Accelerating the Uptake of Anaerobic Digestion in England: an Implementation Plan
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Implementation Plan" was published by Defra on 25th March 2010. The
Implementation Plan provides a framework for action by Government and
stakeholders to facilitate the uptake of anaerobic digestion in
England. The plan is based on the recommendations of the Anaerobic
Digestion Task Group. The plan includes further actions that have been
set in motion since the publication of the Task Group report.
The plan is broken down into the following sections:
Our Ambitions for Anaerobic Digestion: The report begins with an
overview of the potential of anaerobic digestion, with ambitions of
collaboration between the Public and Private Sectors. This section
also examines the role of anaerobic digestion in contributing towards
the challenges faced by climate change, energy security and reducing
waste, whilst utilising sustainable sources of biomass.
Creating the Economic Framework: The Government's objective is to
ensure that the most appropriate long-term economic framework is in
place to allow the market to deliver the increase required in
renewable energy. Key actions include:
-implementing financial incentives such as Renewables Obligation
Certificates, Feed-in Tariffs, Renewable Heat Incentive and Renewable
Transport Fuel Obligation;
-supporting the separate collection of food waste;
-making effective use of digestate by supporting the new standard BSI
PAS110.
Creating the Regulatory Framework: The objective here is to establish
a regulatory framework that finds an appropriate balance between
encouraging cost-effective growth in the use of anaerobic digestion
whilst ensuring protection of the environment and those operating
anaerobic digestion facilities. Defra have been working with the
regulatory bodies to identify opportunities for simplifying the
processes for operators through the regulatory requirements without
risk to environmental effectiveness. Key actions include:
-introducing revised exemptions from environmental permitting for
small scale on-farm anaerobic digestion;
-introducing new standard permits;
-publishing Standard and Quality Protocol for digestate;
-publishing guidance on the regulatory requirements for injecting
biomethane into the gas grid;
-identifying the regulatory requirements for the co-digestion of
sewage sludge and other feedstocks.
Building Capacity: Ensuring the cost effective and environmentally
beneficial uptake of anaerobic digestion by increasing awareness and
understanding of the use of the technology and its products. Key
actions include:
-delivery of the Government's £10m Anaerobic Digestion Demonstration
Programme;
-further development of an online anaerobic digestion advice portal;
-development of training standards for operators of anaerobic
digestion plants
Research: Improving our Understanding: Continuing to improve knowledge
of the use of anaerobic digestion technology and its products in order
to make the most of the potential benefits. Key actions include:
-research to optimise the anaerobic digestion process, including £1m
for a new small scale anaerobic digestion development unit;
-improved understanding of the economics of the anaerobic digestion
lifecycle;
-optimise the use of available feedstocks, including assessing the
impacts of energy crop production;
-demonstrate the agronomic and economic value of digestate
Sharing Global Experience: Learning and sharing experiences with other
countries, some of whom have much more experience than the UK.
Assessing Progress: Identifying where actions are working or where
changes are needed. A comprehensive system will be set up to monitor
and report progress, this will include a new online geographical
information systems (GIS) tool.
"Accelerating the Uptake of Anaerobic Digestion in England: an
Implementation Plan" PDF 470KB) is available to download from the
Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/ad/implementation-plan.htm