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James Vincent Barlow

MSc (Eng) Environmental Engineering and Project Management

CIVE 5561 ± Environmental Microbiology

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02/03/2011





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Management Summary

The report examines and compares the advantages and disadvantages of two forms of
renewable energy in order to assess potential future investment.

The first of these, energy from non food crops via anaerobic digestion involves growing
crops, such as maize, wheat or g rasses, for the purpose of feedstock for an anaerobic
digester. The gas emissions for this are then used as fuel for energy production. The main
advantages to this form are better value crops, potential fertiliser from the anaerobic
digestion digestate, fu nding from the government and a short payback time for farmers and
satisfying policies and directives such as the Renewables Obligation and the Climate
Change Levy for the government. However, disadvantages include the both the public and
the economy suffering due to less food production and subsequent need for imports.

The second form, algal biomass, involves growing large areas of algae, drying, extracting
the oil and converting it to usable fuels such as biodiesel, bio gasoline, ethanol, or gases
such as methane for use in energy production. The advantages for energy from algal
biomass include high yield, simple and quick growth, high energy, carbon dioxide
consumption and an advantage over many energy sources as it can grow in many diverse
locations and climates. However, the main disadvantage is cost, both of facilities needed to
grow the algae, and the nutrient/carbon dioxide needed.

It was decided that as a result of this, both forms should be investigated further, as both
have huge potential for the future.

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Introduction c

With the world¶s natural resources becoming depleted, and the emphasis on reducing
emissions, such as those from fossil fuels, it is becoming increasingly important to consider
alternative energy sources, such as wind power, photovoltaic, hydroelectric and the focus of
this report ± anaerobic digestion and biomass. The following report will examine and analyse
two forms of alternative energy; non -food crops via anaerobic digestion and algal biomass.

Energy From Non-food Crops Via anaerobic Digestion

In order to examine the method of getting energy from non -food crops via anaerobic
digestion, the term µnon -food crop¶ must first be defined. It is, quite simply, any crop grown
for purposes other than food, such as to J







 
    
 (Business Link, 2009) . More specific to this
report are µenergy crops¶, which are µ 

 

 ÿ


 
  
 (The Royal Society, 1999) , maize, grass and wheat. Secondly,
µanaerobic digestion¶ must be defined, which is µ
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"
 
 

  (NNFCC,
2009) ÿ

The first advantage of ENFCAD for the farmer is the equivalent price per ton they can
receive for using the crop for biogas production via anaerobic digestion rather than selling as
crops. For example, for a cro p of maize, the average biogas yield is 210m 3/Tonne (NNFCC,
2009), leading to an average equivalent value of £57.70/Tonne (NNFCC, 2009). This
compares to a crop price of approx £200/Tonnes (230 Euros) (BBC News, 2010). However,
it is estimated that in the region of 80% (Business Link, 2009) of the total cost of the crop is
from transportation/storage etc, meaning a relative cost of around £40/Tonne from the
farmer, the biogas equivalent being nearly 50% greater.

The second advantage for farmers using ENFCAD is the potential use of the other product of
anaerobic digestion, the digestate, which is  
 


 !

  
   (NNFCC, 2009). This digestate can be separated into a
liquor and fibre, which can then be used as a na tural fertiliser. This has financial benefits for
the famer, and also environmental benefits, as it reduces the use of potentially
contaminating chemical fertilisers (Biogas-info, 2010).

It could be argued that one disadvantage for the farmer is the cost of installing the necessary
equipment needed for ENFCAD, such as the actual anaerobic digesters. However, there is
funding available from the government to subsidise construction of these plants, as it helps
them to attain targets (discussed later in the report). In addition, due to the comb ination of
government help and high rate of return, it is estimated that the payback time for ENFCAD
plants is a mere 5 ± 7 years (NNFCC, 2009).

Another two potential related disadvantages to the farmer are the land take from t he
buildings, using land where they may otherwise grow crops, and the presence of the
anaerobic digesters as an eyesore. With regards to the first of these, the financial benefits of
the ENFCAD (both payback and crop value) (NNFCC, 2009) should ensure that the land
taken and subsequent loss of crops would be recouped in a number of years, providing they
carry on with the scheme. In terms of the eyesore, the only solution would be creative
designing or possibly natural screening.

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A potential advantage for both the government and the farmers is possible dual use of the
anaerobic digester. For example, if the farmer became disillusioned with the plant, or it
became economically unviable, the government could take it ove r, for use with other
feedstock such as waste or wastewater, satisfying more objectives.

With the focus on renewable energy, both within the EU and worldwide, there are a number
of policies, directives and guidelines that a widespread ENFCAD would fulfil. One of these is
the µRenewables Obligation¶, which 
   #$




  
  






 (OFGEM, 2007) 
success in which leads to a Renewable Oblig ations Certificate (ROC) which is a 





 













 

#$(OFGEM, 2007) ÿ Another policy which may encourage energy generation in this way
is the Climate Change Levy (CCL). This is a tax on non renewable energy supplied to
commercial users at £0.00470/kWh for electricity and £0.00164/kWh for gas (HMRC, 2009).
Use of ENFCAD would eliminate this cost so would likely be popular.

A disadvantage for th e government could be the effect on the economy of fewer crops being
produced. Not only would this mean that less crops could be exported, and profit gained, but
money would have to be spent importing crops, making them more e xpensive, due to
transportation, storage and taxes. Furthermore, the government would be relying on imports
from other countries. This could be disastrous if something were to happen in those
countries, such as the heat wave in Russia and subsequent crisis due to crops being
destroyed (BBC Business News, 2010). This would lead to either highly inflated prices, or
worse, a shortage of food.

One advantage for the public of ENFCAD is the potential for cheaper energy. Of course, this
would depend on the farmer selling the energy to the National Grid, distributing and selling it
locally, or a combination of both, but the potential for the local people to receive green and
cheaper energy is certainly a possibility.

However, one disadv antage that the local public may incur is the raised price of food and/o r
crops. Similar to the effect on the country¶s economy mentioned previously, but on a smaller
scale, local produce may rise in price, as there will be less local food for sale, therefore food
will have to be imported, which will be more expensive. . An example may be bread, as local
bakers may have to pay more for imported grain than from the local farmer.

More of a challenge than a disadvantage as such is addressing the issues raised b y cynics
of anaerobic digestion. They may say that the amount of energy produced is erratic, due to
the inconsistent fuel. However, although this may be true with waste or wastewater, the fuel
in this case is controlled, as the crops are grown specifically so will be uniform, dismissing
this worry. Another case the cynics may put forward is that the digestate may be
contaminated, by chemicals or items such as heavy metals. Again, due to the natural and
controlled nature of the fuel, these can be easily regu lated. Finally, they may criticise the
removal of the digestate, which is often done by incineration, producing greenhouse gasses.
This is irrelevant, as it can be used by the farmer or sold as fertiliser due to its richness in
nutrients. (Biomass Energy Centre, 2008)

Energy From Algal Biomass

Energy is produced through algal bio mass by forming either oil or gas from algae, which can
then be burned to produce energy in the same way as any other fuel would. Lar ge areas of
algae can be grown, then harvested by way of filtration of centrifugation , and are then
dewatered to attain a dry mass of algae. The high oil and lipid content can then be converted

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into a number of fuels, such as biodiesel, bio gasoline, biobu tanol, ethanol or methane.
These fuels formed from algae are known as 3 rd generation bio fuels (Haluzan, 2010).

The first advantage of algal bio fuel is the high energy content it provides - it can contain up
to 50% oil (Renewable Energy UK, 2006) , and some studies show that it can even exceed
this (Renewable Energy UK, 2006) . This is a huge amount of oil relative to previous/current
generation bio fuels, such as rapeseed, soy bean or palm oil, with values of 30 times more
energy per acre (Trainer, 2004) in the oil from algae. Obviously, this makes it much more
efficient to use than the other sources.

Another advantage of using algal bi omass is the growth and the yield of the algae being
grown for use. Firstly, it is simple to grow, requiring only sun, water and carbon dioxide. In
addition, it can produce 5 ± 20000 gallons of oil per year per acre (Haluzan, 2010) , which is
7 times as much as the next highest value. In comparison, palm oil, one of the most popular
current forms, produces 635 gallons per acre per year (Renewable Energy UK, 2006) .

Related to the growth rate of algae i s the conditions in which it can grow, which is the next
advantage. Due to needing very few things to survive, algae is able to grow in many places
where other crops could not, such as oceans and even desert s where there is little water
available. This has potential benefits in countries where water is scarce and desert is
abundant, as the areas can be used. Also, algae can grow on wastewater, again, utilising a
potentially limited water source. (Haluzan, 2010)

As a result of the above, algal biomass has an advantage over the ENFCAD in that it does
not need to take up land which could be used for growing crops, eliminating many of the
disadvantages listed for that energy source.

The next advantage of using algae to produce energy is its effect on the environment, or lack
of. As the algae does not affect the water it grows on, and is completely biodegradable
(Haluzan, 2010) , it can be grown anywhere without damaging it. The only potential problem
with this would be eutrophication, but this should not be a problem if the algae are managed
properly.

The final advantage of algal biomass is the effect of the growing algae on carbon dioxide
levels. It is estimated that per gallon of oil produced, 13 ± 14 tonnes of carbon dioxide have
been consumed by the algae used in its production (Haluzan, 2010), which reduces the main
greenhouse gas, thereby helping to prevent climate change. In addition, a closed loop
system for growing algae can use the emissions from power plants to provide sterile carbon
dioxide (Haluzan, 2010). It can remove 86% nitrous oxide and 40% carbon dioxide from the
emissions (Renewable Energy UK, 2006) , which is a huge benefit to the environment.

However, energy production from algal biomass also has a number of disadvantages, most
of them related to cost, with the price of algae varying from $5 ± 10 for different species
(Haluzan, 2010). This is due to the relative infancy of energy from algal biomass, meaning
that efficient and cost effective ways of production have not yet been perfected.

There are three main systems used to produce the algae used for algal biomass, each o f
which harbour their own disadvantages:
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3 Open ponds are the predominant way used currently, where algae is simply grown
on an uncovered pond. These methods are cheap, but the disadvantage lies in that
as they are easily subjected to varying conditions (tem perature, pH, nutrients) and
open to contamination, they produce low yields.
3 Close loop systems are enclosed ponds providing a controlled sterile environment for
production, providing a high yield. However, the problem lies with sourcing sterile
carbon dioxide, which can be difficult to find if not near a power station, and can be
very expensive.
3 Bioreactors are the most efficient way of producing algae, however, as they are a
completely controlled environment, they are very expensive and output is not wort h
the return.
(Trainer, 2004) (Haluzan, 2010)

Another disadvantage of algal biomass is the large area required to grow the algae.
Although the harvest time is quick, 1 ± 10 days (Haluzan, 2010), if algae fuel was to be a
main fuel source, many thousands of acres would be needed for production. Although this
would still not affect food crops like ENFCAD, other areas such as wetlands may be
adversely affected.

The final problem with algal biomass, also related to the algae production, is the provision of
nutrients. Although algae does not need much to grow, controlled nutrients are vital for
higher yields needed to make it economically viable (Trainer, 2004) . This would add to the
expense of production and must therefore be a consideration.

Conclusion

Having examined both forms of energy production, a conclusion must be made as to which,
if any, EEI will invest in.

Anaerobic digestion of non food crops has many advantages for the farmer involved, such
as better value crops, potential fertiliser from digestate from anaerobic digestion, funding
from the government and a short payback time for diversification in times of austerity . It also
has a number of advantages for the government, especially is satisfying policies and
directives such as the Renewables Obligation and the Climate Change Levy among others.
However, it does not provide many benefits for the public, especially thos e local to the farms,
as whereas they will likely not see any benefit from energy produced, they would probably
see an increase in price of food. This is magnified in the major disadvantage of the scheme
of less food production, harming the economy.

It is evident that algal biomass has many advantages over other forms of energy, such as
high yield, simple and quick growth, high energy, carbon dioxide consumption and an
advantage over many energy sources as it can grow in many diverse locations and climates.
However, there remains the glaring problem of cost, both of facilities needed to grow the
algae, and the nutrient/carbon dioxide needed.

In summary, despite the disadvantages, it would be recommended to investigate both

methods further, as ENFCAD is highl y beneficial to the government, and could therefore

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secure much funding, and algal biomass is still in infancy, and investigation and success in
remediating some of the discovered issues could lead to great things for the company.

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