New centre will turn waste into energy

A new £1.2m Centre for Excellence will turn waste into renewable energy. 

The University of York and Yorkshire Water are establishing the centre, with an aim to advance research over the next four years and enable a greater understanding of the process behind anaerobic digestion (AD). 

AD facilities are used as part of the process to treat biodegradable waste and sewage sludge and reduce the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere.

The new project aims to increase the potential of waste recycling and further boost renewable energy generation.

The project will transform AD performance, strengthening the University’s bio/circular economy research portfolio, and contribute to the region’s aspiration to become carbon neutral.

Professor James Chong from the University of York’s Department of Biology, said: ‘I’m very excited that a long-term partnership has developed with Yorkshire Water.

‘This new project represents an important opportunity to develop both our fundamental understanding of the biology underpinning anaerobic digestion and how we translate this knowledge into real-world applications, as a critical part of the UK/global drive towards net zero.’

Tom Hall, Yorkshire Water head of bioresources added: ‘Anaerobic digestion facilities are vital to the way we treat our sewage sludge both now and into the future.

‘We currently treat around 145,000 dry tonnes of sewage sludge each year and this is likely to increase to around 180,000 dry tonnes by 2035 given the population growth in our region and new regulations linked to phosphorus removal.’

In related news, Tim Broadhurst, CCO of CooperOstlund explains how anaerobic digestion can maximise the value of sewage

Photo Credit – Supplied