EA official wins AD hero of the year

The awards, run by the Anaerobic Digestion & Biogas Association (ADBA), also saw Environment Agency officer Howard Leberman win the AD Hero of the Year Award.

The Awards were presented at a dinner held yesterday evening during the two day AD exhibition and conference run by the Association at Birmingham NEC.

Presenter for the evening was Peter Jones OBE, who highlighted the importance of AD as making excellent use of feedstock and contributing to energy production.

Recognition

Welcoming guests and association members to the dinner Charlotte Morton, chief executive of ADBA, highlighted the growth in the sector and declared that there is far more recognition today of the role AD plays in the circular economy and the part it plays in the decarbonisation of farming and transport.

AD is a hugely flexible technology which integrates in various sectors and is a unique form of renewable energy. We are building a world class industry.

The chief executive also praised the winners and finalists: Weve had entries and winners from projects of all scales and sizes across farming, the food industry, water companies, local authorities and more, and the judges had an enormously difficult job in choosing the winners. Congratulations to all of them.

Barfoots of Botley runs an onsite AD plant which offers a self-sufficient energy supply, with the added advantage of using 100% of the green waste from the farm. The plant has achieved PAS110 certification for its liquid digestate, the use of which has provided a closed-loop cycle of sustainability.

Howard Leberman, senior advisor for site-based regulation at the Environment Agency, the AD Hero of the Year winner, was recognised for taking an incredibly pro-active approach to working with the AD industry. This included his efforts to simplify the planning regime, helping to reduce costs for developers and providing supporting guidance.

Presented for the first time this year, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr Clare Lukehurst of Task 37 (UK). Dr Lukehurst was described as an indefatigable promoter, defender and advisor on AD.

The 2013 winners are:

• Outstanding use of land through integration of AD – Malaby Biogas: Bore Hill Farm Biodigester

• Innovation in sewage treatment through AD – Monsal

• Innovation in food waste collection, sponsored by Tamar Energy – Spirit Pub Company

• Best integration of AD into a farming business, sponsored by Vogelsang – J F Temple and Son

• Best integration of AD into a food and drink business, sponsored by Agraferm Technologies – The North British Distillery Co Ltd and HydroThane UK: Edinburgh Distillery

• Innovation in process efficiency/optimisation, sponsored by Imtech Water, Waste and Energy – BDI BioEnergy International AG

• Making the most of digestate – Zebec Biogas

• Making the most of Biogas – Joint winners: Heat and Power Services and DMT Scotia Gas Networks with JV Energen

• Best AD project, sponsored by Fernbrook Bio – Barfoots of Botley

• AD hero or team of the year, sponsored by the National Skills Academy – Howard Leberman, Environment Agency

• New award: lifetime achievement – Dr Clare Lukehurst, Task 37 (UK)

For the full list of finalists, see: 2013 awards finalists