Biorenewable Energy Elaine Groom QUESTOR Centre The Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland 1

Research Capabilities Cross-Cutting Technologies Biotechnology Chemistry Process engineering Genomics Communication Modelling Life cycle assessment Energy Water Energy from Biomass Resource Management Groundwater Surface Water Contaminated Land Water & Wastewater Treatment Sensors for Environmental Monitoring

Biorenewable Energy (energy from biomass) Emerged as a Research Theme in 2005/2006 as a result of interest by member organisations First QUESTOR-funded project 2007 Four QUESTOR projects (at Dec 2008) Additional research ongoing supported by external funding New projects developing from existing research partner capabilities 3

Current Areas of Activity Improved understanding and performance of anaerobic digestion –Feedstock testing (various collaborations) Grass, macroalgae, microalgae, organic wastes –Waste hydrolysis and conversion Second generation biofuels Catalytic gasification Embedded energy generation concepts Novel biomass pelletisation (QUB with AST/AFBI) 4

Foresight Exercise 5 Novel Nanomaterials for Remediation Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Next Generation Wireless Sensors Renewable Resources from the Marine Environment Remediation/Treatment Sensors Energy QUESTOR Foresight Exercise (2007) Remediation/Treatment Sensors Energy QUESTOR Foresight Exercise (2007) QUESTOR Academic Partners (QUB, DCU, SIT, DAL, UDE, IWW, CRA) Development of Large Collaborative Research Projects IAB Funded Research Projects (Annual Cycle) IAB Funded Research Projects (Annual Cycle) Research Drivers Portfolio of QUESTOR Projects

Development of Projects 6

Example: Anaerobic Digestion Mature technology, room for more innovation –Focus on process intensification and cost effective technology size reduction –Projects at QUB, Cranfield, –Related project (Fertiliser from digestate) SIT Emerging –Biogas upgrading and conversion; Embedded Energy Generation Externally Funded. –Re-Wise (Biogas from Food) –GreenGrass (Biogas from Grass) –BioMara (Biofuels from Algae) 7

Anaerobic ecosystem Photo:

Microbial groups involved in AD and biogas production hydrolysis acidogenesis methanogenesis acetogenesis H 2 CO 2 Acetic Acid CH 4 CO 2 Acids Alcohols Solid Organic Material Complex organics

Rapid biogas production from pre- grown methanogenic biomass Rapid increase in methane production on demand Conditions Brewery wastes 11 litre anaerobic filter 2 hour HRT 37ºC Groom et al (2001) unpublished data 10

Food Waste as a Decentralised Renewable Energy Source by exploiting the Existing Built Environment Three deliverable documents completed –Requirements and key information for the exploitation of the RE- WISE model –Market scenario evaluation matrix and report –Interactive web content Support of proposed Sustainable Energy Communities: Belfast Queen’s Island, Waterford and St Albans Reports available at: Re-WISe Update

GreenGrass Update Developing grass for sustainable renewable energy generation and value-added products –Completed literature review on pre-treatments –Recruited Dr Angela Orozco –Building reactor suite and analytical instrumentation –Initial results refining BMP methodology on silage Preparing to receive grass and silage sample from TEAGASC Building thermal hydrolysis unit Funded by the Irish Dept of Agriculture & Food Research Stimulus Fund (€1.2M) Partners: TEAGASC (Irish Agric & Food Development Authority), UCC, QUB;

BioMara Update Marine algae as a source of renewable energy –Unicellular algae for oil (biodiesel) production –Macrophytes for bioethanol/biogas production QUESTOR’s role is leading stakeholder groups and development of downstream processing. Started January 2009; official launch 3 rd April Stakeholder workshop – 17 th June (Belfast)

Embedded Energy Generation – applied projects with local companies Processing Wastes, By-products Heat Electricity Fuels, Value-added Products Energy Crops Fertiliser Agricultural production Technologies: Pyrolysis; Gasification; Anaerobic Digestion ; Catalytic Conversions 14

Some thoughts…. Do small energy supplies matter? Anaerobic Digestion – energy source or waste treatment? 15