Bioresources to Land: Managing Nutrients to Complete the Cycle

We thought that readers of this blog, especially those that are farmers and several of whom have approached us already at the anaerobic digestion uk web site with concerns to know how adopting Anaerobic Digestion might change plant nutrients in the receiving soils, would be likely to be interested in this conference. I am also informed that Defra also has research in progress on this subject.

To others who might wonder why this subject is of such interest to those operating or planning to operate bio-digesters, the concern to be addressed is that by using AD the farm might be losing soil nutrient quality somehow. It is clearly of great importance that the soils scientists can confirm that there are no unanticipated negative effects of interceding any new biological process into farming which if found later might jeopardise the continued use of the AD, or any other composting process.

Date and Venue: 15th October 2008, The Royal Academy of Engineering, London


This intensive one-day conference, organised on behalf of the Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership, has been designed to provide a forum and opportunity to consider and discuss the significant technical and regulatory developments that have occurred recently concerning the management and recycling of nutrients applied to agricultural land in bioresources. Expert speakers have been invited to talk on the key areas and developments affecting the recycling of nutrients to land in bioresources. These cover policy and strategic issues, the agronomic properties of bioresources and their management as effective fertiliser replacements.

Please find attached the full programme and booking form for the above conference. You can also register online at http://www.aqua-enviro.net/calendar_detail.asp?id=120


Speakers Include:


· Jiggy Lloyd, Associate, Green Alliance

· Peter Dampney, ADAS

· Michael Payne, adviser to the NFU

· Prof Brian Chambers, Senior Principal Scientist, ADAS & Dr David Chadwick, Principal Researcher, IGER

· Dr Stephen R Smith, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

· Bryan Lewens, Andigestion Ltd

· Dr Neil McIntyre, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

· Dr Paul Withers, ADAS

· Diane Mitchell, Chief Environment Adviser, NFU

· Professor Keith Goulding, Head of Department of Soil Science, Rothamsted Research

· Dr Fiona Nicholson, ADAS

Chairmen:

· Chris Ryder, Head of Water Quality Division, Defra

· Andrew Clark, Head Policy Services, NFU


Sponsorship Opportunities:

If you are interested in sponsoring this event and/or if you would like to book an exhibition space please contact Rachel on Tel. 01924 257891 or email rachelwilliamson[at]aquaenviro.co.uk.

Note: While we have suggested that this conference may provide information on a subject it is the responsibility of our readers to verify such, and only to book after having satisfied themselves of the content by reference to the organisers information. All information is provided without accepting any liability whatsoever.

Bioresources to Land: Managing Nutrients to Complete the Cycle

We thought that readers of this blog, especially those that are farmers and several of whom have approached me already at the anaerobic digestion uk web site with concerns to know how adopting Anaerobic Digestion might change plant nutrients in the receiving soils, would be likely to be interested in this conference. I am also informed that Defra also has research in progress on this subject.

To others who might wonder why this subject is of such interest to those operating or planning to operate bio-digesters, the concern to be addressed is that by using AD the farm might be losing soil nutrient quality somehow. It is clearly of great importance that the soils scientists can confirm that there are no unanticipated negative effects of interceding any new biological process into farming which if found later might jeopardise the continued use of the AD, or any other composting process.

Date and Venue: 15th October 2008, The Royal Academy of Engineering, London


Please find attached the full programme and booking form for the above conference. You can also register online at http://www.aqua-enviro.net/calendar_detail.asp?id=120


Speakers Include:


· Jiggy Lloyd, Associate, Green Alliance

· Peter Dampney, ADAS

· Michael Payne, adviser to the NFU

· Prof Brian Chambers, Senior Principal Scientist, ADAS & Dr David Chadwick, Principal Researcher, IGER

· Dr Stephen R Smith, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

· Bryan Lewens, Andigestion Ltd

· Dr Neil McIntyre, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London

· Dr Paul Withers, ADAS

· Diane Mitchell, Chief Environment Adviser, NFU

· Professor Keith Goulding, Head of Department of Soil Science, Rothamsted Research

· Dr Fiona Nicholson, ADAS

Chairmen:

· Chris Ryder, Head of Water Quality Division, Defra

· Andrew Clark, Head Policy Services, NFU


Sponsorship Opportunities:

If you are interested in sponsoring this event and/or if you would like to book an exhibition space please contact Rachel on Tel. 01924 257891 or email rachelwilliamson[at]aquaenviro.co.uk.

Note: While we have suggested that this conference may provide information on a subject it is the responsibility of our readers to verify such, and only to book after having satisfied themselves of the content by reference to the organisers information. All information is provided without accepting any liability whatsoever.

Wales Implementing More Separate Food Waste Collection

The whole of Wales has succeeeded in achieving all the waste targets which have been set for this year, however the targets are raised every year so it is always necessary for additional recycling to be achieved year on year.

Separate food waste collection will enable greater use of anaerobic digestion. Therefore, it is good news to hear of separate food waste collection schemes being started.

On 1st September, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson said:

As a nation we need to reduce the amount of waste that we send to landfill as this is the least sustainable method of managing our waste.

We need concerted effort by everyone, both householders and businesses to achieve more recycling and less landfill.

She said Local Authorities in Wales now need to look at ways of recycling food waste.

Food waste is an area of great potential and exploiting this will be essential if we are to continue increasing the amount of waste we recycle and divert from landfill.

Earlier this year, Local Authorities were given an extra £15 million in recycling grants which they were strongly advised to use to prepare for the separate collection and treatment of food waste.

Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Merthyr, Carmarthenshire, RCT, Bridgend and Swansea have already started to introduce food waste collection service.

Cardiff, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Wrexham, and Blaenau Gwent are planning to start collections later this year or early next year.

More here...

Landfill Gas is Used to Make biomethane Vehicle Fuel

In a first for Europe, waste company Sita is using landfill gas at one of its sites in Surrey to make a transport fuel - liquid biomethane.

Landfill gas is being used to make liquid biomethane for use as a vehicle fuel - the first time it has been used like this in Europe.

Waste firm Sita and technology provider Gasrec are in the final stages of commissioning plant at Sita's Albury landfill site in Surrey. The landfill produces some 2,500m3 of landfill gas per hour, and this will be used to make 5,000 tonnes of biomethane - enough to power 150 heavy goods vehicles.

The plant works by dewatering the landfill gas, then removing hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The remaining methane, about 95% pure, is liquefied. According to Richard Lilleystone, Gasrec's chief executive, the resulting liquid biomethane cuts CO2 emissions by 70% compared to diesel, particulates by 90% and SO2 by 50%. The fuel is also around 30% cheaper.

The fuel is being used by Sita, haulage firm Hardstaff Group, as well as Sainsbury's in one of its delivery trucks. It is also being trialled by waste company Veolia in a street cleaning vehicle in Camden, north London, to assess its performance in urban areas. All users have their own refuelling infrastructure at depots.

According to Stuart Hayward-Higham, Sita's head of business development, the firm decided to develop the plant as the economic future for electricity from landfill gas is uncertain. "There are many ways of making electricity, many of which are better than waste," he said. From next April, electricity from landfill gas will only receive 0.25 renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) per megawatt hour of electricity generated. This compares to the current 1 ROC.

Using landfill gas to make transport fuel rather than electricity also offers a significantly larger reduction in CO2 emissions, says the Renewable Energy Association.

ENDS Report

403, August 2008, p 25 © 2008 Haymarket Business Media