UKs first small scale commercial AD system launched
The small-scale treatment plants are capable of handling between 3,000 and 5,000 tonnes of food waste per year, and are being rolled out across the country, following trials treating waste on behalf of Carmarthenshire council and HRH Prince Charles estate in South Wales.
Potential users can allow Burdens to operate the plant on site, with the organics firm profiting from biogas production, or the technology can be purchased for a cost estimated to be between 850,000 to 2million.
Will Kirkman, Head of Environmental Projects at Burdens, said: We have set out to make small scale food waste treatment financially possible. There are a lot of misconceptions about the viability and benefits of reducing the size of AD plants to such a small scale.
To date this has held back this sector of the market and arguably the recycling of food waste in the UK as larger planned facilities have often been stifled by breakdowns in contract negotiations, the inability to secure reliable feedstocks and planning requirements.”
REA wins 60,000 EU funding to train UK AD sector
The organisation representing the UKs renewables sector the Renewable Energy Association (REA) – has secured EU funding worth more than 60,000 to train young people looking to work in the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector.
The funding, awarded by the EUs Leonardo programme, will pay for 30 UK professionals and graduates to visit Germany to learn from some of the countrys leading AD operators.
It is hoped that the scheme, which is being run in partnership with the German Biogas and Bioenergy Society will help young people looking to develop a hands on career in green technology.
REA head of biogas David Collins, said: This course represents a unique learning opportunity not currently available in the UK. The UK AD industry being still in development, companies have to guard their technical knowledge closely to maintain early-stage competitiveness.
The German industry, with 20 years experience and 7,000 plants, is in a better position to be able share this valuable knowledge with current and aspiring biogas professionals.
The scheme starts in September this year and will run until May 2014. Applications will formally open on the REA website next week.
SELCHP awards funding to five community projects
More than 14,000 has been awarded to community projects in South London thanks to Veolia Environmental Services SELCHP energy recovery facility in Deptford.
The SELCHP Community Fund, founded in 1994, has helped over 195 projects in and around the immediate area of the facility, with donations totalling in excess of 250,000.
Five local community projects were given donations ranging from 1,500 to over 3,830 at a ceremony on July 18.
Graham Ross, general manager for SELCHP, said: At SELCHP we are proud to continue to support well deserving projects in the local area. The local organisations and schools that receive funding make a positive difference in their local community. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage other local projects to apply.
Councillor goes on fact-finding mission at Veolia EfW
Leader of Staffordshire county council Philip Atkins has visited the Four Ashes energy-from-waste facility, currently being developed by Veolia Environmental Services, to assess the progress of the plant.
Four Ashes is being built as part of Veolias 25-year PFI contract with the council, thought to be worth over 250 million. The 300,000 tonne per year facility will supply enough power for 32,000 homes once complete.
Councillor Atkins said: I am delighted with the progress so far and we are well on track to realising our 250m savings through the new facility. The site visit will give us the chance to see for ourselves the progress.
The development of the new plant is all part of our ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ strategy, which is tackling head on the growing problem of domestic waste. We are dedicated to maximising recycling first, and then recovering energy from the leftover residual waste.
The project is also central to our drive to protect tax payers and residents from the rising environmental and financial costs of landfill.
Ince Park incinerator gets preliminary CHP assurance
Energy-from-Waste firm Covanta Energy has received preliminary accreditation under the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) for its proposed 600,000 tonne EfW plant at the Ince Park development in Cheshire.
The CHPQA scheme has been set up by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to assess the quality of CHP schemes under development in the UK.
Covanta has received dual accreditation under the scheme, which means that the facility is eligible for Renewables Obligations Certificate funding. Covanta is working to have full accreditation in place by the end of the year.
Malcolm Chilton, managing director of Covanta Energy, said: This is a landmark step for Covantas operations in the UK and for our flagship project, Ince Park which will make a substantial contribution to increasing renewable energy supply.
Achieving preliminary CHPQA accreditation for the Ince EfW facility is another step towards delivering the project which will not only create renewable energy but also boost the North Wests economy through job creation.
Construction of the 100-hectare Ince Park site at Ince Marshes on the edge of the Manchester canal is set to commence in late 2012, and when completed will be the largest Eco Park in the UK.
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