Pioneering AD best practice scheme pilot to be launched at UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo

ADBA will launch the pilot of a pioneering new scheme to improve the environmental, operational and safety performance of the AD industry next week at its global tradeshow UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 and has also announced a new partnership with insurance brokers Jelf Group to reward AD operators certifying under the scheme. 

ADBA’s Best Practice Scheme aims to support operators of AD plants to meet the highest environmental, health and safety, and operational standards. ADBA has worked with a range of industry partners to develop the pilot for the scheme, including a steering group made up of representatives from trade associations, professional bodies and the insurance sector, alongside key regulators, to help guide the scheme’s delivery.

The first stage in this process was the publication last year of three checklists on risk management, procurement, and operational performance setting out how to achieve best practice in key aspects of operating AD plants and highlighting existing tools, guidance and legislation. Following this, the pilot scheme was developed. Once the pilot scheme has been tested over the next few weeks, the next stage will be to develop a voluntary certification scheme that defines best practice and enables AD plants to be recognised as meeting it. A certification process is essential in ensuring that regulators, insurers and investors have confidence in the scheme, allowing the industry to realise the full range of potential financial and regulatory benefits of signing up.

The scheme pilot will be launched by ADBA Environment & Regulation Manager Jess Allan at a panel session at UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017, which is being jointly organised by ADBA and the World Biogas Association. The panel session will also feature contributions from project management and engineering consultancy GOALS, insurance broker Jelf Group, malt supplier and AD plant operator Muntons, and the Environment Agency, all of whom have been involved in the scheme’s development. A range of AD operators will take part in the pilot to give a full picture of how the proposed certification process will work and identify improvements for the launch of the full scheme later this year.

In addition to the launch of the Best Practice Scheme pilot, ADBA is also delighted to announce the appointment of Jelf Group as its risk management and insurance partner following the latter’s development of a bespoke insurance product offering AD operators additional cover for specific risks. AD operators who are certifying under the Best Practice Scheme will benefit from a 10% discount on their insurance premiums*, and should also benefit from lower regulatory fees and finance costs.

ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton:

ADBA is leading the way in working with the AD industry to improve performance and our Best Practice Scheme is a shining example of this, being the most comprehensive scheme of its type in the world. Improving the reputation of the AD industry will help foster a positive relationship with regulators, local communities, and policy-makers, and will allow AD operators to benefit from improved performance and reduced risk.

 

We’re delighted to have had such great support and willingness to share knowledge and experience from industry partners. We’re now looking forward to putting our hard work into practice and ensuring operators who participate receive tangible benefits such as reduced regulatory fees, lighter touch by regulators, and access to better financing deals. ADBA’s exciting new partnership with Jelf Group in particular will ensure that AD operators participating in the scheme benefit from improved cover and lower-cost insurance.

Carl Gurney, Renewable Energy Director at Jelf Group, said:

We’re delighted to announce our partnership with ADBA to provide a world-class insurance service for AD operators. ADBA’s Best Practice Scheme, combined with Jelf Insurance Brokers’ access to exclusive insurance policies and risk management consultancy, allows operators to access lower-cost and more favourable insurance terms in return for meeting the highest environmental, health and safety, and operational standards. This scheme will allow those running AD plants to raise their performance and improve their bottom line, providing a “win-win” for an industry that has so much to offer. We’re looking forward to launching the scheme at UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 (stand G403) and talking to AD operators about how it will provide them with tangible benefits.

Dr Amaya Arias-Garcia, Technical Director at GOALS Project Management & Engineering and Chair of the Best Practice Scheme Steering Group:

The Best Practice Scheme is an opportunity for the AD industry to make a positive demonstration of its commitment to environmental protection and high health-and-safety standards. Operators, engineers, technology suppliers, and developers are constantly seeking ways to optimise their performance. The scheme provides a focused approach to facilitate the application of safe engineering and design principles, safe operating practices and safe optimisation of processes, which in turn will improve industry performance.

 

Next week’s pilot launch will be a great opportunity to tell AD operators about the scheme and receive feedback on how it can be improved ahead of the launch of the full scheme later this year.

Nick Green, Technical Lead on the Environment Agency National AD project and member of the Best Practice Scheme Steering Group:

The Best Practice Scheme is a great opportunity for AD operators to develop their skills and expertise in meeting the highest environmental, health and safety, and operational standards. It’s critical not only for the AD industry itself but also for local communities and the environment as a whole for AD plants to have clear plans in place to ensure sites and operating procedures meet these standards.

 

The Environment Agency is pleased to contribute to this scheme and I’m looking forward to discussing it with AD operators at UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo next week.

*Subject to not having a claim during the year of cover, in which case the 10% discount becomes payable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

ADBA

Jess Allan   T: 020 3735 8380   E: jessica.allan@adbioresources.org

Jelf Group    

Carl Gurney  T:  01905 892356     E:  adba@jelfgroup.com

Register your free place for UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 here.