The study will identify the most viable wastes for biogas production and explore opportunities to reduce and save energy.
Renewable energy and waste management technologies on an integrated farm will be explored as part of a new £212,000 project to support the decarbonisation of livestock farming.
BACB Renewables is partnering with the University of Leeds to provide funding to explore power generation from poultry waste, pig manure and insect waste. The study will identify the most viable residues for biogas production and explore opportunities to reduce and save energy.
The first part of the study will involve assessing energy needs before exploring opportunities for energy reduction, generation and storage. In parallel, different waste samples will be analyzed to identify the most viable waste using a new insect bioassay installed by insect technology company Entocycle.
The research will take place at the National Pig Centre, the UK’s largest pig centre, and will explore how smart ring systems can be used to diversify income sources and protect local waterways. High levels of phosphates and nitrates found in animal waste pollute rivers.
Researchers hope to reduce this effect because when insects are raised in compost, they remove some of the toxic nutrients. In contrast, insect waste is useful as fertilizer for other agricultural activities because it contains essential minerals.
Dr Lloyd Glanville, managing director of BACB Renewables, said that agriculture currently accounts for around 11% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions: “Integrated farming technology offers great potential for farmers to meet these climate challenges, as well as increase economic productivity and resilience. Rising inflation and energy costs We believe that this study will bring us one step closer to achieving net balance in agriculture in an ever-increasing environment.”
Dr Keza Reiss, Senior Innovation Research Fellow in Smart Agri-Systems at the University of Leeds, added: “We need to continue working with partners to drive innovation and innovation in research to meet the challenges of sustainable food production and environmental sustainability. This is a great example of how academics and partners are coming together to tackle challenges in the UK’s agricultural sector. example.”
The study is one of 50 projects funded by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and UK Research and Innovation.
