Biogas

Biogas, from biological or thermo-chemical conversion, can be used to generate heat, power or transport fuels. The market is dynamic and the technology is complex, but the potential is significant. A complex matrix of policies and regulations are prevalent in this sector. We help navigate the complexities and have developed a number of bespoke products and packages for this sector. 

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is currently the most common production method of biogas. ​AD is a biological process which involves the breakdown and fermentation of organic matter by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. Biogas is produced, which comprises mainly  methane (~60%) and carbon dioxide (~40%). A variety of feedstocks can be used to produce biogas through AD, including plant biomass (crops and residues), manure/slurry, food waste, sewage sludge and industrial residues from food and drink production. The co-product of biogas production through AD is digestate, ​a nutrient rich mass, which is used as a bio-fertiliser, to apply Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium back to land for agricultural production. 

Gasification

Alternatively, gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts solid biomass feedstocks such as wood and waste into carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This is achieved by reacting the material at high temperatures (>700 °C), without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam. The resulting gas mixture is called syngas (from synthesis gas or synthetic gas) or producer gas. Currently, there are only a handful of gasification facilities in the UK, but deployment is incentivised by the Goverment and is predicted to grow in the coming years.

Renewable Energy

Biogas is playing a key role in developing a low carbon economy in its use as a renewable energy source. Biogas can be used to produce heat and electricity through direct combustion in a CHP engine. Or it can be upgraded to purified methane, ​by removing carbon dioxide, and either injected into the national grid to heat homes, converted into a transport fuel, or become a feedstock for a range of chemicals.

Policy and Incentives

Several regulations and financial incentives apply to biogas production in the UK including the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for electricity. Also, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) supports heat production from biogas combustion and biomethane injection to the grid.

NNFCC Support 

NNFCC has acquired considerable experience over the years while working with the European Commission and National Governments; policy makers; developers; suppliers; and buyers to develop, implement and adhere to robust policies and regulations across the entire bioeconomy.

We have worked with industry to obtain evidence to inform policy decisions; and supported power generators, technology developers and product manufacturers in understanding the impacts of policy on their value chains, processes and outputs.

NNFCC monitors the AD Deployment in the UK, tracking operational and planned developments and reporting progress, barriers and trends to the industry and policy makers on a regular basis. This unrivalled market knowledge sets us in a unique position to advise on strategic business planning activities, future market direction and new development opportunities.  

NNFCC also hosts the Official AD Information Portal (www.biogas-info.co.uk) and played a pivotal role in the development of the AD Strategy & Action Plan in 2011. 

NNFCC projects

Below is a list of relevant projects NNFCC has delivered in this sector. 

For reports and our monthly review of news from the biogas sector, see our publications store.