Last week, Oli, Elham and I went to the UK Anaerobic Digester & Biogas and World Biogas Expo at the NEC. There were approximately 190 businesses displaying their products and services, as well as over 100 speakers, whose presentations ranged from research, current and future technologies to how politics is shaping the biogas industry. The three things that stood out for us during our visit were:
- Listening to other industry experts. Prof. Jerry Murphy, a researcher at the University College Cork and leader of the Biogas Energy Task with the International Energy Agency spoke about the steps in development to increase the sustainability of biogas production. One thing we took away from the speech was the use of seaweed in AD’s to producing biogas.
- The technology that is becoming available to farmers, investors and plant operators. Oli and I met up with Alec and Tel with Aqua Consultants, whom Oli has worked with in the past. Alec told us about his software that is able to give live updates on the operation of your plant and showing where your money is being made or lost. We walked away rather impressed with the program Alec had developed.
- Catching up with our clients. We met with Strutt and Parker who we have been working with to help them claim their RHI on their biomethane injection plants, to talk all things AD. It was great to opportunity for us to touch base and allowed them to ask us for any hints and tips on the industry.
It was interesting for me, as a graduate engineer to walk around the expo and see what is new and changing in the AD and biogas industry, as well as listening to a few experts about their experiences or research.