Pilot project to deliver renewable gas direct to grid

The pilot project, based at United Utilities’ wastewater processing plant at Davyhulme in Manchester, will upgrade the biogas that is produced when wastewater sludge is broken down by the process known as anaerobic digestion, removing the CO2 and trace elements to leave biomethane. It will then condition the gas with propane and oderants before injecting it into the grid.

“Renewable electricity from sources such as wind power is already available, but this is the first time we will be able to supply renewable gas to consumers,” said Janine Freeman, head of National Grid’s Sustainable Gas Group. “This pilot is an important step in helping deliver a low carbon energy future.”

“Not only are we reusing a waste product, but biomethane is a renewable fuel, so we are helping to meet the country’s target of 15 per cent of all our energy coming from renewable sources by 2020.”

The pilot project, which should be operational by early 2011, will produce enough biogas for around 500 homes – though it is claimed that a plant the size of Davyhulme would eventually be able to supply a small town of around 5,000 homes. The pilot will also provide enough fuel to power 24 of United Utilities’ sludge tankers.

The Davyhulme project was one of five to win funding from Defra last week under its Anaerobic Digestion Demonstration Programme, part of wider plans to tackle food waste and packaging. In all, there is £10 million of Defra funding, coming via WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), up for grabs.

How the money is to be distributed between the five projects has yet to be agreed. But the fact that they are to receive a share, has been enough for United Utilities and National Grid to announce today that their joint project has got the “greenlight”.

Caroline Ashton, United Utilities biofuels manager, said: ”The team is thrilled to have won this funding which will give the project a huge boost. It has been in development for some time, but now we can put our plans into action.”

To meet the conditions of the grant, the new installation at Davyhulme will be used as a demonstration plant for engineers and politicians to visit from around the world.

Dr Richard Swannell, director of retail and organics at WRAP, said: “The United Utilities’ project was chosen because it will demonstrate cutting edge technology, helping to drive the effective use of anaerobic digestion.”

A report published by National Grid earlier this year suggested that biogas could eventually supply up to half of the UK’s domestic gas needs. In particular, the report said that biodegradable waste streams could help meet the UK Government’s renewable energy targets for 2020, if turned into biomethane and pumped straight into the UK’s existing gas grid. The Davyhulme project is a chance to test this theory.

A spokesperson for National Grid said the demonstration project with United Utilities would test the feasibility of a wide-scale roll-out, although National Grid is not actively considering any other sites at the moment.

Sharing the £10 million with the Davyhulme project are Biocycle South Shropshire, Blackmore Vale Dairies, GWE Biogas Ltd and Staples Vegetables.

Commenting on the five pilots chosen, Liz Goodwin, WRAP’s ceo said: "These projects are truly ground-breaking and will be used to show how cutting edge technology can work in practice. Between them, they demonstrate how anaerobic digestion can help the UK efficiently meet the challenges of reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewable energy generation and improving sustainable food production."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn added:“These first five projects will show other British businesses the benefits and possibilities of anaerobic digestion and help us become world leaders in this exciting new technology.”

All five demonstration projects are due to be built between now and March 2011.