1. Colin Robertson 04 September 2013 Biofuels Series: Anaerobic Digestion

2. Scottish Biofuel Programme
“At the heart of the Programme is the simple yet potent concept of creating bio-energy and sustainable biofuels from low value organic waste and by-products.”
simultaneously stimulating social environmental awareness and entrepreneurial drive.
Biofuel crops continue to provoke controversy

3. Convert residues into biofuel
Benefits…
Convert residues into biofuel
through deriving biofuel from biological waste,
Deal with waste
Reduce energy bills and waste bills
New product opportunities – diversification
Comply with regulations
Make money, save money

4. Ref: http://wasteawarebusiness.wordpress.com
“waste has become a transitional state — a phase — rather than an end-product”
Waste hierarchy
Biofuel is a highly relevant issue in the promotion of waste-management
Zero waste legislation and aims
Landfill impact on business costs – and environment
Best use of carbon
Manage business costs

5. Scottish Biofuel Programme
Create value from residues
Support SMEs convert organic residues to valuable biofuels
Access experts in several biofuel areas
Test feasibility and business case
Fund next steps to commercial process
Augment business success
A network of technologies, solutions and opportunities.
create and support new and existing demand within the SME market regarding the business and economic benefits of using biofuels.
case studies and pilots so as to create lighthouse projects - exemplars that other businesses can follow and emulate

6. Programme Partners University of Edinburgh
University of Abertay Dundee
University of Edinburgh
Scottish Association for Marine Science
SAC Consulting – a division of SRUC
Edinburgh Napier University
SAMS:
feasibility and viability of producing biofuels from marine biomass - both macroalgal (seaweeds) and microalgal (single celled plants) - as an alternative to production from terrestrial land plants
SAC Consult:
Agriculture can generate much of the energy it uses and export surplus to other sectors. Reducing carbon is a business opportunity for agriculture.
Farm-scale AD - Slurry good as a basic feed stock. Higher energy feedstock required to increase output. Demand for heat will improve project viability
Consultancy expertise, such as: analysis of grain and oilseed markets; economics of bio-fuel and energy crops; carbon management; agricultural investment appraisal

7. Programme Funders Scottish Enterprise Scottish Government
European Regional Development Fund
Value £1.66M (to 03/15)

8. Process and Products SME Motivation By-product Characterisation
Biofuel/chemicals
Carbon capture
Heat & power
Soil-improver
Business benefits
Could equally support the supply chain and onward markets
A network of technologies, solutions and opportunities.

9. Biofuel and chemicals feedstock butanol ethanol acetone biodiesel
fermentation
algae culture
Liquid fuels
Commodity chemicals
Biobutanol production by ABE fermentation also bioethanol and bioacetone
Use as transport fuel (and bulk chemical), Mixes well with existing fuels, high energy yield, 25% higher energy per volume than ethanol
Easier storage and safer handling, compatible with existing fuel infrastructure. Can be blended with diesel
legally recognised as a biofuel by incorporation in the 2009 amendment to the RTFO
Can be made from non-food feedstocks
Celtic Renewables
Bioethanol at Abertay: fuel alcohol fermentation using lignocellulose, and seaweed as feedstocks

10. Carbon capture Process CO2 Algae culture Process waste water feedstock
pyrolysis
biochar
Biochar
The thermal process used to produce biochar from biomass is known as pyrolysis (zero-oxygen °C)
Biochar is a specially designed charcoal which offers a bright future for organic resource management, soil improvement and energy production.
It contains a high proportion of extremely stable carbon, and so sustainable production of biochar can be a significant, viable Negative Emissions Technology for mitigating man-made climate change.
Algae can be a powerful tool in bioremediation and can be used to treat industrial and municipal wastewater.
Algae consume CO2
Soil improver

11. Heat and Electricity feedstock anaerobic digestion pyrolysis oil & gas
biogas
Heat and electricity
Anaerobic digestion to convert organic residuals into biogas:
Microbial dynamics
Process modelling and optimisation
Feedstock pre-treatment
Digestate post-treatment
Co-digestion processes
Biochar: showed how a system could be configured to maximise either biochar production, electricity output, or heat output, and a life cycle analysis and techno-economic assessment examined carbon abatement potential, and potential revenues under a variety of scenarios.

12. Soil-improver feedstock anaerobic digestion pyrolysis biochar
digestate

13. Process and Products Decrease costs Generate Revenue SME Motivation
By-product
Characterisation
Biofuel/chemicals
Carbon capture
Heat & power
Soil-improver
Business benefits
Decrease costs
Generate Revenue

14. How to work with the Programme
1. Advisory Report
Technologies
Landscape
Similarities
Fit
2. Characterisation
Quantify biofuel from feedstock
3. Development
Optimisation
Scale-up
Business case development
Again, can work with supply chain and onward markets to achieve these

15. Development
To add value and insight to projects most-likely to succeed
Supported by £70k per annum fund
Project specific consultancy
More–detailed business case

16. Case Examples Biochemical methane potential studies Consultancy advice
craft brewer
organic grower
Consultancy advice
Food & drink manufacturers
Specialised Technical Consultancy
Food ingredient manufacturer

17. Key points Create value from residues
Support SMEs convert organic residues to valuable biofuels
Access experts in several biofuel areas
Test feasibility and business case
Fund next steps to commercial process
Augment business success
You, the audience and your participation in a growing network facilitated by the Programme

18. Contact Colin Robertson T. 0131 455 3234 M. 07557 458740
Innovation/Business Development Manager T M E. W.