Renewable energy from dairy waste
16 October 2009
Clearfleau says it has had its liquid anaerobic digestion technology selected as part of a preferred project, through the Environment Transformation Fund (ETF) Anaerobic Digestion demonstration programme
The project, which is administered by WRAP on behalf of Defra, will enable BV Dairy to replace much of its current energy needs with renewable energy generated from biogas, produced from unwanted liquid waste.
BV Dairy, a family owned dairy processing company located near Shaftesbury in Dorset, processes milk from local dairy farms. The on-site energy plant will recycle energy (generated as heat and power from biogas) back to the dairy, where it will be used to replace energy derived from fossil fuels, thereby reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
The project is supported by Dairy UK, the industry trade association, which is engaged in a national exercise to reduce the carbon footprint of the dairy industry. Clearfleau’s novel AD technology is the first of its type to be installed on a commercial dairy site in the UK.
During the first two years of operation it will be run as a demonstration site for food industry treatment of liquid waste. Commenting on the selection for the ETF funding Richard Gueterbock, director of Clearfleau, said: “We have been working with BV Dairy for some time to come up with an effective way of treating their effluent that reduces the environmental impact of the business.
''The power unit will be located alongside the BV Dairy plant and will feed electricity and heat back into the factory. We will start building the installation later this year and will have it operating by mid 2010. It will provide an exciting commercial showcase for our technology.”
Jim Highnam, the MD of BV Dairy, said: “The anticipated WRAP support for this innovative energy project is very welcome. This is a demonstration project for the dairy industry and also a major investment in the future of our business. Although we have yet to secure planning permission for the proposed site, it will help us to supply our customers with high quality dairy products made from local milk, in an energy efficient and environmentally conscious way.''
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