1. Promoting Micro, Slurry-based,
On-farm AD
(in Wales)
Andy Bull Severn Wye Energy Agency
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

2. Intervention Strategy for Wales AD plant suppliers
Welsh Government, Economic Development, Energy, Animal Health, Agriculture
Academics (Wales AD Centre of Excellence)
NFU, FUW and CLA
Natural Resources Wales
Severn Wye EA (as facilitators)

4. Digesting Cattle Slurry can:
Facilitate better nutrient management
Reduce fertiliser costs
Build better soils
Very significantly reduce GHG emissions
Kill weed seeds and some pathogens
Improve grass yields and reduce the frequency of ploughing/re-seeding
Sequester carbon into the soil
Reduce odour issues for neighbours
Reduce the impact on water courses
Oh – and produce some renewable energy!

5. Almost all current AD plants are bespoke.
We are actively seeking an “off-the-peg” solution that:
Fits a dairy farm of (multiples of) cows
Significantly reduces the current cost of installation
Has low-maintenance costs
Very effectively digests the slurry
Can be easily adapted to fit:
Heat production only
CHP with export to the grid if available
CHP to grid but balancing PV generation
CHP on private wires

6. We are also actively seeking a cluster of dairy farmers that would
like to investigate this model of AD plant installation.
We will work with that cluster to:
Find a suitable technical solution at an appropriate cost
Liaise with regulators to ensure acceptability
Work with WG and others to seek a business model that will work
– this will probably require capital grant payments.
Continue to lobby the Department of Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy to seek compatibility with FiT and RHI.
Ensure that appropriate training is provided
Publicise successes and failures in order that lessons can be learned.

7. Talking with two neighbouring farms in the Gwent Levels
So cow are you doing?
Talking with two neighbouring farms in the Gwent Levels
Working with Planed (LEADER group) in Pembrokeshire
and talking with several farms in SW Wales (high risk TB)
Working with Menter Môn and Snowdonia NP in Gwynedd
and working on clusters (some beef).
Investigating a cluster approach on Anglesey. (low risk TB)

8. If we can get things going in Wales then we can establish a
model for the remainder of the UK.
Our Croatian partners are watching our progress with great interest.
Our Dutch partners are doing great things in this sector already.

9. Training for On-farm AD Plant Owners
Energy Now Event, Telford
Feb 9th – 14.30
Amaya Arias-Garcia
Nick Green of the Environment Agency
Short film to be produced subsequently

10. AgroCycle 3 year research and innovation project – June 2016-2019
To sustainably increase recycling and valorisation of waste from the agri-food sector across the supply chain
€8 million - funded by Horizon 2020 (EU) and Chinese Government
26 partners - from 8 EU countries, China, and Hong Kong
Contact – Lucy Hopwood NNFCC
Copyright © NNFCC 2016

11. Andy Bull: andybiogas@severnwye.org.uk
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.