AD Load Factors at an all-time high

Annual load factors for the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in the UK continued to improve, rising to a record 73% last year, up from 69% in 2015, representing a big boost to the industry. The load factor calculation is based on all electricity plants claiming REGOs, of which there are 245.

Load factors give the ratio of the actual amount of electricity produced and the maximum potential output, and are a good indication of how well the industry is performing.

Just six years ago, in 2011, the industry averaged a load factor of just 46%. This continuing optimisation is great news for AD operators, as they seek to improve both the revenue and profitability of their businesses, and diminish the average unit cost per kWh of electricity produced.

Interested in operational performance? Be sure to attend UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 for more expert discussion and insights.

• The Performance and Operations session on 6th July 10.00-11.15 will discuss how to improve biogas yields, speed up processes and prevent failures, among other factors that will help improve your plant's performance.

If you have any questions about the industry, please feel free to send me an e-mail (emiliano.lewis@adbioresources.org).

Emiliano