The aim of the Anaerobic Digestion Feasibility Study project is to assess the environmental and economic case for developing an anaerobic digestion facility within Nottingham that would provide a sustainable waste processing plant for the City with the potential to reduce its carbon emissions.
The study will be undertaken over a six month period by EnviroEnergy with the support of Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Primary Care Trust, and will result in the production of a fully costed plan for the development of anaerobic digestion facility for Nottingham.
The main elements of the feasibility study will include:
- A desktop study of existing knowledge regarding anaerobic digesters and their role in processing food waste as applicable to the need of Nottingham as a core city.
- A detailed assessment of the technical specifications of the anaerobic digestion plant: required inputs, potential outputs, scale, necessary storage facilities, contingency planning and risk.
- An assessment of the planning implications and legal issues as related to licences, current linked contracts, etc.
- An investigation into whether biogas produced from an anaerobic digester can be piped direct to London Road for use in the gas CHP that serves the district heating network.
- The potential to use gas for vehicle fuel if the anaerobic digester can be sited at the Eastcroft depot.
- An analysis of the potential future options of pumping gas directly into the mains in terms of the current and likely future economic implications of undertaking this option.
- An investigation into any issues surrounding the siting of any anaerobic digester and potential environmental impacts and constraints.
- A carbon mass balance appraisal of CO2 emissions to look specifically into potential carbon emission savings and the maximisation of this.
- An investigation into whether the production of biomass related electricity will qualify for double funding under the renewables obligation.
- An investigation into the potential impact on EnviroEnergy of being able to access local energy sources rather than grid gas.
To undertake the feasibility study, the GNP will provide EnviroEnergy with £16,600 of Single Programme funding.
