September 2009
Farmers interested in the potential of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) can now benefit from a new time-saving 'one-stop-shop' that brings together specialist information about AD in one place.
Until now information has been spread over various different websites. The new web portal http://www.biogas-info.co.uk/ is designed to be a gateway for those new to AD in agriculture, industry or local government and provides help and advice on biogas, digestate and feedstocks.
The site also includes information on planning permission and environmental permits and importantly the available incentives and funding for new AD projects. Farmers will also be able to access the AD cost calculator which will allow them to assess the economics of investing in new AD facilities.
NFU bio-energy policy adviser Ruth Digby said: "This new website has all the information you could possibly want to know about Anaerobic Digestion in one place which is great. What's good is that users can access the relevant information which is useful to them.
"One big plus for our farmer members is the cost calculator tool. This gives a comprehensive overview of the issues farmers interested in AD will need to consider. It not only includes include the capital costs assessment and potential costs and income but it will also give an indication of the land required to use the digestate and gives a sensitivity table to rank the variables that have the greatest impact on business profitability.
"The NFU has a vision for 1,000 on-farm AD plants by 2020 and we firmly believe AD can add value to the agricultural sector, while demonstrating how farmers can provide part of the solution to the problem of climate change."
Notes to editors:
The new website http://www.biogas-info.co.uk/has been developed by NNFCC - the UK's National Centre for renewable materials and technologies, providing independent advice and information to industry, Government and the general public.
· The NFU is a sponsor of the National Non Food Crops Centre and helped provide feedback on the development of the AD portal website
· Funding for the portal has been provided by Defra and DECC.
· Anaerobic Digestion has important benefits for the environment; it can be used to produce local, low carbon energy, as well as helping manage slurries and waste. The digestate produced can be used as a replacement for chemical fertiliser
• AD cost calculator was produced by The Andersons Centre on behalf of the NNFCC
No comments have been made.