| Energy
Experience the benefits
of the AgBag system
There are significant advantages to be had by utilising
AgBag for stored materials.
ll oxygen is
excluded within 7
minutes when
using the AgBag
system, which
results in high
quality feedstock and very low
losses of nutrients and energy. In
cases where the cost of the forage
is high, the low losses in the AgBag
contribute to an overall reduction in
costs. Bagging before combustion
(or bio-drying) actually dries and
conserves the nutrients - biomass
will burn more efficiently if allowed
to dry. Using a patented aeration
system, the air in the AgBag is
effectively controlled to ensure the
quality of the stored material. This
also has the added advantage of
eliminating odour problems.
The AgBag machine consists of
3 functional components – the feed
table; the rotor and the tunnel with
bag attachment. The compaction is
indirectly created through the
continuous input of material
through the rotor into the bag,
against the machine’s braking
system. One person is required to
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operate the machine – a truck or
trailer is required for filling the
machine. After the bags have been
filled, they are immediately sealed
and covered with protection nets.
There is no need to cover with
plastic film or weighing down with
sandbags or tyres, as with a
conventional silo.
The quality of biomass stored in
AgBags has been found to be very
high. The reasons for low level
losses during the fermentation
process, are due to the rate at
which the AgBags are filled and the
aggressive mechanical treatment
with total sealing of the contents
during the storage period.
When managing a biomass
digester or biomass boiler, flexibility
is of the utmost importance. Prices
for substrates influence the
decision for the particular raw
materials. Being able to take any
feedstock that becomes available at
an advantageous price is one way
to increase profit margins that
AgBag users have been able to
take advantage of.
New deal announced to
use British steel in
local wind farms
RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables are today
welcoming the announcement by Liberty House Group
that it has bought a British plant to make wind turbine
towers using local steel.
he plant’s
equipment will
be used in a
new British
manufacturing
centre to supply
the country’s leading offshore
wind market and in the
emerging tidal lagoon power
industry.
The news is the latest in
Liberty House’s ‘Green Steel’
initiative. Recently, it announced
it will restart production at two
Scottish steel plants, Dalzell and
Clydebridge, to make onshore
and offshore wind turbine
towers.
RenewableUK’s Chief
Executive, Hugh McNeal, said:
T
“This is great news and
shows how the renewable
industry can provide a market
for steel produced in Britain. The
growth of renewables in the UK
is a huge opportunity for British
businesses, as high demand for
quality steel has increased”
Jenny Hogan, Director of
Policy at Scottish Renewables,
said:
“Renewable energy already
supports 21,000 Scottish jobs,
and it’s good news that a
number of those employed at
steel-works in Motherwell and
Cambuslang could soon be
joining the industry’s supply
chain.”
July 2016 | Farming Monthly | 33