Hear from UK AD & Biogas 2013 speakers

We asked our speakers:

If you were to become the Energy Secretary/Environment Secretary what would you change and why?

Here are some of their responses:

Dr Raffaella Villa, Cranfield University

In the energy from waste sector the transport cost of the feedstock is pivotal in deciding the technology to adopt.There isn’t a “one-fits-all” solution. I would support small-medium size facilities which provides local, low impact solutions – and AD is one of them. In a society wanting to achieve a circular and sustainable economy, supporting tailored and local solution for energy generation is of prime importance.

Raffaella will be speaking in the seminar session How the latest R&D can help you get more from your feedstock at 16:00 – 17:00 on 3 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Oliver Harwood, RH & RW Clutton and Task 37 (UK)

I would introduce pre-registration for support with “grandfathering” under FIT and the RO to enable investors to have security that the support would not be changed before they are generating, and remove the ridiculous 200kWth limit on RHI from biogas, enabling many more district heat schemes to work.

Oliver will be chairing the conference session ‘Bioenergy, nutrients and climate change – The future of farming’ at 10:05 – 11:35 on 3 July.

Lucy Booth, GP Planning Ltd

I would certainly encourage all those involved in the decision making process on new developments to treat waste as a resource. It is no longer appropriate to see waste as a problem to be shipped off to be dealt with elsewhere. If waste is treated as a resource, there is real potential for new waste management and treatment facilities to generate real improvements in the local economy of an area, through significant capital investment and creation of job opportunities.

Lucy will be speaking in the seminar session Planning for success at 11:00 – 12:00 on 4 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Jonas Strömberg, Scania

Transport is the big one to solve when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions. So I would introduce long-term and functional CO2 reduction tools for transport, focussing on reducing as much CO2 per pound spent, regardless of which technology or fuel being used. Then the commercial solutions – like biomethane – could be introduced in real volumes that really makes a difference.

Jonas will be speaking in the seminar session Opportunities for integrating biomethane into different transport fleets at 14:00 – 15:00 on 4 July in the Purple Seminar Theatre.

David Mansell, Somerset Waste Partnership

Set a clear long term strategy to further increase renewable energy generation in the UK that gives confidence to investors and allows the UK to take a world lead in this vital growth area for the future.

David will be speaking in the seminar session How local authorities are implementing separate food waste collections at 15:00 – 16:00 on 3 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Diane Broomhall, GL Noble Denton

If I was the Energy Secretary I would set up a financial reward for the first company to produce a low cost energy meter suitable for use on industrial and domestic gas supplies. This would eliminate the need for renewable gas sources inputting the gas distribution network to comply with the local CV requirements, thus significantly reducing the cost to the biomethane producer.

Diane will be speaking in the seminar session Biogas cleaning and biomethane upgrading technology at 13:00 – 14:00 on 4 July in the Purple Seminar Theatre.

Stuart Hayward-Higham, SITA UK Ltd

I would make an energy policy (multi-generational and for the long term social good), synchronise it with a Resource policy and the current carbon policy/law to give a long term clear direction of travel and a range of policies that are complementary (not competing with each other) that delivers affordable sustainable living.

Stuart will be speaking in the conference session ‘How food waste collections are meeting the needs of different clients’ at 15.25 – 15.45 on 3 July.

Quinton Fivelman, ADFerTech (AD Fertiliser Technologies Ltd.)

More AD plants and a strategy to deal with food waste collection and recycling. Investment now will result in improved AD industry, lower carbon emissions and cleaner fuel long-term.

Quinton will be speaking in the seminar session Increasing the value of digestate at 15:00 – 16:00 on 4 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Terence Brownhill, PROjEN

Use landfill tax credits to support the development of renewable energy. Provide farming with tax breaks/incentives associated with the treatment of animal slurries and growing energy crops of low grade agricultural land for processing through AD.

Terry will be speaking in the seminar session Training & Safety for AD at 12:00 – 13:00 on 4 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Christian Smith, GP Planning Ltd

Waste Planning Authorities need a better understanding of waste to energy projects such as AD facilities. I would therefore ensure that the adoption of the forthcoming National Waste Planning Policy provides clear guidance on planning and environmental issues relating to AD facilities. I would encourage Waste Planning Authorities to undertake a partial review of their Waste Local Plan documents to ensure that it reflects the guidance provided by the new National Waste Planning Policy document.

Christian will be speaking in the seminar session Planning for success at 11:00 – 12:00 on 4 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

Stephen Locke, Berrys

I feel the government need further emphasis and a strong focus on business and the economy. From a planning perspective it is important that local authorities are supplied with enough information on the benefits of renewable energy. In our experience, a positive local planning view will help to alleviate local concerns over the digestion process.

Stephen will be speaking in the seminar session Planning for success at 11:00 – 12:00 on 4 July in the Green Seminar Theatre.

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