Bioenergy West Midlands Anaerobic Digestion Event and Site Visit 17th March 2009

1. Setting Up an
Anaerobic Digestion
Project
Lucy Lewis
Innovation Manager
17th March 2009

2. Presentation Agenda
•BiogenGreenfinch
•Basics of anaerobic digestion
•Applications of anaerobic digestion technology
•Where to start & what needs to be addressed;
 objectives
 feedstock
 biogas utilisation
 digestate utilisation
 planning
 permitting
 plant design & technology provider

3. BiogenGreenfinch
• Bringing together the expertise of BIOGEN – UK’s leading AD operator
with Greenfinch – UK’s leading AD technology provider
• British, family business with 30+ years of experience within the AD
industry
• Team of 47 people based at either Milton Ernest and Ludlow
• Capability and capacity to deliver a fully integrated AD solution to the
agricultural, food, waste and water industries and to local authorities
• Responsible for the development of 14 plants to date throughout the
UK

4. Anaerobic digestion: a natural biological process
Biogas
Biomass
Biofertiliser
37oC

5. Biomass
for AD
Livestock Manure Energy Crops
Food Waste Sewage Sludge Glycerol

6. Heat 85%
Biogas
60% CH4 Boiler
40% CO2 15%
Losses
Electricity 38%
Biogas 47%
Heat
CHP
Losses 15%
Biomethane
Biogas Upgrade
CO2, H2S, H2O

7. Biogas
CH4
CO2
Biomass Biofertiliser
AD
(N, P, K, C) (N, P, K,C)

8. Application of AD
Manure Energy Crops
Sewage Biodegradable
Sludge Waste
Reduce Improve Diversion Renewable
Odour Nutrient from Energy
Management Landfill Production

9. Biogas Plant in Kerala

10. Ryegrass Biogas in Shropshire

11. Sewage Sludge Digester

12. Co-Operative Biogas Plant in Denmark

13. Two types of AD plants developing
On-farm Plant
 manure
 farm waste
 energy crops
Commercial Plant
 municipal food waste
 industrial food waste

14. What needs to be addressed?
•Project Objectives
•Feedstock
•Biogas Utilisation
•Digestate Utilisation
•Planning
•Permitting
•Plant design & technology provider
•Finance
•Plant operation

15. What are your project objectives?
•Make money
•Diversification
•Enhance existing slurry management
•Import nutrients
•Energy production
•Self sufficiency
•Green credentials

16. On-farm biogas plants
Southwest Scotland

17. Feedstock
•Type & quantity of feedstock?
 On farm wastes & products
 slurry- how long are animal housed?
 what are the animals bedded on?
 energy crops- do you have sufficient ground to grow in addition to animal feed?
 what is the cost of crop production?
 Imported feedstocks
 ABP?
 availability & seasonality?
 feedstock guarantee & contract?
 cost or gate fee?

18. Biogas Utilisation
•CHP
 Electricity- used on site or exported to the grid?
Price per MWh?
 Heat- is their a use on site or could it be exported?
Price per MWh?
 Tri-generation- production of cooling using surplus heat
 Connection to the national grid- contact DNO.
•Upgrade to biomethane
 connection to gas grid - contract for biomethane, price per MWh
 use as a vehicle fuel

19. Digestate Utilisation
•Where will the digestate be utilised?
 Is there enough land locally?
 How much will the haulage cost?
 When will the digestate be applied?
 What storage is required?
 Is a permit required for its application to land?
 What cost is offset through less requirement for imported fertilisers?

20. Process Design
Feedstock
Process
Digestate
Energy

21. Plant Design & Technology Providers
•Plant design
 Tank design
 shape, material
 Mixing system
 mechanical, gas, liquid recirculation
 Heating
 external / internal
 Digester feeding & discharge
 pump, auger, gravity
 Gas collection
•Budget costs
•Tendering process

22. Planning
•Will you get planning permission?
 AONB, Greenbelt?
•Where should you apply to for planning permission?
 County Planning Authority
 Local Planning Authority
•What should be considered?
 Odour,
 noise,
 vehicle movements,
 proximity to dwellings,
 aesthetic appearance, etc

23. Permitting
•Animal Health Agency
•Environment Agency
•Planning Authority
•Ofgem

24. Finance
•Self finance
•Bank loans
•Joint venture

25. Plant operation & maintenance
•Operate with current labour units
•Employ additional labour units
•Contract our specialist maintenance
•Contract out plant operation & maintenance

26. Conclusion
•Is the project viable & does it meet your objectives?
•Plan carefully
•Do not under estimate the project planning time

27. Thank you