LONDON Globally, large investments and an increased emphasis on organic waste landfill diversion are driving anaerobic digestion (AD) through the economic gloom. On both sides of the Atlantic, the environmental profile, economic credentials and reliability of AD are making it an increasingly attractive proposition for waste management companies and investors alike.
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In the UK, the Prince of Wales’ private estate and Jacob Rothschild are among the high profile investors behind the $103 million investment in Tamar energy which plans to build 40 digesters in the UK alone. Meanwhile, in the USA, AgPower are set to open the largest AD facility on the continent this year. Waste management companies are among the significant players committed to AD and other new approaches in organics management; Tim Hawkins, Area Vice President for Waste Management Inc. commented; “As the nation’s largest environmental solutions provider, our customers are asking us to help them meet their sustainability goals.”
But despite enormous progress, the US and the UK lag significantly behind continental Europe in terms of development. The maze of bureaucracy in regulation and permitting, as well as the project economics are delaying the progress of AD as a feasible and widely implemented technology for utilizing organic wastes. Haley Sawyer of Navigant Consulting, in her article on the opportunities in Anaerobic Digestion said, “AD conversion requires a specific organic waste composition and a sufficient supply, without which biogas output will be lower, and the project will be uneconomic.”
The message from stakeholders across the industry is clear; Investment coupled with a serious commitment to sustainable goals and long term feedstock agreements will lead ultimately to an economic business proposition that provides genuine societal benefit. Renewable Waste Intelligence has provided a forum, in San Francisco, to address these issues of business model, investment, infrastructure and long term agreements.
The Anaerobic Digestion Conference and Expo is bringing together waste management companies, entrepreneurs, municipal authorities and investors to ensure that solid supply chains can be built for the long term: Take a look at: http://goo.gl/u7Gnm or email Oliver Saunders at osaunders@renewable-waste.com to find out more about how you can get involved.
But despite enormous progress, the US and the UK lag significantly behind continental Europe in terms of development. The maze of bureaucracy in regulation and permitting, as well as the project economics are delaying the progress of AD as a feasible and widely implemented technology for utilizing organic wastes. Haley Sawyer of Navigant Consulting, in her article on the opportunities in Anaerobic Digestion said, “AD conversion requires a specific organic waste composition and a sufficient supply, without which biogas output will be lower, and the project will be uneconomic.”
The message from stakeholders across the industry is clear; Investment coupled with a serious commitment to sustainable goals and long term feedstock agreements will lead ultimately to an economic business proposition that provides genuine societal benefit. Renewable Waste Intelligence has provided a forum, in San Francisco, to address these issues of business model, investment, infrastructure and long term agreements.
The Anaerobic Digestion Conference and Expo is bringing together waste management companies, entrepreneurs, municipal authorities and investors to ensure that solid supply chains can be built for the long term: Take a look at: http://goo.gl/u7Gnm or email Oliver Saunders at osaunders@renewable-waste.com to find out more about how you can get involved.
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