What are the benefits of an anaerobic digester?

Anaerobic digestion is not a new technology - it has been used in wastewater treatment processes to treat sewage for many years. Put simply, anaerobic digestion is a process through which naturally occurring bacteria are used to break down biodegradable material, like food waste, in the absence of oxygen. It is the application of this technology to treat food and food crop waste that is gathering momentum in the UK at an increasing rate. AD can form part of a range of measures to harness renewable energy and has a valuable contribution to make to meet climate change targets.

As well as getting rid of a difficult and highly-regulated waste stream, AD, as an alternative solution to landfill, has a number of really useful end products that can save money on energy bills and help the environment. Its’ by-products can produce electricity, heat, fuel, gas and fertilizer, by turning the nutrients in food waste into energy products and biofertilisers for farming.

The UK Government’s ‘Community Energy Strategy’ recognises the role communities can make to develop renewable energy in their local areas. AD is a key part of that strategy. AD has the potential to provide 10% of the UK’s domestic gas demand[1] and the Government wants to make it the norm for communities to be offered a level of ownership in commercially-led renewables developments.