Biogas

Biogas ADBA National Conference

The ADBA National Conference 2022, taking place in London on 8 December, will make the business case for anaerobic digestion in ensuring energy and food security for the UK, as well as how it can help decarbonise the country’s transport sector

Faced with the energy crisis currently affecting not just the UK but much of the world, the British government is overlooking the gift that is anaerobic digestion (AD), despite the business case for AD development growing stronger by the day.

This is the context in which the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) will hold its National Conference on 8th December. At its full potential, AD could meet 25 per cent of the UK domestic gas demand and insulate customers from rocketing energy prices, which in turn send the costs to farmers and the food industry spiralling. The price of chemical fertilisers and CO2 have also increased dramatically, which is reflected in higher costs for food produce in the shops.

The AD sector provides a strategic solution to these crises, generating biogas, a biofertiliser (digestate) and bio-CO2 as readily available, homegrown alternatives – and furthermore, they are environmentally friendly.

“Investment in AD offers an immediate answer to the current crises, as the sector is capable of delivering energy and food security for the UK in the short term, while addressing the climate emergency,” says Chris Huhne, former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and now chairman of ADBA.

“Unlike a nuclear reactor, an AD plant can be built within two years. The sector already delivers the equivalent of 42 per cent of the power generated by the UK’s nuclear industry. This could double within a few years.

“Given that we have a new administration in place,” he continues, “this will be a pivotal conference, setting out a roadmap for AD to support the development of a resilient and sustainable economy in the UK at a time of global instability and a clear acceleration of climate change impacts.

“The guardians of the Paris Agreement have concluded AD is the cheapest and most cost-effective way to keep global warming below 2˚C”, he adds. “The UK is a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by 30 per cent against 2020 levels. Treating organic wastes through AD is the most effective way of achieving these – preventing methane from rising into the atmosphere whilst generating bioenergy, biofertilisers and bioCO2. It’s a no brainer.” A solution to the crisis The conference, to be held at One Great George Street in Westminster, London SW1, will make the business case for AD, including how it can deliver a market-led solution to the current crises.

A session looking at energy futures and what needs to happen to unleash the power of biogas will include a presentation by John Baldwin, MD, CNG Services, of the “biomethane ladder” – a biomethanefocussed version of Michael Leibriech’s Clean Hydrogen Ladder and important tool to help grow biomethane as an essential fuel to decarbonise the transport industry.

David McKee, chief technical officer at Bio Capital will also review how AD can close the loops to integrate energy into wider systems such as waste or transport. The conference will additionally report back on COP27, which is set to deliver a pledge on reducing wastes by 50 per cent and call for a Just Nature Transition to align with the Just Energy Transition. In afternoon breakout sessions, the conference will discuss how to bring digestate to market, best practice in AD, AD electricity generators, and the role of Local Authorities in delivering Net Zero growth in the UK. Alongside John Baldwin and David McKee, confirmed speakers include Lord Deben, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee; Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Green New Deal and Energy; Russell Smyth, KPMG; James Richardson, National Infrastructure Committee; Dr Norman Ebner, Oxford Martin’s School; Get a 10 per cent discount on your ticket purchase by inserting GANC10 as the promotion code when registering. Sue Jefferson, Circular Malton and Norton; alongside senior representatives from BioCapital, Air Liquide and other key industry players. L Get a 10 per cent discount on your ticket purchase by inserting GANC10 as the promotion code when registering. FURTHER INFORMATION

www.adbioresources.org

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