Benefits of using Biogas
Introduction
The environmental impacts of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process are all positive:
- Development of a benign and safe waste management system
- Pollution and odour control of organic putrescible wastes
- Reduction in the need for the use of artificial fertilisers
- Control of pathogenic bacteria and viruses
- Production of renewable energy
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Carbon neutral process.
The integration of biogas technology within the community as a waste management process and renewable energy producer will bring social benefits:
- Create a cleaner environment
- Create local employment
- Provide diversification for rural businesses such as farms
- Achieves the “Proximity Principle” i.e. treating wastes close to their source
- Is sustainable.
AD can also generate economic benefits by:
- Charging a gate fee for the treatment of wastes
- Production and sale of biogas as both electricity and heat
- Production and sale of fibre and liquid fertilisers
Improve the efficiency of farming practices by offsetting fertilizer and energy bills.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been widely practised across the globe for many centuries as the preferred method for the stabilisation of biodegradable organic wastes - anything from farm wastes to kitchen scraps. Originating in China and India some 3000 years ago you can now find over six million family sized low technology digesters in the Far East providing biogas for cooking and lighting.
The 1930’s saw further development of Biogas Technology throughout the world, driven by the need for alternative energy for cooking, heating and lighting. The AD process was used fairly extensively when energy supplies were reduced during and after World War II. However, it was as early as 1895 that biogas was recovered from a “carefully designed” sewage treatment facility and used to fuel street lamps in Exeter.
Today there are over 1,000 AD plants operating worldwide treating organic waste water and 120 AD plants digesting 5 million tonnes of household waste and other biological wastes.