Member Article

Innovative AD Event comes to the region

The EEIF in conjunction with its partners Envirolink UK, are proud to announce a new and innovative event featuring AD which will be held at Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland on 29th May 2012 (Day 1), with site visits on Day 2 (30th May) to either Cockle Park, Morpeth or the ADDC at Wilton.

This event, a partnership between the EEIF and Envirolink aims to explore the opportunities available to a range of organisations, including private businesses, farmers, developers and supply chain companies in North East England from the development of AD. It aims to assist in overcoming barriers to developing an AD plant and to showcase a range of industries that can take advantage of this expanding sector, particularly the food and drink, distilling and farming sectors.

In 2010, the Coalition Government made a commitment to work towards a ‘zero waste’ economy – part of which involved the introduction of a number of measures to increase energy from waste through anaerobic digestion (AD). AD is a technology that offers a wide range of benefits to a wide range of organisations. It can be developed as a waste disposal option or as a source of renewable energy and it is flexible enough to be tailored to almost every individual requirement, large or small.

Whilst AD in the North East is widely underdeveloped a range of exploitable opportunities exist for local authorities, food and drink manufacturers and farmers alike. Over 230 food and drink companies are located in the region including several large household names such as Nestle, Greggs, International Cuisine, KP Snacks, Sharwoods, Ringtons, Walkers Crisps and Twinings. Together the sector is estimated to produce 85,000 tonnes per year representing numerous opportunities for these companies.

EnvirolinkUK, a not for profit company are the business support organisation for the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector in North West England. Collaborating with suppliers, end-users, research institutes and funders Envirolink facilitate the development and uptake of innovative low carbon and environmental technologies.

Speakers confirmed for this event include: NNFCC, Newcastle University, Grant Thornton, Projen PLC, Semple Fraser LLP, QR GAs, Emerald Biogas.

Day 1 will be held at Longhirst Hall, Morpeth and will feature presentations from a diverse and innovative range of speakers and interactive workshops on subjects including funding, feedstocks, digestate, planning issues etc.

Day 2 will feature a choice of morning visits:

(i) Cockle Park Farm, Morpeth – state of the art AD demonstration facility (funded via Newcastle University) which uses slurry form the dairy, beef and pig herds and will utilise energy crops and food residues from neighbouring businesses

(ii) Anaerobic Digestion Development Centre (ADDC), Wilton, Redcar – the ADDC is an open access facility where companies test and develop novel feedstock and technology combinations, with the aim of providing the UK with a base to advance and develop new commercially viable processes and intellectual property in the area of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) technology.

Further information via: www.envirolink.co.uk or www.eeif.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nikki Silcock .