Seminar to help farmers create a new source of revenue

Farmers can find out how to create a new source of revenue at a seminar being held by the Uk's leading waste management consultancies.

The event – at Bristol University's veterinary department in Langford, North Somerset, on Wednesday March 12 – is being hosted by SLR Consulting.

SLR principal, Peter McKendry, along with the other expert guest speakers, will outline the stages in developing a project to generate renewable energy by installing anaerobic digestion (AD) plants – also known as biogas plants – to treat biomass (biodegradable waste).

"Farmers are increasingly looking at new ways to diversify," said Peter, who is also organising the seminar.

"A combination of farm-grown energy crops, farm wastes and food production wastes can be used in a biogas plant to produce two valuable by-products – electricity for power and a bio-fertiliser – while also improving farm management."

Food wastes and 'wet' biomass wastes such as animal manures can all be anaerobically digested. They can also be supplemented using agricultural residues and purpose-grown energy crops like maize and fodder beat.

SLR has expertise in recycling, composting, EfW (energy from waste), and landfill gas management and power generation. It recently advised the Western Isles Council on the UK's first commercially sized AD powered combined heat and power (CHP) scheme in Stornoway and has also provided an outline feasibility study for dairy company Yeo Valley Foods on the use of a centralised AD facility.

"Legislation requires a reduction in the quantity of biodegradable waste going to landfill," Peter added.

"This, combined with the ability to obtain premium prices for electricity generated from biomass sources via the Renewable Obligations Certificate scheme, makes for some interesting business opportunities for farmers."

The seminar has been endorsed by the Maize Growers Association and the Renewable Energy Association (REA), of which SLR is a corporate member.

Guest speakers will include the chairman of the REA Biogas Committee, Michael Chessire, farming advisors Creedy Associates, lawyers Veale Wasbrough on planning and licensing, renewable energy brokers SmartestEnergy and Aufwind-Schmack on finance options.

For more information about the seminar contact Jessica Bisset, SLR Consulting, on 0117 906 4280.