Bio Capital is the largest biogas producer in the UK by MWh, currently operating a portfolio of 11 anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities nationwide. The AD process breaks down organic matter using micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. This provides a beneficial biogenic source of energy in the form of biomethane as well as nutrient-rich biofertiliser.
Inherently circular, Bio Capital’s anaerobic digestion process provides a recycling solution for millions of tonnes of food waste in the UK. This food waste would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled. Electricity derived from biomethane combustion is likewise renewable, contributing to the decarbonisation of our power grid and helping the UK reach net zero. Biomethane can be used to power vehicles and forms a renewable component of the national gas grid, replacing fossil fuel gas. Biofertiliser produced as a waste product of anaerobic digestion supports green agriculture by providing an effective alternative to chemical and fossil-fuel-based soil additives.
PPN 06/21 compliance
Bio Capital approached Grain in early 2023 to assist in preparing a PPN06/21 compliant emissions inventory statement and carbon reduction plan for a local authority waste disposal tender. We began work by defining the boundaries of their emission-producing activities and sources of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. These included liquid and gaseous fuel usage, air conditioning, electricity use, freight, chemicals, business travel, employee commuting and waste across Bio Capital’s 11 facilities. Due to their role in producing renewable energy, this project also calculated “outside scope” emissions and avoidance of GHG emissions.
Biofuel combustion, like all forms of combustion, yields carbon dioxide. In greenhouse gas terms, however, these biogenic carbon dioxide emissions are considered “outside scope” for reporting purposes as they form part of the natural carbon cycle and do not add long-term harmful emissions. Our carbon footprint calculation required, as per UK government and GHG Protocol guidance, documentation of biogenic CO2 to ensure a complete accounting of emissions.
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a significant benefit of anaerobic digestion, but governance bodies remain cautious about avoided emissions reporting. In 2022, for example, Bio Capital exported nearly 113 GWh of electricity and more than 20 million m3 of biomethane to the national electricity and gas grids, potentially avoiding more than 62,000 tCO2e from energy production. Reporting such avoided emissions, however, is currently limited to an organisation’s gross scope 2 emissions, though the latest guidance suggests these rules are under review.
Carbon reduction plan
Our work with Bio Capital included the development of a robust carbon reduction plan completed in accordance with PPN 06/21. The plan includes a roadmap to net zero by 2030 with specific carbon reduction initiatives and timebound targets. The organisation already has several measures to help ensure carbon reduction targets are achieved. These include ISO 14001:2015 certification, a company vehicle EV salary sacrifice scheme, and a cycle-to-work scheme. In the near term, their reduction plan includes a 10% reduction in potable water use across the group. Also, installing depackaging equipment to reduce plastic waste, solar electric energy sourcing, and switching to biomethane-powered transport vehicles. The plan includes projects to capture CO2 byproducts for use as a fossil fuel-free alternative in the food and beverage industries. Meanwhile, further research into the carbon sequestration potential of the application of biofertiliser to agricultural soils is planned.
We very much enjoyed working with Bio Capital on this project. We learned many new things about anaerobic digestion, organic waste management, biogenic energy production, and digestate use in agriculture. Bio Capital’s services to local authorities and other customers are environmentally beneficial in many ways, not least the large quantity of potential GHG emissions they help us avoid on the UK’s road to net zero.
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