinforcement works instead of the DNOs and recover the cost from subsequent connection customers.

Ofgem has also proposed a range of solutions to avoid the need for network reinforcement in the first place, and to create greater flexibility in the recovery of connection charges (for example, by staggering connection costs).

In the past, the regulators’ efforts to improve the service provided by DNOs has proved ineffective and so, in order to continue the development of renewable energy, Ofgem and DECC need to ensure that connections are available quickly and at a reasonable cost. The consultation has now closed and our formal response is available to view at adbioresources.org

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ADBA News

Experts discuss future incentive landscape at Finance Forum We recently held our ninth Finance Forum at BDO in London, with over thirty attendees from a range of different funding providers in attendance.

RO. The overall future of the RHI, and the possibility of pre-accrediting RHI tariffs, were unsurprisingly identified as key issues for the market.

The morning started with a comprehensive update on the AD market from our Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, who highlighted the sector's impressive growth since 2010, and particularly the surge in new biomethane projects during 2014. Looking to the future, however, there is a high level of uncertainty around market projections for 2016 onwards, with a number of policy issues which need to be resolved.

With a maturing market for operational plants, the meeting discussed valuing AD assets, led by a presentation from Fisher German. A market is also developing for the sale of sites with planning permission and a grid connection – in one recent case a 2 MW site was sold for £500,000 – and renting plants. Although agricultural plants are now producing some good performance figures, operational standards were still identified as a key concern for funders, with some noting that the risk of future problems and failures exists even where a plant is running well.

Our Strategic Advisor, Chris Huhne, set the scene to discuss those issues, looking at the wider economic and political context for the incoming government. Although the economy is improving – and ministerial appointments suggest a positive attitude to renewable energy – central government spending is likely to remain severely constrained. He therefore set out the value-for-money case for AD, looking in particular at the financial benefit of dispatchability.

The Green Investment Bank's Dominic Noel-Johnson provided an update on the GIB’s involvement in the AD market. The bank has now invested in six AD projects, and produced a second report on the market in March. Despite feedstock constraints, the bank still sees the opportunity for new projects, particularly in Northern Ireland. Their minimum investment is around £1m through funds, or £10-15m directly.

Matt Hindle, ADBA's Head of Policy, then led a discussion on the upcoming consultations and policy changes we expect from the new government. Delegates were particularly keen to explore sustainability criteria, which will be implemented for RHI plants from October. DECC is also likely to consider sustainability for electricity plants in the FIT review, which could follow a similar approach to the

In open discussion, the Finance Forum noted that banks are becoming more comfortable with AD investments, especially where these are linked to the overall viability of a farming business. The group felt that KPIs for operational projects need further development, recognising their complexity compared to other renewables.

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info@planet-biogas.co.uk

Regions

News from the regions

Northern Ireland sends less waste to landfill

Irish clean-tech firm recognised by UK energy and water sectors NVP Energy, an Irish clean-tech company that has developed an innovative technology that generates revenue from wastewater, has received two prestigious awards from the UK energy and water sectors, alongside a substantial grant from DECC. The firm won the Most Innovative New Technology of the Year award at the Water Industry Achievement Awards in April, and two days later scooped the Innovation Award for Energy from Waste at the Environment & Energy Awards. In addition, NVP Energy has also been formally awarded the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF) from DECC, which will support the delivery of a full scale Lt-AD reactor at a UK food and drinks wastewater treatment plant.

NVP Energy’s technology, Lt-AD (low temperature anaerobic digestion) treats low strength wastewater in a sustainable way, removing up to 90 per cent of the organic sludge and recovering valuable biogas in the process. www.nvpenergy.com

enquiries@nrm.uk.com

Figures reveal that while councils in Northern Ireland collected more waste between October and December 2014 than during the same period in the previous year, the country is sending less waste to landfill. Councils collected 223,000 tonnes of waste in the final quarter of 2014, an increase of two per cent on Q4 in 2013, but the tonnage of local authority collected municipal waste going to landfill was down eight per cent. The reduction has been largely achieved through diverting waste for energy recovery, as well as an increase in the quantity sent for recycling. The Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Mark H Durkan, said: “Reducing the waste we produce and fully utilising the waste that is produced as a valuable resource will deliver economic and environmental benefits.”

Falkirk residents urged to recycle food waste as four-weekly residual collections loom Falkirk Council has revealed that 28 per cent of the residual waste it collects still contains food waste. The authority was the first in the UK to move to three-weekly collections for residual waste after fully rolling out the service in March, and will introduce four-weekly collections in 2016. It is on course to divert 9,000 tonnes of waste from landfill, representing a saving of £385,000pa in landfill tax.

www.nrm.uk.com adbioresources.org

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On-farm AD

AD and farming – the perfect fit

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espite the recent global economic upturn, many of Britain’s farmers are struggling to remain profitable. Victims of supermarket price wars, rising energy bills and volatile commodity markets, they’re also under pressure to reduce high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. One result is that, for the first time in living memory, there are fewer than 10,000 dairy farmers in the UK, less than half the total in 2002. In contrast, Britain’s AD sector is booming – in the past five years, it has grown by 622 per cent (outside of the water sector), increasing by 111 per cent last year alone. In particular, we have seen a spike in the number of agricultural plants coming on stream, with 75 new on-farm plants commissioned in 2014, most at below 500 kW capacity.

These AD plants are helping to keep farmers farming.

AD can bring multiple benefits to UK farming. Processing organic farm waste through an on-site AD plant not only reduces the harmful emissions released into the atmosphere, it also generates biogas that can be converted into electricity, heat or biomethane, as well as producing a biofertiliser (digestate) rich in critical nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The cultivation of energy crops such as maize and rye as part of an agricultural rotation also complements farming – not only are they excellent AD feedstocks, they can improve soil quality, reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides and increase subsequent food crop yields, too. Little wonder that so many farmers are waking up to the potential of AD. Stephen Temple and his 170 kW AD plant at his farm in north Norfolk

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Farmers at the sharp end

Stephen Temple is Director of JF Temple & Son Ltd and runs Copys Green Farm, a 550 acre mixed dairy and arable farm in north Norfolk. Stephen has been successfully operating his 170 kW plant for a number of years. “The AD plant takes slurry from our 100 milking cows, whey from our cheesemaking, lower quality maize silage (we leave the best for the cows), energy beet and wholecrop cereals,” explains Stephen. “We utilise as much of the heat from the CHP as possible, for grain drying, dairy hot water, cheesemaking process heat, heating the farmhouse and three farm cottages, and warm drinking water for the cows. There is a considerable return from the sale of electricity, savings made by not having to buy it in, and reduced fertiliser costs and improved fertility and value of our farmland. The environment benefits too, particularly as we are reducing the pollution potential of our livestock manure.”

For Duncan Worth of Worth Farms and QV Foods in Lincolnshire, becoming energy self-sufficient is just one of the advantages of his on-farm AD plant: “Our 1.4 MW Tamar Energy facility uses waste from our packing and processing operations, vegetable food waste from other sources, and 8,000 tpa of maize, which is grown on 170ha of land unsuitable for potato production,” he explains. “As a fairly remote farm site with relatively weak infrastructure, Duncan Worth’s farm is home to a 1.4 MW Tamar Energy AD facility, which processes waste from QV Foods’ packing and processing operations, vegetable food waste, and 8,000 tpa of maize

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On-farm AD David Finlay runs Rainton Farm near Gatehouse of Fleet, a 340ha mixed livestock farm with the dairy herd supplying the Findlay's Cream O'Galloway ice cream company. A 25 kW AgriDigestore system from Marches Biogas has been fitted to the farm’s slurry tower to capture biogas from dairy slurry and grass silage. “For less capital cost than our 50 kW wind turbine, and delivering three times the electrical power, we’ve converted our slurry tower into an anaerobic digester (with no planning issues), generating enough electricity and hot water to run the dairy,” explains David. “We’ve also enhanced the fertiliser value of our slurry significantly and reduced its pollution potential, while cutting our greenhouse gas emissions and energy use substantially.”

Maximising your return

However, there can be no denying that tariff degression is denting investor confidence in the viability of small scale AD operations. With this in mind, it’s now more crucial than ever that on-farm plants are run safely and efficiently.

“The way to make small scale, on-farm AD work is to make full use of the heat; for example in greenhouses,” believes Ian Watt of Forum for the Future.

Biogen’s Bygrave Lodge plant is situated on Wallington Farms in Hertfordshire and provides Farm Manager Andrew Watts with nitrogen-rich digestate for his crops

having an on-site power plant makes us more robust and gives us a better platform for growth. With rising energy costs, our AD plant has made our site 90-95 per cent energy self-sufficient in electricity, plus we are now keeping around 10,000 tonnes of potato outgrades and peel waste on site, reducing waste disposal and transport costs. And the digestate we produce saves us around £100,000 a year before application costs.”

For some farmers, digestate production is the primary driver for getting involved in AD. Andrew Watts is Farm Manager of Wallington Farms in Hertfordshire where Biogen’s latest AD plant (Bygrave Lodge, a 2.1 MW food waste facility) stands. “It’s early days for us but the digestate we’ve had from the plant so far is higher in nitrogen than we were expecting – between 6.8-7 kilos per m3 – which is great news. The AD plant should provide enough nitrogen for two-thirds of our crops and to have it produced on site, as a renewable source, is a good thing. Plus, we’re adding organic matter to the soil. In effect, we’ve made this a mixed farm – we have an organic source of nitrogen, created through a digestion process, just the same as if we had pigs, poultry or cows on the farm.”

Matt Hale of HRS Heat Exchangers agrees that maximising the heat generated by an AD plant will pay dividends: “It’s worth remembering what the FIT scheme was designed to do: increase the uptake of renewable energy technologies to the point where they are sufficiently widespread that development costs come down, so that financial support is no longer necessary. They were not intended to be a long-term subsidy on energy generation. Using the latest heat exchanger technology, which harvests and uses heat wasted at an AD plant, will become one of the easiest ways of attracting investment and continuing to operate profitably, both in new and existing projects.”

There are other ways to help maximise returns from on-farm AD; Dr Johannes Thaysen, a German silage researcher working with Bock UK, believes that crop operators could be losing up to 20 per cent of the energy from their maize and grass silage clamps. This can mean the difference between the success and failure of the whole project. “Harvesting the right dry matter, having the correct chop length, even distribution in layers and good compaction when filling the clamps, combined with high quality double layer covers, sidewall sheets and weighted bags, are key to the success of a good clamp,” he reveals.

“Growers should be aiming for waste-free silage, with no dark patches under the covers, no losses at the edges or hot spots in the lower levels. It is possible to eliminate these problems by paying attention to detail, particularly regarding clamp design, filling and covering.”

Continued>>

Small scale, big benefits

While some farmers are choosing to ‘go large’, the smaller scale on-farm AD market is developing too. Indeed, the benefits farmers can gain from developing an AD plant at this size should not be underestimated. “It’s important not to approach AD with a preconceived notion about the size of the plant you want – bigger is not always better,” warns Alistair Wannop, Managing Director of Linstock Castle AD in Cumbria. Alistair runs a 1,200 acre mixed diary and arable farm and operates a 1.1 MW AD plant, which processes muck and slurry from the farm’s dairy heifer rearing operation; grass silage; maize silage; and wholecrop hybrid rye. “Think instead about what you can offer: what feedstock you produce; what heat you could use; and the practicalities of any grid connections.” Although the Linstock Castle AD plant is relatively large, Alistair adds: “Putting a 100 kW or 250 kW plant alongside an existing livestock business is now a real opportunity.”

Heat exchanger technology from HRS Heat Exchangers is helping on-farm AD to remain profitable in the face of tariff degression

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industrialtanks@balmoral.co.uk

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On-farm AD Paying attention to clamp design can stop crop operators wasting up to 25 per cent of the energy from their siled crops

Sustainable operations

The need to operate sustainably is becoming increasingly important for Britain’s supermarkets, and many are actively encouraging their growers to adopt sustainable practices. “We know the vital importance of ensuring we do the right thing and that we tread lightly, and this is built into our CSR strategy; the Waitrose way,” explains Laura Strangeway, Manager, Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing, for Waitrose. “These are our values and we share our aspirations with our suppliers. In addition, our suppliers know that sustainable operations gain enhanced commercial benefits, too – lean operations that use less energy, consume less water, and generate less waste have lower operational costs and can therefore be more profitable for the long term. An increasing number of Waitrose farmers and growers recognise the opportunities that on-site AD can offer by turning unavoidable production waste, with a costly disposal price tag, into an AD feedstock. To be sustainable is more often than not win-win.”

Demonstrating sustainability is important to government too, and farmers using energy crops must also ensure that they are compliant with bioenergy sustainability criteria if they are to continue receiving RHI and RO payments,

The ‘Waitrose Way’ strategy ensures the supermarket keeps sustainability at its heart

Grown responsibly, crops for AD can complement existing farming practices

with FITs expected to follow suit. And if we are to avoid ‘food versus fuel’ criticisms and ensure that AD continues to complement existing farming practices, it is vital that farmers follow ADBA’s Crop Best Practice guidance, which contains valuable guidelines on how to ensure that crops for AD do not harm our environment.

Do your homework

By making the most of a variety of agricultural feedstocks – from energy crops and vegetable outgrades, to manure and slurries – it’s clear that AD is providing a valuable diversification option for farming businesses of all types and sizes right across the UK. However, an AD operation requires careful research and planning, a high level of technical competence and strict adherence to health and safety regulations if it is to become a success.

While Stephen Temple is now reaping the benefits brought by his on-farm AD enterprise, he is keen to point out that it’s been a steep learning curve: “I would advise any farmer considering AD to talk to as many operators with similar sized plants and similar feedstock as possible before making a commitment.

Ensure the plant is designed for ease of maintenance and access to all powered machinery; and adopt a plant design that could accommodate the worst possible failure – for example, could it cope if the tank or pipework (above or below ground) failed? Could the plant manage flammable and toxic gas leaks?”

The importance of training

Stephen’s advice is something which every would-be operator should heed, says Terence Brownhill, Business Development Manager of PROjEN and Chair of ADBA’s Training, Safety and Environmental Management Group. “Half of all AD plant failures are due to operator error: things such as overfilling the digester, shock-loading the plant, or failing to effectively monitor the biology.

The other half are due to poor design or build: cutting corners by carrying out maintenance for which you are not qualified, or failing to install gas detection systems, for example. Farmers should spend time evaluating the operational characteristics of the plant they are considering. Read ADBA’s Practical Guide to AD; find out if the local agricultural college has an AD-related training course; ensure that the technology provider delivers both pre- and post-commissioning training; spend time on similar plants to gain operating experience and Continued>>

Waitrose believes that sustainable operations reap enhanced commercial benefits adbioresources.org

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Doing AD well

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On-farm AD understand the process biology; engage with the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, and emergency services to discuss site-specific risks; and ensure that only trained and competent people are allowed to feed and operate the plant. The risks of not doing so are not just operational failure, a loss of income, and damage to the reputation of the farm and the AD industry as a whole – it could cost somebody their life.”

Good advice

With so much to consider, it is imperative to take professional advice before embarking on any AD project. “It’s a big step – but potentially a valuable one – when a farmer looks to diversify into AD,” says Bruce Nelson, Director of Compass Renewables, ADBA’s financial arm. “The key is to get good advice early on. A free initial discussion with an advisor through ADBA’s Farmers’ Consultancy Service to establish the technical feasibility and, simultaneously, with ADBA’s financial advisor, also free, is a great start. A positive approach from these areas will allow the farmer to progress with a more informed approach.” The final word goes to Worth Farms’ Duncan Worth, who concludes: “AD is hard work and not for the faint-hearted. It won’t suit every farm business, but where it works, there is real benefit.” www.tamar-energy.com www.biogen.co.uk www.marchesbiogas.com www.hrs-heatexchangers.com www.bock-uk.com www.waitrose.com www.projen.co.uk www.compassbusinessfinance.co.uk

Successful AD operations are run with safety as the number one priority

Get involved • To find out if AD is right for your faming business contact ADBA’s free Farmers’ Consultancy Service: http://bit.ly/1Hs9Lik • We are running free Farmers’ Breakfast Briefings from 8.30-11am on both days of UK AD & Biogas 2015 (1-2 July, NEC Birmingham) – see adbioresources.org for more info.

• To download a copy of the Practical Guide to AD or our Crop Best Practice guidance, go to adbioresources.org

ukinfo@major-equipment.com

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Advice Clinic: Training

Advice Clinic: Training

In our regular advice column, ADBA members provide answers to some common AD queries.

Q A

“I’m thinking of establishing an AD plant on my farm. How do I gather knowledge about the process and how it works? Who do I need to contact? And how can I get my people trained to run an AD plant?”

“A good start is to read ADBA’s Practical Guide to AD, contact ADBA’s Farmers’ Consultancy Service, and visit as many plants in your area as possible. The key people to commence a dialogue with in order to confirm the regulatory requirements are the local Planning and Highways Officers and your local Environment Agency office. Regarding training, your plant provider should offer a minimum period of operator training once the plant has been built. During the build your nominated operators should have the opportunity to review the build stages to understand how the equipment and processes interface. The size of the plant will determine the level of competence you are required to evidence under the current site permit regulations but, as a new site, you may have a period of time to build up a portfolio of knowledge.”

Terence Brownhill, ADBA Director, Chair of ADBA’s Training, Safety and Environmental Management Group, and Business Development Manager of PROjEN (part of Capita) T +44 (0)1928 752500 E terence.brownhill@capita.co.uk www.projen.co.uk

Q A

“We are struggling to recruit great candidates with an AD background. Should we widen our remit and consider training the right person in-house?”

“The recovery of the job market is great news and the growth of the UK AD industry is exciting. However, one challenge this presents is a growing war for talent and, as a recruiter in this space, I’m aware of the shortage of exceptional candidates. In my opinion, the winners will be those businesses who accept that in-depth operational AD knowledge is a rare commodity. It’s crucial to hire for attitude and invest time and resources into training the right people – take a long-term view and be prepared to be flexible. For example, hire talent with a background in composting/other biological treatment; when coupled with in-house AD training this can be a powerful combination, particularly when compared to hiring the wrong person with the right experience, or waiting for months on end for that elusive ‘perfect’ candidate to appear.”

Bobby Benson, Director, Robert Adams Search & Selection Ltd T +44 (0)208 420 7482 E bobby@robertadamssearch.com www.robertadamssearch.com

Q A

“What’s the best way to help train AD plant operatives to maximise plant revenue, minimise the quantity of digestate produced and meet PAS 110 requirements?”

“Anaerobic digestion is the conversion of organic resources into principally methane and carbon dioxide, plus digestate. How much methane is produced and the stability of the digestate is largely determined by operator decisions. The operator must decide, set values for and control a whole range of factors for the plant. These can include, but are not limited to: the digester hydraulic retention; the organic loading rate; the feed dry solids concentration; the nutrient requirement of the feedstock; 14

and the likelihood of specific feedstocks generating foam. But what exactly are these? And how and why should they be managed? In an increasingly competitive landscape for feedstocks, and with growing pressure upon landbank, now more than ever the industry needs trained digester operators who understand all these factors and who can carry out practical solutions.”

AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

Dr Nigel Horan, Director, Aqua Enviro, and Reader in Public Health Engineering at University of Leeds T +44 (0)1924 257891 E enquiries@aquaenviro.co.uk www.aquaenviro.co.uk

Q A

“We are in the process of setting up an AD plant and applying for an Environment Agency (EA) permit. How do we obtain the correct training and certification for our employees?”

“For the site to be compliant with the current EA requirements for competent management on permitted sites, at least one person needs to hold the relevant WAMITAB certificate (though to cover for absences, two people are recommended). There are also guidelines on the minimum hours of attendance per week on site by the competent manager.

This certificate can be obtained by contacting an approved assessment centre (such as Serac) who can then provide two choices for the employee(s) to achieve the appropriate qualification. The employee can either: • Be assessed on site for an NVQ – this usually takes 6-12 months; • Attend a short course, then pass a test – this usually takes 3-6 months.

This is the minimum training as required by the permit. Further training may well be required in order to safely and effectively operate the facility.”

Don Glaister, Managing Director, Serac UK T +44 (0)1603 627428 E don.glaister@serac.co.uk www.serac.co.uk

Next issue: Regulatory advice Send your regulatory queries to kate.oreilly@adbioresources.org

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

Members’ News & Views ENER-G CHP technology warms up cash returns for small scale AD A new sub-200 kWh CHP unit from ENER-G is helping to stem the shortfall from FIT degression and ongoing tariff reductions, making small scale AD viable for a wider customer base. The E200 biogas CHP unit provides a thermal output of 195 kWth and an electrical output of 205 kWe, at a total efficiency rating of 77.1 per cent. “The heat efficiency for a unit of this size is unmatched in the market, which is critical in boosting RHI returns to bridge the shortfall from dwindling FIT rates,” states ENER-G’s Laurence Stephenson. The higher rate of RHI payment, available ENER-G’s new CHP unit is helping small-scale AD projects stack up financially only to sub-200 kWth sites, provides customers with an extra 1.6p per kWth compared to the next tariff band, while FITs are payable on electricity generated from a CHP unit of this size at the highest current rate of 10.13p per kWh. According to ENER-G, this means a typical farm or dairy operating the E200 on a 24-hour cycle at 92 per cent availability would receive annual payments of £167,361 for FITs and £117,866 for RHI – amounting to a total guaranteed 20-year income of up to £5.7m. www.energ-group.com See feature, ‘On-farm AD’, p8

New range of gas and power purchase agreements from Total Gas & Power Total Gas & Power – part of Total Group, one of the world’s leading oil companies – has launched a fresh set of products for gas and power purchase agreements. Now more attractive for AD generators than ever before, the range varies from a five-year fixed product to an innovative flexible option that gives generators full use of the energy market, including hourly day-ahead prices.

The company’s web-based platform affords generators direct access to the markets at the click of a button, along with half-hourly generation data and financial results. And not only will Total Gas & Power pass on the value of any embedded benefits, their Premium FIT service will also provide more regular payments than the industry norm. To find out more contact: T +44 (0)1737 275844. www.totalgp.com

www.geotechuk.com sales@geotech.co.uk adbioresources.org

JUNE 2015 | AD & Bioresources News

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Members’ News & Views Weltec Biopower helps vegetable producer go green Weltec Biopower The 500 kW plant will digest a variety of is building a feedstocks for vegetable producer Gilfresh 500 kW AD facility in Loughgall, Northern Ireland for vegetable producer Gilfresh Produce, the AD plant manufacturer’s third site in Northern Ireland and eleventh in the UK. From July 2015, Gilfresh’s vegetable washing water and waste crops – including root vegetables, salad and cabbage – will be fed to the AD plant, along with cattle manure, chicken litter, whole crop, grass and maize silage. “The biogas plant will enable us to pursue our growth course on the one hand and our ecological goals on the other,” explains Thomas Gilpin, founder of Gilfresh. Around 40 per cent of the power generated by the plant will be used in the company’s own production process, with any excess power fed to the grid. Gilfresh will also use the heat to heat its company buildings and in its production processes. www.weltec-biopower.com See Technology Focus: Pre-treatment technology, p28

Viridor increases AD efficiency with Esterline’s metallic thermal solutions When Viridor Waste Management started to experience problems with the containerised gas burning generators at its Walpole AD plant in Somerset, it turned to Esterline for a solution.

Poor insulation coverage had resulted in a loss of revenue, increased maintenance costs and Esterline’s E:Gen is improving the efficiency of Viridor’s reduced safety in the Walpole plant workplace. Esterline’s E:Gen technology was able to reverse these issues, providing efficient metallic thermal insulation to the engine’s hot surfaces to retain the heat. Derived from aerospace technology, E:Gen can be used for generator turbo covers, side covers and exhaust manifold assemblies; external pipework flange covers (it’s both seagull and rodent proof); and non-return valve covers. Promising to make savings for CHP applications, it also delivers reduced ambient temperatures, reduced dB levels and reduced personal burn risk, and complements HSE workplace safety initiatives. www.esterline.com/egen

www.jonesmcgirr.com info@aprovis.com

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AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

www.aprovis.com

Members’ News & Views

www.huber.co.uk

rotamat@huber.co.uk

adbioresources.org

www.landiagasmix.co.uk

JUNE 2015 | AD & Bioresources News

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Members’ News & Views

Operator News

NEC leftovers power Severn Trent’s Coleshill plant

East Midlands Biogas Centre set to treble capacity Bio Dynamic has received approval to treble the capacity of its AD plant and process 150,000 tonnes of food waste per year. The company says that its East Midlands Biogas Centre in Colwick, Nottingham, will become the second largest food waste digester in the country, with the capacity to power more than 20,000 homes. Gary Burgess, Technical Director, says: “The County Council’s forward thinking vision will allow for a greener and more sustainable future for the county and the region. We will continue to work with local councils in our area to encourage source segregated food waste collections which can be treated by us locally.” www.biodynamicuk.com The East Midlands Biogas Centre will have the capacity to power over 20,000 homes

The NEC has become one of the first local businesses to send its food waste to Severn Trent Green Power’s £13m food waste AD plant.

Located on the outskirts of The NEC’s Brian Pell Birmingham, adjacent to and Severn Trent’s Severn Trent Water’s Coleshill Chris Jellett seal the deal sewage treatment works, the plant opened in February 2015 and will process just under 50,000 tonnes of food waste per year. “We’ll be stopping around 8,000 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the local environment, equivalent to taking 3,300 cars off UK roads,” explains Severn Trent’s Chris Jellett. “To add to that, every year we expect to generate around 17,000 MWh, enough to power around 4,000 homes or the whole of Coleshill sewage treatment works and more. This means that the site will be totally self-sufficient for its electricity needs.” www.severntrent.co.uk As part of UK AD & Biogas 2015, we are offering a site visit to the Coleshill plant on 30 June. Places cost £28 plus VAT and booking fee, and are available on a first come, first served basis. All attendees must bring their own steel toe capped boots. To book your place, go to http://bit.ly/1DqJudz

Biogen – Putting the customer first Biogen has recently opened its fifth plant, the £12m Bygrave Lodge food waste facility near Baldock, Hertfordshire. ADBA Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, accompanied our Managing Editor, Kirsty Sharpe, and Editor, Kate O’Reilly, to the plant’s official opening, and learnt how the company places customer satisfaction at the heart of its operations...

There has been talk over the past year that food waste AD may have reached its ‘tipping point’; that the amount of AD capacity coming on stream is outstripping the supply of available food waste. Yet food waste AD operator Biogen continues to thrive. “Three and a half years ago, we employed 45 people and treated 75,000 tonnes of food waste,” explained the company’s Chief Executive, Julian O’Neill. “Now, thanks to a £70m investment, we employ around 100 people and are treating 250,000 tonnes of food waste.”

Among the companies sending their food waste for treatment at the 2.1 MW Bygrave Lodge facility are Asda, Simmons Bakeries, West London Waste Authority, and ACM Environmental. Keeping them happy is top of Biogen’s L-R: Julian O’Neill, Charlotte Morton, Kate O’Reilly and Kirsty Sharpe at Biogen’s Bygrave Lodge plant

er memb

visit

list of priorities. “We don’t talk about ‘feedstock suppliers’ – we have customers,” stated Julian.

“We can’t let them down; we strive to be fair on pricing, to be flexible, and to provide regular reporting.” The company has also invested heavily in Food waste being delivered at Bygrave Lodge pre-treatment technology.

Bygrave Lodge employs two hammer mills, fed via two screw feed augers with magnets to remove ferrous metals. The hammer mills separate the food waste from the packaging; the packaging is washed and sent for recycling while the separated food waste is sent to the anaerobic digesters for processing. There is of course a cost implication in such an array of technology, but for Biogen, it’s money well spent. “Our customers are busy people, and they don’t want extra work,” Julian explained. “We see ourselves as a one-stop shop. It’s our job to make it easy for them to recycle their food waste with us.”

It’s a strategy which is paying dividends. With a further two Biogen plants (at Warwickshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf) set to come on stream later this year, it’s clear that a focus on customer service, health and safety, and process efficiency is helping to ensure that Biogen continues to reap the benefits of ‘doing AD well’. www.biogen.co.uk

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www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

Members’ News & Views Movers and Shakers Ecotricity’s Green Gas Mills ‘the antidote to fracking’ Following several years of research and development, Ecotricity has launched its Green Gas Mills concept. Using anaerobic digestion to convert grass into gas, the company’s first project will be submitted into planning later this year. Each of the Green Gas Mills will power 6,000 homes. “Our Green Gas Mills will produce gas that is carbon neutral, supports food production and is sustainable – with the process actually improving the local environment rather than damaging it,” says Ecotricity founder Dale Vince. www.ecotricity.co.uk

SWR acquires RUR3 Specialist Waste Recycling (SWR) has acquired RUR3 Environmental. The strategic move combines RUR3’s expertise and knowledge of food waste production and disposal within the UK, with SWR’s large client base and extensive supply chain, to deliver nationwide, cost effective solutions for food waste recycling. Jacqui MacCaig, Managing Director of RUR3, comments: “We are now in the position to offer AD plants closer relationships with food waste suppliers via our network of collectors across a variety of sectors and are excited at becoming part of the SWR growth story.” www.rur3.co.uk

AeroThermal’s R&D facility now open for business AeroThermal Group’s new contract R&D facility is now open for business.

Based in Poole, Dorset, the laboratory specialises in the examination of the anaerobic biodegradation potential of different waste materials with or without pre-treatment, and boasts 36 laboratory-scale, constantly stirred digesters.

Services include: biomethane potential (BMP) testing; semi-continuous anaerobic digestion testing; pH measurement; DS & VS testing; biogas composition; COD; VFA; and ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen analysis. www.aerothermalgroup.com

greenlanebiogas.com

sales@greenlanebiogas.com adbioresources.org

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www.sepuram.com

Sponsored by:

UK AD & Biogas 2015 will play host to our fourth Industry Awards.

The UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2015 will showcase achievement and innovation across the AD industry in a diverse range of categories, raising the profile and benefits of the industry in the process.

Celebrate the best of the best in style with good food, excellent entertainment and great company.

Book your ticket or table now With only a few seats still remaining, you’ll need to be quick if you want a place at this year’s awards ceremony.

ADBA Members • Table of 10: £1,400 + VAT • Individual place: £150 + VAT Non-members • Table of 10: £1,800 + VAT • Individual place: £190 + VAT 20

AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

Register your place at adbioresoures.org

UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2015 Preview

Celebrate excellence at the AD event of the year

W

ith more categories and a longer shortlist, this year’s UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards ceremony is poised to be the most exciting yet, rewarding excellence in all areas of AD. Celebrate with us in style on 1 July 2015, the first night of UK AD & Biogas 2015, at Concourse Suites 1-2, NEC Birmingham. Book now to reserve your place and enjoy a drinks reception, three-course dinner with wine, entertainment from a top comedian, and of course the awards ceremony itself, hosted by Charlotte Smith from BBC Radio 4's Farming Today.

The shortlist Innovation in sewage treatment through AD Sponsored by • Anglian Water Services Ltd • GENeco • Severn Trent Water • Joint entry: Welsh Water and University of South Wales NEW Innovation in community and commercial food waste collection: • Essex County Council • Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council • Olleco • Oxford City Council

“As a founder member of ADBA, we’ve seen first-hand the rise and rise of both the Association and the UK AD industry.

To be recognised by our peers – all experts in their field – is especially rewarding.”

Sarah Farr, Edina Winner 2014 – Best merchant waste AD project

Innovation in process efficiency/optimisation • ENER-G Combined Power Ltd • HRS Heat Exchangers • Weltec Biopower (UK) Ltd Making the most of digestate • Joint entry: Edina and Strathendrick Biogas • HRS Heat Exchangers • Nijhuis H2OK Ltd Making the most of biogas • GENeco • Malmberg Ltd • Olleco • Severn Trent Water • Uniflare Ltd Best supporting service provider • Elsoms Seeds • Pegasus Group • Wilkin Chapman LLP

est on-farm AD project B Sponsored by • Joint entry: Edina and Guy and Wright • Qila Energy • Wyke Farms Best food and drink industry AD project • Olleco • Joint entry: Diageo and Clearfleau • Wyke Farms Best merchant waste AD project or plant • Agrivert • Bio Dynamic UK Ltd • Biogen • Veolia est small scale AD project (sub-250 kW) B • Evergreen Gas • New Generation Biogas Ltd • QUBE Renewables AD hero/team of the year • Agrivert Operations and Maintenance Team • RUR3 Environmental Ltd – Jacqui MacCaig • SGN – Alan Midwinter • Tamar Energy Operations Team • Joint entry: Tamar Energy and QV Foods NEW Best engineering team • Clarke Energy • Qila Energy • Uniflare Ltd • Weltec Biopower (UK) Ltd EW Best maintenance team N • Clarke Energy • Edina • Qila Energy NEW Best installation/commissioning team • Biogen • Clarke Energy • Edina • Uniflare Ltd

Register your place at adbioresoures.org Sponsor an award and stand out from the crowd

Sponsored by:

There are still a few excellent sponsorship opportunities available. To raise your company’s profile at the AD event of the year, contact Andy Rogers: T +44 (0)1789 296999 E sponsor_awards@adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

JUNE 2015 | AD & Bioresources News

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UK AD & Biogas 2015 Preview

The UK’s biggest AD event returns Time to step on the gas

UK AD & Biogas 2015 – the industry event of the year – returns to the NEC, Birmingham for the sixth time on 1-2 July 2015. Having grown a staggering 483 per cent since our inaugural exhibition in 2010, the show continues to be the UK’s only dedicated AD, biogas and bioresources trade show, and this year offers our most impressive array of FREE content ever. Delivering over 250 exhibitors, seminar sessions, an AD site visit, biomethane vehicle area and our second R&D Hub, it’s the ideal place to network, learn and do business.

And following the General Election, our free two-day conference will take an in-depth look at the future of the industry during this government. This is one event you really can’t afford to miss.

Register now to beat the queues at adbioresources.org

What’s on offer?

• Two-day high level conference • 22 seminar sessions • One-to-one advice clinics • R&D Hub • Biomethane Vehicle Area • Edina networking café • AD site visit to Severn Trent Green Power Coleshill (30 June) - see p18 for details • UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards • Farmers' Breakfast Briefings

“Exhibiting at the premier event in the biogas calendar gives us the opportunity to catch up with existing clients and make new contacts. We are delighted to show our support for the industry as headline sponsors of the event.”

Tony Fenton, Edina

Join our sponsors Raise your company’s profile in front of the UK’s biggest AD-specific audience.

Headline sponsor:

Conference sponsor:

Seminar sponsors:

Supporting sponsors:

Packages still available – contact jamil.ahad@adbioresources.org for more info.

Last chance to book your stand!

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AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

R&D Hub Following the success of last year’s R&D Hub, we are once again offering a forum for visitors interested in exploring AD research and development. Discussion topics include: • Biochemical research • Lifecycle analysis • Conservation biomass • AD design • AD optimisation and efficiency • Sustainability of the AD process • AD research funding

Limited stand space still available. Don’t delay – contact jamil.ahad@adbioresources.org today www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

Free advice clinics Take advantage of our free one-to-one advice clinics and let our expert advisors help solve your AD queries.

Clinics include: • Farming • Finance • Legal • FIT • RHI • Biomethane Certification Scheme • Permitting • PPAs and GPAs • Operational performance Pre-book your slot at adbioresources.org

UK AD & Biogas 2015 Preview Conference programme

Sponsored by

Day 1 – Wednesday 1 July

Day 2 – Thursday 2 July

Time Topic

Time Topic

10:30 – 11:00 Welcome and Introduction

10:00 – 11:00 The view from government

11:00 – 12:30 The outlook for AD and the future of the industry

11:00 – 11:15 Break

12:30 – 13:30 Break

11:15 – 13:00 L and use, climate change and food security: the role of bioenergy in the UK

13:30 – 15:30 Where now for UK waste policy?

13:00 – 14:00 Break

15:30 – 15:45 Break

14:00 – 15:45 Making the most of bioresources

15:45 – 17:15 Should there be AD on every farm?

For the full programme, including timings, go to adbioresources.org

Our speakers • Chris Huhne, Strategic Advisor, ADBA • Guy Smith, Vice President, NFU • David Kaner, CEO, Advanced Anaerobics • Tony Glover, Director of Policy, Energy Networks Association • Mark Linehan, Managing Director, Sustainable Restaurant Association

Seminar programme

“The busiest event we attend worldwide.”

• Ray Nattrass, Head of Process Design and Engineering, Shanks Waste Management • Neil Grundon, Deputy Chairman, Grundon Waste Management • And many more Green seminar sponsored by

Hugh Vaughan, Landia

Purple seminar sponsored by

Day 1 – Wednesday 1 July

Day 2 – Thursday 2 July

10:00 – 10:55

10.00 – 10.55 Feedstock – how to

source and separate

waste

The benefits of local AD – community engagement and planning

11:00 – 11:55 Growing energy Operational

crops and managing performance –

land use innovation and

process

12:00 – 12:55 Latest on the Operational

sustainability performance – criteria bioresources

11.00 – 11.55 The future of large

scale AD

12.00 – 12.55 The future of small

scale AD

Feasible AD projects – developing successful business plans

13:00 – 14:00 Break

13.00 – 14.00 Break

14:00 – 14:55 On-site AD –

the benefits of

capturing heat

15:00 – 15:55 Digestate

management –

uses of digestate

AD within the water sector – will the water industry treat more food waste?

14.00 – 14.55 Avenues of finance

for AD projects

Biomethane production – connecting to the grid and upgrading technology

15:00 – 15:55 Avenues of finance – Risk management –

asset value training and

competence

16.00 – 16.55

Biomethane to markets – transport fuel and the future of the RHI

On-site AD – the food and drinks sector

Digestate management – technology and innovation

Operational performance – additives and plant stability

Risk management – construction and operation

Improving food waste collections within businesses and local authorities

Calling all farmers Come to our free Famers’ Breakfast Briefings, from 8.30-10am on both days of the show. For more info email barbara.landellmills@adbioresources.org

adbioresources.org

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UK AD & Biogas 2015 Exhibitor Preview CWE Ltd reaches seventy year milestone Sponsor demonstrates continued support for AD industry Edina UK Ltd supplies power generation to waste plants, AD facilities and CHP applications, and is the sole distributor for MWM in the UK and Ireland. MWM generation sets are designed for maximum electrical and thermal efficiency, low operating and service costs, and high reliability and availability, achieving efficiency of over 90 per cent. Joint Managing Director, Tony Fenton, comments: “UK AD & Biogas 2015 offers us a unique opportunity to meet with potential clients, showcase our innovation and expertise in AD, and demonstrate our continued support for the industry.” Edina UK is very proud to be the lead sponsor of this year’s event and visitors will have an opportunity to hear from AD expert and advocate, Ian Farr, during the sponsor’s address. Biogas specialist Ian will also be on hand to provide general and technical information to visitors at the company’s stand.

Stand F105 www.edina.eu

Chevron focuses on reliability and performance

Launch of new grit removal technology

Following last year’s extremely busy event, Huber has seen a rise in interest for its pre- and post-digestion equipment; the Bio Grit removal/ washing system, Dewatering Press and the StrainPress range. The company has since developed its reject washing, plastics washing and grit removal systems for the biowaste market, and is set to launch the technology at UK AD & Biogas 2015.

“Over the last few years the show has proved to be a real success, and a great way to showcase our work in this fast-moving industry. This year, we are looking forward to catching up with existing customers, making new contacts and finding out what’s new, and we are also pleased to be a supporting sponsor once again,” reveals Steve Morris, Managing Director.

Stand B301 www.huber.co.uk 24

AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

Family firm CWE Ltd of Wolverhampton started life as an electrical contractor seventy years ago, and now installs all power, data and control cabling to AD plants. The company has worked on 17 plants so far, including three gas to grid projects, and also carries out all necessary procedures, such as testing and certifying the installation, as well as maintenance. This is CWE’s first year as an exhibitor at UK AD & Biogas and the team is looking forward to showcasing its services and expertise to an AD-specific audience. Peter Whitehouse, Managing Director (pictured with Jo Whitehouse, Business Development Manager), comments: “One of our proudest achievements in our substantial history is an outstanding level of staff retention. We have kept ahead of the competition by investing in training and keeping up with technological advances.”

Stand F301 www.coswhielec.co.uk

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

Chevron Lubricants has underlined its commitment to the AD and biogas sector by delivering products and services which enhance its customers’ business through equipment efficiency and reliability. Exhibiting at UK AD & Biogas for the second year, the company is looking forward to promoting the benefits of its HDAX family of Group II premium base oil formulations, sold throughout Europe under the Texaco brand.

Paul Nadin-Salter, Power Generation Co-ordinator, Europe, comments: “With gas engine reliability key to business profitability and success, our customers need products which offer high performance component protection with low maintenance engine performance and optimal system uptime. The show is a great opportunity for us to engage with people in this vital sector and explain more about our products and services.”

Stand J101 www.chevronlubricants.com

UK AD & Biogas 2015 Exhibitor Preview CBG rebrands as Greenlane Biogas

Ultra-energy efficient digestate pasteurisation technology

Chesterfield Biogas (CBG) will be exhibiting as Greenlane Biogas following the acquisition of Greenlane by Pressure Technologies plc, the holding company of CBG. The established team, based in Sheffield, is now responsible for all European operations and the company’s stand will promote its record of innovation over the last 20+ years. The largest manufacturer of biogas-to-biomethane upgrading plant in the world, Greenlane Biogas has over 90 operational sites, all employing the proven water-wash process, including the world’s largest, commissioned earlier this year in Montreal, Canada.

A sponsor of UK AD & Biogas 2015, Greenlane’s staff will be on hand to explain further technical progress in treating impurities in biogas derived from food waste – such as high levels of H2S, VOCs and siloxanes – without the need for pre-processing facilities.

Stand G229 www.greenlanebiogas.com

HRS Heat Exchangers will showcase its latest ultra-energy efficient digestate pasteurisation technology at UK AD & Biogas 2015. When pasteurising digestate to meet PAS 110 standards, the HRS 3 Tank Batch Sludge Pasteuriser System uses waste heat from the CHP engine via the engine’s cooling water and recycles the heat used during the pasteurisation process to reduce energy consumption by up to 70 per cent. The system’s heat exchanger inner tube (which carries the digestate) is designed with a unique corrugated surface that improves heat transfer and reduces digestate fouling, which can lead to equipment corrosion. In addition, the HRS supporting software package will track, trace and electronically report every batch of digestate back to the source/time/date/feedstock. Shortlisted for two UK AD & Biogas 2015 Industry Awards, the system is already in operation at a number of UK AD plants, for companies including Veolia Environmental Services, The Shanks Group, Tamar Energy, UTS and Muntons.

Stand E213 www.hrs-heatexchangers.com

Successfully specify an AD storage tank With a vast range of storage products on offer for the AD sector, Balmoral Tanks (formerly Galglass) is looking forward to helping visitors to UK AD & Biogas 2015 specify their storage requirements effectively. “It’s not merely about choosing a tank; such a decision requires consideration of supply chain performance, health & safety credentials and financial security,” explains Jonathan Smith, Sales Director. “The AD sector is unique in its demands on the supply chain, with a great deal of front-end work required to establish the most efficient and cost effective solutions. In the early stages there is a strong onus on product selection related to project requirements including design, planning, cost and operational factors. However, a major focus should also be placed on health & safety as any shortfall in this area could have a significant effect on the project,” advises Jonathan.

Stand E303 www.balmoral-group.com

New range of PPAs and GPAs to be unveiled Since 2008, Total Gas & Power has worked with independent generators and producers, helping them realise the full earning potential of their energy production. Total’s range of innovative PPAs and GPAs has just been refreshed and will be launched at UK AD & Biogas 2015. Contracts vary from a five-year fixed option to an innovative flexible option, which gives full use of the energy market, from hourly day-ahead prices to six seasons ahead. The company’s web-based platform provides direct access to the markets along with half-hourly generation data and financial results, while their hassle-free Premium FIT service offers more regular payments than the industry standard. “We’re really excited to launch this range of new products at the show, as it caters for generators of all sizes,” comments Stuart Westerman, Director of Energy & Ancillary Services.

Stand E211 www.totalgp.com adbioresources.org

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UK AD & Biogas 2015 Exhibitor Preview On-farm AD plants with full finance

New partnership to focus on sustainability compliance and reporting

Qila Energy builds AD plants in a range of sizes for farmers across the UK. The design, installation and commissioning of every plant – whether sub-250 kWe, 499 kWe, 1 MWe plus, or biomethane – is carried out by Qila’s UK engineering team. Each facility includes hydrolysis tanks that enable the farmer to use far larger proportions of manures and grass silage than plants with a single digester – even the sub-250 kWe model has a hydrolysis element that allows the operator to use spoilt straw and as much as 80 per cent cattle manure as feedstock. Qila is the leading UK developer of hydrolysis-based AD plants, boasting six operational 499 kWe facilities. A further 12 are currently in construction or development: three at 250 kWe; two at 499 kWe; two at 1 MWe; plus five biomethane plants. Qila offers full funding for farmers; over half the plants it has built so far have been fully funded, with the rest self-financed.

Stand P161 www.qilaenergy.com

Established in 2003, NNFCC is a UK consultancy focused on understanding the broader biorenewable markets and technologies. It supports operators with advice on investment, technologies and providers, operational modelling and profitability analysis. Combined with nutritional expertise and feedstock supply opportunities from AB Agri, this new partnership can help developers create, deliver and operate a compliant and profitable renewable energy project. The partnership extends NNFCC’s reach by offering AD operators more in-depth advice on greenhouse gas compliance and monitoring, and product use information. And, as the need for sustainability reporting rapidly approaches, it can also help operators understand sustainable feedstock supplies and availability, calculate GHG savings and supply chain impacts, and identify potential improvements. A bespoke GHG calculator will be showcased at the event, to demonstrate the complexities and key sensitivities in reporting.

Stands G507/F407 www.nnfcc.co.uk www.abagri.com

Seminar speaker to reveal benefits of gas mixing system At 11am on 1 July at the Purple Seminar, Alastair James Ward from Aarhus University will reveal key findings from his study into the performance of Landia’s GasMix at a site in Denmark. The seminar, entitled ‘Operational performance – innovation and process’, represents Landia’s first time presenting a paper at UK AD & Biogas, despite being one of ADBA’s founder members, and follows reports by numerous GasMix customers of a significant increase in their site’s gas yields. The company is delighted to be able to present a detailed study, painstakingly compiled over several months, to support these claims. “The figures will speak for themselves,” reveals Hugh Vaughan, Director. “In addition to the greatly improved gas yields and reduction in power use, Landia’s GasMix is also externally-mounted, therefore far easier to maintain and much safer than other systems.”

Stand B101 www.landia.co.uk

Full scale pre-treatment system on display Agricultural feedstocks such as solid manure, straw, and grass cuttings from wetland areas can be difficult to handle in a biogas plant without proper pre-treatment. This is largely due to the increased risk of mechanical problems when feeding the plant, as well as a high chance of creating a floating layer in the digester. To counteract this problem, Xergi has developed a reliable and flexible pre-treatment system. The X-chopper® can handle any type of solid biomass, delivering a homogenous output that can easily be mixed with liquid material and pumped into the digester. Delivering a continuous process with low energy consumption and low maintenance costs, the X-chopper® offers high availability, with the system being fed via the X-hopper® and the X-belt®. Xergi is looking forward to showing a full scale X-chopper® to visitors to its stand at UK AD & Biogas 2015.

Stand G501 www.xergi.com

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sales@tramspread.co.uk www.tramspread.co.uk AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

www.cellwood.se cellwood@salvtech.com adbioresources.org

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Technology Focus: Pre-treatment technology

Why the correct pre-treatment system can mean the difference between project success and failure Gary Jones, Technical Director of Langage AD, outlines the importance of selecting the right pre-treatment technology for your AD operation.

“All the major AD technology providers are aware of the problems caused to equipment by abrasive grits, sediments and floating layers. But it is sometimes the case that, while they may mention this issue to prospective clients (always read the small print!), they don’t always impress on them the importance of it. Some providers have even been known to protect their liability by specifying an input feedstock which simply does not exist. However, operators should be in no doubt that all food waste contains contaminants which, if not removed, will lead to expensive repairs, disposal and operating costs.

While screening technology in many UK plants has been woefully inadequate, fortunately, there are some great pre-treatment systems out there.

So, why do contaminants matter so much and at what points do they affect the digester and associated equipment? We must first accept how aggressive decomposing food waste is, with its low pH level, and how difficult abrasive grits are to move around the system. This understanding is essential when selecting equipment. After all, the bugs inside the digester don’t care if there is a floating layer; it will not stop the gas production. They are also indifferent to sediments accumulating on the digester floor. However, the resulting diminishing biological space in the digester will cause trouble: the bugs will become overfed, leading to rising acids and the eventual 28

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demise of the digester. The correct pre-treatment technology can therefore bring huge rewards, but not just for the front-end of the system. All operators aspire to achieve the PAS 110 standard for digestate and careful selection of separating machinery is crucial in helping to meet these stringent requirements, too.

A good understanding of your feedstock and the right engineering design will significantly enhance a plant’s chances of success. Waste differs in its composition regionally, as well as at point of origin, so this needs to be taken into The Hybag separation hammer mill turns AD feedstock into a soup-like substrate, at least 99 per cent organic

www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

consideration when designing an AD facility.

Supermarket waste will present different problems to domestic waste, for example. With this in mind, it’s worth considering multi-stage clean up systems. The better systems generally have two or more processes for each of the problem points of sinking and floating layers. The best time to integrate these systems is in the design stage, but there are one or two successful retro-fit systems available – if you know where to look! Take time to research all the available options thoroughly; it will save you time and money in the long run.”

Technology Focus: Pre-treatment technology Pre-treatment solutions from ADBA members The compact, patented separation hammer mill from Swiss company Hybag Automationen AG is the preferred solution for food waste pre-treatment for Metamo Process Engineering Ltd. The Hybag equipment transforms off-spec produce, crop waste, leftovers and wrapped or packaged food waste into an easy to pump, organic substrate in one simple, low energy, low water process.

The resulting soup-like substrate is at least 99 per cent organic, with around 15 per cent dry matter and an average particle size of 3-4mm, increasing the gas yield from digestion. Packaging, plastics, cutlery and other extraneous materials are ejected almost dry and at least 99 per cent free from organic matter without further treatment, leaving them suitable for recycling – saving landfill or incineration costs. In combination with Hybag’s tipping trough, conveyor and pump system, the separation hammer mill creates a highly efficient process unit for the pre-treatment of food waste, with several machines already installed for UK waste management companies.

companies, MSE Hiller has unveiled its new Smicon SMIMO120 depackaging machine.

Offering high capacity up to 25 t/hr and superior performance, the Smicon delivers a clean, organic substrate ideal for anaerobic digestion, as well as cleaner packaging waste, meaning lower disposal costs. The unit’s lower operating speeds of around 500 rpm deliver an increased equipment lifespan, reduced maintenance and running costs, lower energy consumption, and reduced noise levels. The company also offers a test and demonstration truck for use at clients’ sites.

In July 2015, Weltec Biopower will commission a 500 kW AD plant in Northern Ireland, for vegetable producer Gilfresh Produce. With a mixed feedstock comprising vegetable waste, cattle manure and chicken litter, as well as whole crop,

Following extensive testing and years of product development with several leading waste

Continued>>

The Smicon SMIMO120 from MSE Hiller can cope with even the most heavily contaminated of AD feedstocks

The Smicon depackager delivers a clean, organic substrate, ideal for anaerobic digestion

sales@acp-concrete.co.uk www.acp-concrete.co.uk adbioresources.org

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Technology Focus: Pre-treatment technology benefits our commitment to environmental and health & safety standards will bring.”

Weltec Biopower’s MULTIMix system will help Gilfresh Produce cope with a mixed feedstock when its 500 kW AD plant opens in the summer

grass and maize silage, a unique pre-treatment solution is required to ensure the digester will be able to be fed continuously. Weltec Biopower’s robust MULTIMix system guarantees continuous substrate homogenisation and stable plant operation. In combination with an 80m³ solid matter dosing feeder, the MULTIMix ensures optimum shredding and intensive mixing of the vegetable waste and long-fibre silage. This efficient pre-treatment system not only ensures biological decomposition and efficient gas yield, but is also extremely energy efficient.

And it’s not just the UK’s AD operators who are enjoying the benefits of ever more efficient pre-treatment technology. As part of its mission to become fossil fuel-free, an AD plant in the municipality of Växjö in Sweden – dubbed Europe’s greenest city – is reaping the rewards of using pulp processing technology by Cellwood Machinery AB. Distributed in the UK by Salvtech, Cellwood’s HC-Pulper works by dissolving and separating the organic material into a clean pulp.

It then leaves the reject particles at a larger size compared to most systems, which makes the resulting separation stage more efficient. The system’s robust design means it can easily handle most incorrectly sorted or unsorted materials without interruption, delivering a substrate clean of visible contamination (less than 0.05 per cent).

Furthermore, the Cellwood system can be handled easily by just one operator, with the added option of remote operation and monitoring.

Leeds facility, Meltog has recently delivered and installed a shredding system for Biogen at the AD operator’s new food waste site near Edinburgh, which will process around 30,000 tonnes of food waste each year from households, supermarkets and food processors. David Pharaoh, Divisional Director for Meltog, adds: “We are delighted to have been selected as a partner to Biogen on this project. We have met all our project objectives and deliverables, and we look forward to the further

Meanwhile, Meltog has recently been awarded ISO 9001 accreditation, demonstrating the company’s commitment to delivering high quality, specialised solutions for AD technology providers. “We are very proud to have gained the accreditation, which is the first in a suite of standards that the company is working towards to ensure our customer experience from concept to post-delivery support is second to none,” states Julian Heyworth, Managing Director.

Designed, manufactured and assembled in its

Meltog has manufactured and installed a shredding system for Biogen’s latest food waste plant, near Edinburgh 30

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SEEPEX has expanded its open hopper range of progressive cavity pumps for AD plants with the addition of the BTEX pump for conveying and mixing biogas feedstock. The new design can handle feedstock of varying consistency containing such items as stones or even pieces of metal, which are separated out in the hopper and removed via the inspection hatches. The pump auger screw has a large pitch to ensure optimum product feed, and liquids can be added via flanged inlets at two positions in the pump hopper. As well as optimising digester feedstock, the BTEX is easy to maintain, without the need to remove any pipework, reducing both downtime and installation costs. A valuable addition to the SEEPEX range, this pump is ideal for AD operations that process feedstock with high solids or physical contaminants.

SEEPEX can also supply a full feedstock system, encompassing a BTEX pump for high solids, a BN range pump for liquid addition, and a control panel to ensure optimum ds%. Level controls, dry running protection and pressure monitoring complete the pump protection system. Both the BTEX and the latest addition to the Smart Conveying Technology range will be on display at UK AD & Biogas 2015 – see p22 for full details.

Distributed by Salvtech, the Cellwood HC-Pulper is installed at an AD plant in Europe’s ‘greenest city’ www.adbioresources.org adbioresources.org

www.fitec.com www.metamo.org www.mandse.com www.weltec-biopower.com www.meltog.com www.biogen.co.uk www.salvtech.com www.seepex.com

www.enviroseal.co.uk

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Policy NEW CARBON CALCULATOR GUIDANCE PUBLISHED Ofgem has published new guidance on using the Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator, following updates to the calculator itself earlier this year. There is now more detailed information for those plants using the calculator for RHI compliance, along with new information for plants which claim the RO. All

For up to the minute information and advice on regulations, consultations and government news, contact our Head of Policy, Matt Hindle T +44 (0)203 176 0591 E matt.hindle@adbioresources.org RHI plants which use non-waste feedstocks will be subject to sustainability criteria from October 2015, including thresholds for greenhouse gas emissions.

Operators can choose how they demonstrate their compliance, but the calculator offers one option.

Later this year, DECC is likely to undertake more work on RHI sustainability criteria, with a view to producing new criteria which are more suitable for biogas and biomethane. This would offer an opportunity to resolve various issues – such as the definition of a 'consignment' of feedstock, and the allocation of emissions to digestate as a co-product – but also carries a degree of risk, should DECC decide to tighten criteria. We will keep members informed.

Biogas sustainability is also likely to be the subject of questions in the FIT review, which will be published soon. Future FIT operators are advised to keep up to date with this area of policy – contact matt.hindle@adbioresources.org for further information.

ADBA’S WHO’S WHO GUIDE TO KEY CABINET MINISTERS RT HON ELIZABETH TRUSS MP, DEFRA SECRETARY OF STATE An enthusiastic backer of British farmers and food, Liz Truss has unfortunately been much less vocal on the natural environment. While she has in the past highlighted the benefits of a greener economy, Liz has been criticised for inaction on waste and resources policy, on which Defra reduced its focus in the last Parliament.

Responsibilities • EU and international relations • Emergencies • Common Agricultural Policy reform • Biodiversity

By Derek Sivyer, PR & Parliamentary Affairs Manager T +44 (0)203 176 5441 E derek.sivyer@adbioresources.org

RT HON PATRICK MCLOUGHLIN MP, DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT SECRETARY OF STATE Having held his post since 2012, Patrick has developed a firm grasp on his policy brief. With hugely challenging battles ahead on airport capacity, high speed rail and ageing infrastructure improvements, Patrick is currently unlikely to place much emphasis on the role of biomethane as a transport fuel without any indication of greater collaboration with DECC. That said, the DfT has been looking into biomethane as a possible way to help decarbonise the transport sector. Over the past year it set up the Transport Energy Task Force, which included a section on biomethane, and also commissioned Ricardo AEA to look into the role of biomethane in transport.

Influence Having risen through the ranks quickly from the 2010 intake, Liz served as a junior education minister from 2012 before assuming her current role last summer from the climate change sceptic, Owen Paterson.

Responsibilities • Transport strategy, including economic growth and climate change • Spending review • Transport security • High speed rail (HS2) Influence A heavy hitter on the Conservative benches, Patrick has served as an MP since 1986 and held the post of Chief Whip, responsible for party discipline, before assuming a transport portfolio.

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Policy

As part of the strike price setting work for Contracts for Difference (CfD) from 2019/20, DECC is considering evidence that has been collated on the costs, hurdle rates and load factors of renewable technologies. The evidence was provided by industry members on both technical assumptions (for example, load factors and the operational lifetime of plants) and cost assumptions (including current costs and future cost changes). It will be used to inform the FIT review, as well as future Contracts for Difference. Contact matt.hindle@adbioresources.org for further information.

EA clarifies Standard Rules for biofilters and biogas upgrading The Environment Agency (EA) has released a regulatory position statement clarifying that operators can use biofilters or biogas upgrading systems under current Standard Rules permits.

This addresses an anomaly in the current approach.

The statement reads: ‘Although all of the AD standard rules sets allow point source emissions to air, this is only from those points and sources listed; these are stacks on engines, stacks on boilers burning biogas, auxiliary flares and pressure relief valves. They omit to include any emissions to air from stacks or vents from biofilters or scrubbing systems.’

© Greenlane Biogas

DECC UNDERTAKES REVIEW INTO CFD AND FIT

The EA has confirmed that it intends to correct this omission in the Standard Rules when new versions are released in the autumn. To download the full position statement, go to: http://bit.ly/1Hwtbmn

RT HON AMBER RUDD MP, DECC SECRETARY OF STATE Amber understands the compelling arguments around climate change and is known to quote former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s words to the Conservative party’s climate-sceptics: “The core of Tory philosophy and the case for protecting the environment are the same. No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy with a full repairing lease.”

Amber has also emphasised the need for a strong deal at December’s UN climate change summit in Paris. Writing for BusinessGreen in early May, she stated: “So we will continue to take action to protect the environment as part of our long-term economic plan for green jobs and growth. However, we will do it in a way that represents the lowest possible cost to consumers – through bearing down on the costs of green energy, driving greater innovation and working with business to deliver solutions.”

Amber’s prior experience at DECC will help her to hit the ground running.

Industry must now emphasise the urgent need for decisions on key policy areas and ensure that she holds the Chancellor’s ear – not the other way around.

Responsibilities • Overall strategy on energy, consumer and climate change policy • International Climate Change negotiations • Energy bills and the Competition and Markets Authority investigation • Key decisions on major programmes and new policy within DECC

RT HON GREG CLARK MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT A former Social Democrat, Greg’s appointment to succeed former Communities and Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles MP, will cause some relief across the renewable energy industry. Greg earned a reputation as a considered Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister between 2008-10 and while his attitude towards planning decisions will indicate whether there has been a change in policy direction at DCLG, there is hope that he will ensure a more evidence-based approach to waste collections.

Responsibilities • Supporting local government • Communities and neighbourhoods • Local economic growth • Planning and building Influence Elected in 2005, Greg has held a number of influential shadow and governmental roles and developed his reputation implementing the Government’s key policy of decentralisation. Perceived to be an intelligent, competent figure, Greg is well regarded across the House of Commons.

Influence Former parliamentary private secretary to the influential Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, Amber rose quickly up the parliamentary career ladder. Amber first received a government salary as an assistant whip (responsible for party discipline), and then served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Climate Change under Ed Davey MP.

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Operator & Working Groups Tariff guarantees and CV measurement on agenda for Biomethane to Grid Group

Get involved Our operator and working groups cover the whole spectrum of the AD industry, shaping debate, raising standards and influencing policy. To find out more, or to attend a forthcoming meeting, go to the members’ area at adbioresources.org or contact our Policy Officer, Will Bushby: T +44 (0)203 176 5440 E william.bushby@adbioresources.org

Our Biomethane to Grid Working Group met at the end of March and began by discussing technical issues, including the upcoming CV measurement consultation and propane enrichment. The CV measurement consultation has now been published by the Energy Networks Association, on behalf of the Grid Distribution Networks – see ADBA News, p5, for full details. The conclusions of the consultation will be presented to Ofgem, as the regulator will need to approve any change. The group also raised grid capacity issues as a major barrier in some areas, and agreed to look into this further at the next meeting.

Crop Operators to emphasise best practice Our Crop Operators Group met again recently to discuss the key issues affecting the operation and development of crop-based AD. The group is keen to lead work over the coming year to share best practice, and demonstrate the very positive contribution the industry is making to farming, as well as to UK government renewable energy and climate change targets. Members also want to show government and the wider public that they take a responsible approach to managing land for AD crops, and that there are multiple benefits to growing crops for AD. As such, the group agreed to:

© DMT Environmental Technology and Heat and Power Services

Attendees then discussed DECC’s consultation on RHI tariff guarantees. In general, the group supports the idea of tariff guarantees; however, the design needs to be right. Members agreed that when applying for the guarantee, a developer cannot know for certain the annual eligible heat output, so the application process must have a degree of flexibility. It is also important to stress that the idea of separate tariff ‘pots’ for plants without a guarantee should not be created – as the FIT degression mechanism has shown, it is almost impossible to allocate the right resource to each trigger point, which creates unintended consequences and has harmed deployment of renewable capacity.

Finally, the group discussed DfT’s work on biomethane in transport, including the Transport Energy Task Force and the Ricardo AEA study.

• Work quickly towards getting agreement from ADBA member operators to commit themselves and their suppliers to grow crops for AD in accordance with the best practice guidelines launched by ADBA in 2014; • Provide case studies demonstrating the positive impact on wider farm productivity of integrating AD; • Assess how best to report and demonstrate the industry’s contribution to sustainable farming through the data ADBA collects.

In addition, the group will act as a forum for sharing best practice in a number of areas, including plant performance, health & safety, and digestate use. Members will also support our general data collection efforts to ensure high quality information is available for policy development and industry knowledge sharing.

Food Waste Operators discuss European End of Waste At the most recent meeting of our Food Waste Operators Group, there was much debate around research presented by WRAP on food waste capture, showing which interventions in household waste collection schemes are successful in generating higher volumes.

The group also discussed an update on European End of Waste; since the meeting, the Commission has delayed proposals for Europe-wide End of Waste criteria, though these may return in the forthcoming circular economy package (see adbioresources.org for more details). Finally, attendees considered data availability and committed to developing a more comprehensive set of data on operational plants and their capacity/output, to help the industry challenge assumptions from official sources.

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Government & Agency News WAMITAB supports waste industry apprentice scheme A new apprentice scheme for the waste industry has received support from WAMITAB. Due to launch in September 2015, the scheme will see a number of leading waste companies working together. “Whilst full details are still to be shared, we welcome the news that Viridor, FCC, Cory, Veolia and Grundon will be working together to develop a trailblazer apprenticeship for the waste sector,” stated Chris James, WAMITAB Chief Executive. “It is critical that the industry gets behind the initiative to ensure that it is relevant, delivers what employers want and complies with the rigorous standards of the relevant government agencies.” www.wamitab.org.uk

AD vital for future ‘smart cities’, reports GIB AD has been highlighted as one of the top ten vital renewable technologies for smart cities in a recent Green Investment Bank report, ‘Smarter, green cities: ten ways to modernise and improve UK urban infrastructure’.

Shaun Kingsbury, Chief Executive of the UK Green Investment Bank, notes: “Each of the technologies we profile in this report is tried and tested and available to be deployed, at scale, right across the UK, straight away. Taken together they represent an investment opportunity in excess of £25bn over the next five years alone.” www.greeninvestmentbank.com

Review to assess impact and future of GIB The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have commissioned NERA Economic Consulting to conduct a review of the impact of GIB since its inception in 2012 and to evaluate its future role. We have responded, stating that we would like to see the GIB take a wider role and look at ways to fund smaller scale projects on industrial sites and farms. We will keep members updated as the outcomes of the review are revealed. www.greeninvestmentbank.com

info@fmbioenergy.co.uk

www.fmbioenergy.co.uk

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R&D Update AD can deliver 30% of the UK’s household gas demand

S

peakers at our ADBA R&D Forum 2015 (see full review opposite) discussed some of the new feedstocks which may become suitable for AD with technological advances. These include macroalgae (eg seaweed) grown or collected off the coast; microalgae grown using digestate; wetland biomass (reeds) and other high-lignin feedstocks; hydrogen; and organic co-products from advanced agriculture, such as aquaculture and the greenhouse sector. Advanced agriculture in particular has the potential to make use of the waste carbon dioxide, water and heat from biogas combustion, as well as the nutrients and water in digestate to support plant growth, thus increasing yields or reducing conventional input costs. We have therefore revised our assumptions about the amount of methane the industry could produce in a supportive environment, and now believe that 80 TWh of gas is achievable.

For information and advice on our R&D activities, contact our Market Analyst, Ollie More T +44 (0)203 567 0751 E ollie.more@adbioresources.org which in turn can be used with waste carbon dioxide from anaerobic digestion to produce methane. If adopted (the technology already exists), could we increase methane yields per tonne of feedstock from 60 per cent to 90 per cent?

The answer depends on a number of factors, such as the scale at which this technology can be adopted and how the electricity market develops. However, with favourable conditions, it could generate an extra 27 TWh of gas.

Another critical area is whether pre-treatment technologies such as steam explosion, thermal hydrolysis and dry AD can bring high-lignin feedstocks such as straw and garden waste into the market. If so, we have a lot more to offer than has previously been estimated.

© Aqua Enviro

The use of hydrogen in AD has the potential to turn much of the carbon dioxide produced as part of the AD process into more methane. Hydrogen can be produced from the electrolysis of water – splitting H2O into its constituent parts. This is currently uneconomic but some industry experts are expecting the UK to produce, at certain times, more electricity than we are using, due to the amount of wind and solar capacity connecting to the grid. We will therefore have, at certain high supply and low demand periods, very cheap or free electricity. This can then be used for electrolysis to produce hydrogen,

Visit us on stand H301 at UK AD & Biogas 2015

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ADBA R&D Forum 2015 Review A perfect event for stimulating new ideas and collaborations

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ur annual R&D Forum, organised in partnership with the BBSRC NIBB Anaerobic Digestion Network (ADNet) and supported by the KTN, was a lively and fascinating event which, from the very first session, gave voice to a variety of opinions on priority areas for the sector.

Our Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, asked the audience to consider how new feedstocks could change the industry, and other speakers really rose to that challenge, including thinking about how algae could be integrated with AD. Charles Banks provided an excellent overview of the ADNet’s different workstreams, while Chris Goodall of Carbon Commentary delivered some thought-provoking views on the energy market. Chris clearly believes that the electricity market will change over the coming years, making the time at which electricity enters (and is taken off) the network far more critical than it is today. Chris identified a key risk to AD operators in the electricity sector – with increasing levels of solar and wind electricity in the system, will the price of electricity fall, or lose value altogether, at certain times? And could this lead to the end of the baseload Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) currently popular on the market? Chris asked the AD industry

www.ttpumps.com

to reflect on whether more gas storage, battery technology or power-to-gas technology should therefore be considered.

The R&D Forum did not just focus on energy production, however. Many argued that we should be building biorefineries now, with methane for energy just one output, alongside chemicals. Whatever direction the industry takes, delegates were treated to two days of engaging debates, led by real experts in their fields. It’s clear that the UK has a global edge on AD expertise, and the R&D Forum will help us take advantage of that.

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Upcoming Events

www.biodomegasholders.com

www.kirk-asia.com

www.kirk-uk.com

sales@kirk-group.co.uk www.kirk-group.co.uk

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Upcoming Events UK AD & Biogas 2015 1-2 jul 2015

Hall 3, NEC Birmingham

Sponsored by Edina, UK AD & Biogas 2015 will showcase the latest AD technology and services from 250 exhibitors. The event also features a free two-day conference, seminar sessions, one-to-one advice clinics, Famers’ Breakfast Briefings, R&D Hub, Biomethane Vehicle Area and a visit to a local AD plant (30 June).

Last chance to book your stand – contact E jamil.ahad@adbioresources.org T +44 (0)203 176 4414 today. adbioresources.org See p22-23 for full details.

1 July 2015

UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2015 Concourse Suites 1-2, NEC Birmingham

RWM 2015 NEC Birmingham 15-17 Sep 2015

Sep 2015 (TBC)

UK Biomethane & Gas Vehicle Conference 2015 Location tbc

3 Dec 2015

ADBA National Conference 2015 One Great George Street, London

Our fourth annual industry awards will highlight AD innovation and achievement from the past 12 months and simultaneously raise the profile and highlight the benefits of the industry. Join us to celebrate this year’s AD successes. adbioresources.org See p21 for details.

With over 13,000 visitors, RWM is Europe’s leading event for resource efficiency and waste management. www.rwmexhibition.com

Our third UK Biomethane & Gas Vehicle Conference will bring together local authorities, the transport sector and biomethane producers. Hear from organisations already running biomethane fleets, network with key industry contacts, and find out the latest developments in biomethane as a transport fuel, air quality and infrastructure. adbioresources.org

Following the 2015 General Election, the ADBA National Conference will provide the perfect opportunity to assess new government policy and how it will affect the AD sector over the course of the next Parliament. With leading political and industry figures covering topics ranging from food waste collection across the UK, the impact of incoming sustainability criteria rules, biomethane for transport – including future incentives – and the new Circular Economy package from the EU, this event is a must for industry professionals. Also includes an exhibition, networking and Q&A sessions. adbioresources.org

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Membership Matters

ADBA’s Executive Debate Series off to a flying start

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ur first dinner debate, ‘Is it food v fuel or food and fuel?’, concluded that the AD industry needs to move the debate on sustainability and demonstrate that food and fuel production are complementary rather than competing.

Held in central London under the Chatham House Rule, the event brought together farmers, farming bodies, AD operators, academics and NGOs. There was strong consensus that the UK should improve policies around soil protection and enhancement, and that well-managed AD can make a contribution to improving soil quality. Attendees also agreed that the industry needs to work closely with the next government to improve sustainability reporting and ensure it is fit for purpose.

“Future policy for the UK bioenergy sector will be an important issue for the next government, which needs to consider how sustainability should be measured, how to manage competing demands for land, and how to take into account biodiversity and wider environmental goals in any use of land,” said ADBA’s Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton.

‘Should we ban biodegradable waste from incinerators?’ was the topic of our second dinner debate, which saw attendees form a consensus on the

substantial potential of food waste as a vital resource for greener, smarter city designs. Leading representatives from AD operators, waste collection firms, residual waste treatment sites and waste management consultancies discussed whether food waste should be banned from incineration, and the role food waste can play in fuelling the technologies that will support sustainable urban design.

The debate also focused on the best mechanism to move waste up the hierarchy, and how the next government can combine ‘push’ factors, such as food waste collections, with ‘pull’ factors, such as support for biomethane in transport and digestate markets. Local authority budgets are tight, but attendees recognised that well-designed services with weekly food waste collections can reduce the frequency and cost of residual collection, while maintaining a high standard of service to residents.

Charlotte Morton stated: “Currently, only 12 per cent of the estimated 15 million tonnes of UK food and drink waste is recycled through AD. If we were to recycle all inedible food waste, the industry could produce over 9 TWh per year of biomethane – enough green gas to fuel 60 per cent of the UK’s buses. As it evolves, our industry also has the potential to deliver new high-value products such as biochemicals and bioplastics.”

Join ADBA today “ADBA’s Members’ Meeting provided great industry insight for us into the progressive work the association is putting into a growing and interesting sector. The benefit that AD could bring to the waste and renewables market is clear and a growth of 622 per cent during 2014 is astonishing, considering the rate at which the waste market is moving.”

Stuart Minchin, Department Manager – Water & Environment, Matchtech

“ADBA represents our interests to government, keeps us informed of any changes on regulatory matters through their member-only events, and provides numerous opportunities for networking with like-minded professionals. Being part of the only AD specific trade association is beneficial to our business.”

Ben Donaldson, National Sales Manager, Agraferm Technologies AG

Join ADBA, the UK’s biggest AD community.

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“We receive a lot of useful information from ADBA and, for us, the annual UK AD & Biogas exhibition is the best AD event of the year.”

Jørgen Fink, Country Manager, Xergi

Welcome new ADBA members!

Alma CG UK Ltd BiogasJG BV Butlers Services Agri Darchem Engineering Eastern Counties Finance Imspex Diagnostics Ltd M/S F-Thermal Energy Ltd Muntons PLC Red Kite Management Ltd Robert Adams Search & Selection Synertree Ltd United Utilities Total Solutions Ltd Ward Hadaway Wilmeck Ltd Xylem Water Solutions UK Ltd

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Membership Matters

Safety First

By Dr Jane Gilbert, Carbon Clarity www.carbon-clarity.com

Training priorities for the AD industry ADBA has recognised the importance of training for all involved in the AD industry, not only to help improve the sector’s operational track record, but also to support its ongoing development, diversification and profitability. Carbon Clarity has therefore recently carried out a review of training needs on behalf of the association, seeking the views of a number of industry contacts, regulatory bodies and professional organisations.

Overall, an improved framework for promoting training was welcomed by those contacted. Helping operators comply with their legal obligations (in particular health and safety, and environmental permitting) was identified as a training priority, as was managing a stable optimised digester. As sites seek to diversify incoming feedstocks, the latter was viewed as particularly important.

The rapid growth in agricultural AD operations, whose activities generally fall outside of the environmental permitting regime, was also identified as an area that could usefully benefit from targeted training. Newly commissioned plants, in particular, will have significant training needs to help their staff gain the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies.

In general, the courses currently on offer by training providers tend to be aimed at managerial and technically competent employees, leaving a significant gap in training provision for site supervisors and operatives. Again, this is an area where more effective training courses could be developed and promoted.

ADBA has already gone a long way to help formalise training through its skills matrix (in conjunction with CIWM) and proposed training programme by the Training, Safety and Environmental Management Working Group. These provide a sound base from which to communicate training needs to external training providers. As a result of this work, a framework for training has been suggested, which ADBA will be reviewing over the next few months. We look forward to sharing more details with you in the near future.

leaton@seepex.co.uk

sales@seepex.co.uk www.seepex.com adbioresources.org

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Membership Matters Degression and sustainability criteria prove hot topics at post-election Members’ Meeting

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eeping AD on the political agenda was the prime concern at ADBA’s first Members’ Meeting since the General Election. Sponsored by Matchtech and held at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on 12 May, the event saw Charlotte Morton highlight the cost-effectiveness of AD, as well as its non-energy benefits, before outlining the industry’s impressive growth rate over the last five years, revealing: “We are now delivering the electrical equivalent capacity of 454 MW – almost identical to the Wylfa nuclear power plant.” Charlotte was also keen to point out the ways in which AD is benefitting Britain’s agricultural sector, commenting: “AD is complementing and supporting UK farming, providing stability in the face of volatile commodity markets.”

Charlotte’s rousing speech was followed

by Chris Huhne, ADBA’s Strategic Advisor, who provided an invaluable insight into how the new government could impact the future of our sector. “The Conservatives will only give significant support to renewable technologies that provide good value, clean energy,” he asserted. Chris’ evaluation of the cost of AD compared to other renewables concluded that, while AD may appear more expensive at first glance, the cheaper renewables are intermittent.

When storage costs are factored in, AD represents good value and is actually less expensive than both wind and solar. Chris also highlighted the agricultural benefits of AD, adding: “Rural diversification is high on the priority list for any party which represents farming communities.” Chris therefore concluded that, “AD is a Conservative-friendly renewable.”

Our Head of Policy, Matt Hindle, then provided an in-depth presentation on the upcoming FIT Review, confirming that the industry has already exceeded the annual 20 per cent degression trigger for sub-500 kW plants.

The consultation is expected to be launched before Parliament breaks for summer recess, making spring 2016 the most likely time for any new tariffs and structures to be introduced.

ADBA’s new board member, Dr David Greenfield from SOENECS, explained the complex structure of local authorities in England and advised members to fully research their local area to gain the best chance of a successful tender. David was followed by Will Bushby, ADBA’s Policy Officer, who gave an overview of the latest developments regarding the RHI and biomethane, before Ofgem’s James Veaney spoke about the regulator’s consultation on ways to make grid connections easier.

The final speaker was Ofgem’s Senior Policy Manager, Katy Read, who highlighted the complex area of sustainability criteria. The criteria will take effect from 5 October 2015 for both domestic and non-domestic RHI and will apply to all new and existing participants generating heat (or heat and power) from biomass or biogas, as well as those producing biomethane for injection.

Members can read our policy report for a full breakdown of the information that will be required by Ofgem – adbioresources.org/docs/POLICY_REPORT_MAY_2015.pdf To view the presentations from the Members’ Meeting, go to the members’ area at adbioresources.org 42

AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

“As a new ADBA member, I was keen to attend the Members’ Meeting to network and find out more about the sector, in particular how the General Election result will impact on my clients and the industry as a whole.”

Bobby Benson, Robert Adams Search & Selection Ltd

TEAM Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton T + 44 (0)203 176 0503 E charlotte.morton@adbioresources.org PA to Chief Executive, Eleanor Maroussas T +44 (0)203 567 1041 E eleanor.maroussas@adbioresources.org Strategic Advisor, Chris Huhne E chris.huhne@adbioresources.org Head of Policy, Matt Hindle T +44 (0)203 176 0591 E matt.hindle@adbioresources.org Policy Officer, Will Bushby T +44 (0)203 176 5440 E william.bushby@adbioresources.org Market Analyst, Ollie More T +44 (0)203 567 0751 E ollie.more@adbioresources.org PR & Parliamentary Affairs Manager, Derek Sivyer T +44 (0)203 176 5441 E derek.sivyer@adbioresources.org Sales Manager Jamil Ahad T +44 (0)203 176 4414 E jamil.ahad@adbioresources.org Sales Executive, Rachel Fenton T +44 (0)203 176 5418 E rachel.fenton@adbioresources.org Head of Marketing Services, Helen Reddick T +44 (0)203 176 0592 E helen.reddick@adbioresources.org Event Producer, Ed Gavaghan T +44 (0)203 176 4415 E edmund.gavaghan@adbioresources.org Senior Marketing Executive, Vera Litvin T +44 (0)203 176 0590 E vera.litvin@adbioresources.org Senior Marketing Executive, Kelly Oxenham T +44 (0)203 176 5417 E kelly.oxenham@adbioresources.org Marketing Executive, Barbara Landell Mills T +44 (0)203 176 7767 E barbara.landellmills@adbioresources.org Database Marketing Assistant, Andre John T +44 (0)203 567 0769 E andre.john@adbioresources.org Accountant, Amy Pritchard T +44 (0)203 176 6962 E amy.pritchard@adbioresources.org Office Executive, Peter Mackintosh T +44 (0)203 176 0503 E peter.mackintosh@adbioresources.org AD Finance, Bruce Nelson, Director of Compass Renewables T +44 (0)1732 464495 E bruce@compassbusinessfinance.co.uk AD & Bioresources News Managing Editor, Kirsty Sharpe T +44 (0)1920 821873 E kirsty.sharpe@adbioresources.org AD & Bioresources News Editor, Kate O’Reilly T +44 (0)7894 039609 E kate.oreilly@adbioresources.org

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AD & Bioresources News | JUNE 2015

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