1. On Farm Biogas Energy in Agriculture Conference
Gurteen Agricultural College – Roscrea - Tipperary

2. What is Anaerobic Digestion?
Naturally occurring process
Microorganisms breakdown organic material in the absence of oxygen
Produces a ‘biogas’ composed mainly of methane & carbon dioxide
Biogas used to fuel gas generator to produce electricity & heat

3. How to go about it? Planning Permission Grid Connection Feedstock
6-12 Months
£5-10k dependant on site and services provided
Grid Connection
In NI, around £5k to apply
Typical connection fee of £75,000
Feedstock
Slurry – bacteria & minerals are key to process
Energy crop – grass silage, maize, sugar beet
Acreage requirements vary widely – land, crop, weather

4. How to go about it? Land for applying digestate
If importing feedstock where does the digestate go?
Nitrates directive
Storage requirements
Waste Management Licence
£1,100 to apply
Application and working plans
Operating Manual

5. How to go about it? Funding
Plant costs - 500kW AD Plant – Project Cost of £2-2.5M
Bank
70-80% of project
Interest rate of 3-5% & land based guarantee
VCT
100% Funding
Farmer manages the plant and get for his silage
Option to buy
12-14% APR but no land based guarantee
Asset Finance
100% funding, 12-14% APR

6. Case Study – Greenville Energy
Based on 600 cow dairy farm with cows housed all year
AD system provided by Williams Industrial Services
Bespoke design for NI feedstocks
Experience in mixing and feedstock preparation
Local service & maintenance
Availability guarantee
Operation
About 2-3 hours per day for a normal plant
500kW equates to around 600 acres of crop – we utilise waste
Digestate has reduced fertiliser by 2/3

7. Case Study – Greenville Energy
Economics
Varies widely
ROI approx years
Typical figures for an Energy Crop AD Plant in NI
£900k income
£350k finance (interest & repayment combined)
£200-£300k feedstock (dependant on land costs)
£100k maintenance
£ k profit

9. Questions & Answers