Anaerobic Digestion

 

What is Anaerobic Digestion (AD)?

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a sub-division of the RE science referred to as ‘Biomass’.

AD is the conversion into biogas and digestate, through natural decomposition by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen, of any non-woody organic material.  The favoured organic wastes found on farms include animal manure, silage, dairy washings, spoilt animal feed (or grain), to name but a few with each material having a unique biogas yield potential.   Uses of biogas include:

  • Fuel to drive Combined Heat & Power (CHP) engines providing electricity and heat (circa 80% combined efficiency)
  • Fuel for boilers providing heat only (90% efficiency)
  • Further processing, including compression to produce biomethane for use as a vehicle fuel (immature technology in the UK)
  • Further processing to produce grid-quality biomethane that is injected into the national gas grid (a new concept to the UK gas industry)

Useful links for Anaerobic Digestion;

DEFRA AD information source:  http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/ad/

National Non-Foods Crop Centre (NNFCC): http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/metadot/index.pl?id=0

The official AD site of the NNFCC: http://www.biogas-info.co.uk/

A Detailed Economic Assessment of Anaerobic Digestion Technology and its Suitability to UK Farming and Waste Systems 2nd Edition (Andersons): http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/metadot/index.pl?id=7198&isa=DBRow&field_name=file&op=download_file

The DEFRA NVZ portal: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/water/waterquality/diffuse/nitrate/index.htm

Renewable Energy Concepts portal: http://www.renewable-energy-concepts.com/english/green-energy-concepts.html

ODPM Planning & Policy Statement 1 – Delivering Sustainable Development: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/planningpolicystatement1

ODPM Planning & Policy Statement 7 – Sustainable Development in Rural areas: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147402.pdf

The Carbon trust: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx

General planning advice can be found at: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/

Interactive householders guide: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html

Department of Energy & Climate Change: http://www.decc.gov.uk/default.aspx

Environment Agency: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

DEFRA: http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/