A North Wales company has been shortlisted for a prestigious world industry award for its innovative biogas plant.
Ekogea is in the running for the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Industry Awards ‘Best Biogas Plant below 1MWe’.
The company’s shortlisting recognises the success of its Hendwr Farm Biogas Plant in Corwen, North Wales.
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The biogas plant has been in operation since 2017. The plant is currently producing over 1.5 times (150%) daily digester biogas production rate compared to a typical farm biogas plant.
The plant is pioneering because the digester has been dosed with Ekogea’s BioComplex additive containing polyuronic acid to create biological stability and oligosaccharides to feed the bacteria within the AD plant providing enhanced biogas output.
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The gas output is further enhanced with the pre-treatment micronisation of the AD feedstock reducing the particle size for faster, more complete digestion.
The combination of low capital build cost due to the small size of the AD plant, 50% smaller than conventional systems, and good use of heat and power generated on the site have contributed to a highly efficient project.
The smaller size of the system, when compared to a typical digester, not only means a lower build cost, but also much smaller heat losses and higher returns on investment.
Anaerobic Digestion is one important part of the Ekogea business, which also has an office in Devon.
Ten million broilers are estimated to have benefited from Ekogea’s BioComplex (BCxF) since it was introduced at the end of last year. Sales are also now starting with overseas customers.
Because of the improved bird health, most farmers are also seeing significant financial gains. In a recent vet-approved report, a crop of around 200,000 broilers treated with BCxF was calculated to have added more than £40,000 profit for the farm.
BCxF comprises 100% Ascophyllum Nodosum kelp, a fully approved EU feed ingredient.
The 100% natural product, made using organic seaweed from the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, is delivered via drinking water lines. It has been shown to increase weight, reduce levels of ammonia, lower levels of disease and increase in the number and diversity of gut organisms.
Philip Hughes, Ekogea’s Agricultural Director, said:
“We are delighted that our pioneering biogas plant has been recognised with a shortlisting in these prestigious global industry awards.
“We believe the work that we are doing in AD, animal health and a number of other important applications is having a transformational impact environmentally, for animal welfare and in lowering production costs.”
The winners of the AD and Biogas Industry Awards will be announced on July 3rd.
