Colin Robertson 04 September 2013 Biofuels Series: Anaerobic Digestion

Scottish Biofuel Programme “At the heart of the Programme is the simple yet potent concept of creating bio-energy and sustainable biofuels from low value organic waste and by-products.” simultaneously stimulating social environmental awareness and entrepreneurial drive. Biofuel crops continue to provoke controversy

Convert residues into biofuel Benefits… Convert residues into biofuel through deriving biofuel from biological waste, Deal with waste Reduce energy bills and waste bills New product opportunities – diversification Comply with regulations Make money, save money

Ref: http://wasteawarebusiness.wordpress.com “waste has become a transitional state — a phase — rather than an end-product” Waste hierarchy Biofuel is a highly relevant issue in the promotion of waste-management Zero waste legislation and aims Landfill impact on business costs – and environment Best use of carbon Manage business costs

Scottish Biofuel Programme Create value from residues Support SMEs convert organic residues to valuable biofuels Access experts in several biofuel areas Test feasibility and business case Fund next steps to commercial process Augment business success A network of technologies, solutions and opportunities. create and support new and existing demand within the SME market regarding the business and economic benefits of using biofuels. case studies and pilots so as to create lighthouse projects - exemplars that other businesses can follow and emulate

Programme Partners University of Edinburgh University of Abertay Dundee University of Edinburgh Scottish Association for Marine Science SAC Consulting – a division of SRUC Edinburgh Napier University SAMS: feasibility and viability of producing biofuels from marine biomass - both macroalgal (seaweeds) and microalgal (single celled plants) - as an alternative to production from terrestrial land plants SAC Consult: Agriculture can generate much of the energy it uses and export surplus to other sectors. Reducing carbon is a business opportunity for agriculture. Farm-scale AD - Slurry good as a basic feed stock. Higher energy feedstock required to increase output. Demand for heat will improve project viability Consultancy expertise, such as: analysis of grain and oilseed markets; economics of bio-fuel and energy crops; carbon management; agricultural investment appraisal

Programme Funders Scottish Enterprise Scottish Government European Regional Development Fund Value £1.66M (to 03/15)

Process and Products SME Motivation By-product Characterisation Biofuel/chemicals Carbon capture Heat & power Soil-improver Business benefits Could equally support the supply chain and onward markets A network of technologies, solutions and opportunities.

Biofuel and chemicals feedstock butanol ethanol acetone biodiesel fermentation algae culture Liquid fuels Commodity chemicals Biobutanol production by ABE fermentation also bioethanol and bioacetone Use as transport fuel (and bulk chemical), Mixes well with existing fuels, high energy yield, 25% higher energy per volume than ethanol Easier storage and safer handling, compatible with existing fuel infrastructure. Can be blended with diesel legally recognised as a biofuel by incorporation in the 2009 amendment to the RTFO Can be made from non-food feedstocks Celtic Renewables Bioethanol at Abertay: fuel alcohol fermentation using lignocellulose, and seaweed as feedstocks

Carbon capture Process CO2 Algae culture Process waste water feedstock pyrolysis biochar Biochar The thermal process used to produce biochar from biomass is known as pyrolysis (zero-oxygen 250-800°C) Biochar is a specially designed charcoal which offers a bright future for organic resource management, soil improvement and energy production. It contains a high proportion of extremely stable carbon, and so sustainable production of biochar can be a significant, viable Negative Emissions Technology for mitigating man-made climate change. Algae can be a powerful tool in bioremediation and can be used to treat industrial and municipal wastewater. Algae consume CO2 Soil improver

Heat and Electricity feedstock anaerobic digestion pyrolysis oil & gas biogas Heat and electricity Anaerobic digestion to convert organic residuals into biogas: Microbial dynamics Process modelling and optimisation Feedstock pre-treatment Digestate post-treatment Co-digestion processes Biochar: showed how a system could be configured to maximise either biochar production, electricity output, or heat output, and a life cycle analysis and techno-economic assessment examined carbon abatement potential, and potential revenues under a variety of scenarios.

Soil-improver feedstock anaerobic digestion pyrolysis biochar digestate

Process and Products Decrease costs Generate Revenue SME Motivation By-product Characterisation Biofuel/chemicals Carbon capture Heat & power Soil-improver Business benefits Decrease costs Generate Revenue

How to work with the Programme 1. Advisory Report Technologies Landscape Similarities Fit 2. Characterisation Quantify biofuel from feedstock 3. Development Optimisation Scale-up Business case development Again, can work with supply chain and onward markets to achieve these

Development To add value and insight to projects most-likely to succeed Supported by £70k per annum fund Project specific consultancy More–detailed business case

Case Examples Biochemical methane potential studies Consultancy advice craft brewer organic grower Consultancy advice Food & drink manufacturers Specialised Technical Consultancy Food ingredient manufacturer

Key points Create value from residues Support SMEs convert organic residues to valuable biofuels Access experts in several biofuel areas Test feasibility and business case Fund next steps to commercial process Augment business success You, the audience and your participation in a growing network facilitated by the Programme

Contact Colin Robertson T. 0131 455 3234 M. 07557 458740 Innovation/Business Development Manager T. 0131 455 3234 M. 07557 458740 E. c.robertson@napier.ac.uk W. www.biofuels-scotland.co.uk