17th March 2009

Setting Up an

Anaerobic Digestion

Project

Lucy Lewis

Innovation Manager

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

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

Anaerobic digestion: a natural biological process

BiomassBiofertiliser

37oC

Biogas

Biomass

for AD

Livestock Manure

Food Waste

Energy Crops

Sewage Sludge Glycerol

Biogas Upgrade

Biomethane

CO2, H2S, H2O

Biogas

60% CH4

40% CO2

Boiler

15%

Heat

Losses

85%

Biogas CHP

38%

47%

Electricity

Heat

Losses 15%

Biomass

(N, P, K, C)

Biofertiliser

(N, P, K,C)

Biogas

CH4

CO2

AD

Application of AD

Manure Sewage

Sludge

Biodegradable

Waste

Energy Crops

Reduce

Odour

Improve

Nutrient

Management

Diversion

from

Landfill

Renewable

Energy

Production

Biogas Plant in Kerala

Ryegrass Biogas in Shropshire

Sewage Sludge Digester

Co-Operative Biogas Plant in Denmark

Two types of AD plants developing

On-farm Plant

manure

farm waste

energy crops

Commercial Plant

municipal food waste

industrial food waste

What needs to be addressed?

•Project Objectives

•Feedstock

•Biogas Utilisation

•Digestate Utilisation

•Planning

•Permitting

•Plant design & technology provider

•Finance

•Plant operation

What are your project objectives?

•Make money

•Diversification

•Enhance existing slurry management

•Import nutrients

•Energy production

•Self sufficiency

•Green credentials

On-farm biogas plants

Southwest Scotland

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?

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

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?

Feedstock

Energy Digestate

Process

Process Design

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

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

Permitting

•Animal Health Agency

•Environment Agency

•Planning Authority

•Ofgem

Finance

•Self finance

•Bank loans

•Joint venture

Plant operation & maintenance

•Operate with current labour units

•Employ additional labour units

•Contract our specialist maintenance

•Contract out plant operation & maintenance

Conclusion

•Is the project viable & does it meet your objectives?

•Plan carefully

•Do not under estimate the project planning time

Thank you