| Energy
ADBA launches pioneering AD Certification Scheme
at annual conference
UK trade body the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources
Association (ADBA) has launched its pioneering AD
Certification Scheme at the ADBA National Conference
2017 in London.
he voluntary,
industry-led
scheme is
designed to
support operators
of AD plants,
including those based on farms, to
improve their operational,
environmental, and health and
safety performance, in particular in
terms of energy generation and
digestate quality.
ADBA has developed the
scheme, working closely with
industry stakeholders including
operators, developers,
consultants, suppliers, insurers,
regulators and other trade bodies
related to the sector, who have all
voiced their support for such a
certification process. The National
Farmers’ Union (NFU) and CLA
have contributed to ensuring the
scheme is suitable for farmers who
operate AD plants.
The scheme includes detailed
assessment criteria that will allow
T
third-party certification bodies to
verify the achievement of good
practice at AD plants, and is the
most comprehensive of its type.
The scheme pilot was
completed in September this year,
with one on-farm plant, one food
waste plant, and one on-site plant
for a food manufacturer taking
part.
ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte
Morton said:
“Investing in an AD plant is a
great way for farmers to diversify
their income in the context of
uncertainty over future support
from government post Brexit. AD
offers a treatment option for
organic wastes such as manures,
slurries, and vegetable off-cuts,
producing on-site renewable heat
and power, transport fuel for farm
vehicles, and nutrient-rich
biofertiliser. AD crops also give
farmers a great option for crop
rotation, helping to keep soils
healthy and avoid the spread of
24 | Farming Monthly | January 2018
blackgrass and nematodes.
“ADBA’s new AD Certification
Scheme defines good pr actice
and enables on-farm AD plants to
be recognised as meeting it. A
certification process is essential to
ensuring that regulators, insurers
and investors have confidence in
the scheme, which offers AD
operators a range of financial and
Opportunities for on-
farm renewables
Farmers and landowners who want to find out how
investment in renewable energy technology stacks-up
financially, are being encouraged to visit the Energy
Now Expo on 7 and 8 February 2018.
here are a
number of
current and
future
opportunities for
farmers wishing
to diversify their income stream,”
explains David Jacobmeyer,
director of the Energy Now Expo.
“Energy storage is set to be at
the forefront of the industry in
coming years,” he says. “Since
the last Expo, battery technology
has really taken off, with more
affordable and effective solutions
coming onto the market, which
feature improved efficiency and
reduced unit size.”
David adds that the recent
budget announcement
committing £100m of investment
in the electric vehicle sector,
indicates that farm vehicles of the
future are likely to be powered by
electricity.
“There are targets in place to
remove diesel and petrol vehicles
by 2040. And this, paired with the
fact that 10,000 to 15,000 new
tractors are sold in the UK each
year, means the scope for the
development of electric farm
machinery is huge.”
Carbon challenge presents on-
farm opportunity
Dr Jonathan Scurlock, Chief
Adviser for Renewable Energy
and Climate Change at the NFU,
explains that farmers could play a
significant part in decarbonisation
of the UK’s national heat supply.
“As the voice of British farming,
the NFU has a desire to see
profitable, resilient and diversified
farm businesses through the
transition to Brexit. Management
of energy costs and investment in
clean technology is a key part of
this,” he explains.
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“With dramatic falls in the cost
of solar PV, onshore and offshore
wind, as well as battery energy
storage technology, the prospect
of complete decarbonisation of
the UK's electricity supply is now
in sight.”
However, he adds that there is
still a huge challenge ahead to
decarbonise Britain’s heat supply.
“There’s a requirement for
large amounts of low-carbon gas
to displace natural fossil gas, and
this presents a great opportunity
for farmers and landowners.
“An increased supply of
agricultural feedstocks will be
needed to fuel a growing bio-
based economy, including a
large fleet of biomethane plants
and new processes such as
synthetic gas from biomass.”
As opening speaker and chair
of the keynote session on day
two of the Energy Now Expo on 7
and 8 February in Telford, Dr
Scurlock explains that on-farm
renewables remain an exciting
and fast-moving sector in the
coming year.
“The first electric tractors may
be on sale in Europe as early as
2018, and the escalating energy
demands of battery cars could
create opportunities for farmers
to host charging stations.
“Large vehicles may also
function like mobile storage
batteries, earning income
through ‘vehicle-to-grid’ services,
and allowing access to ultra-low-
cost charging,” he adds.
In addition to Dr Scurlock, over
60 speakers have been
confirmed for the Energy Now
Expo, which will cover a range of
topics focusing on current and
future renewable energy
opportunities for farmers.
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