Anaerobic Digestion

Community Energy Scotland has assisted a number of communities to take forward feasibility studies examining the potential for Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities to be established in local communities.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a biological process . It involves the digestion of organic matter (feedstock) in an anaerobic (oxygen free) environment with the release of biogas (methane gas) and the production of a nutrient rich biofertiliser (digestate).  

ScottishAD siteThe biogas collected as a result can be used to provide renewable heat and electricity, and increasingly is being used as a fuel for transport.  A number of site visits have been organised to existing AD plants and drawn in expert advice where required. 

The types of material (feedstock) that can be used in an AD plant include agricultural materials; farm slurry, rye grass, maize, and food processing materials; waste dairy, meat processing and also food waste from catering and domestic collections.

AD has the potential to really enhance the sustainability of many Scottish communities by:

  • helping tackle the carbon footprint of dealing with waste
  • extracting energy for heating, transport or electricity production
  • producing a nutrient rich locally sourced fertiliser
  • generating an income, by accessing RHI and FiT incentives.

Ongoing and tailored support

Community Energy Scotland has worked with national organisation Zero Waste Scotland to deliver a training day and site visit to Deerdykes operational AD plant near Cumbernauld recently.  Community Energy Scotland will continue to work with  Zero Waste Scotland to ensure that relevant information and training on AD is made available to communities.

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