Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a proven industry that has been around since the 19th Century. But recent innovations such as automation, IoT (Internet of Things) and AI offer a raft of opportunities for the AD sector to have a far greater impact than it ever has had in the past. We are now in the fourth industrial revolution – and so here comes what we like to call ‘Anaerobic Digestion 4.0’.
AD offers a circular and environmentally friendly solution to treat millions of tonnes of organic feedstocks including food waste, transforming it into a reliable and stable source of locally produced, renewable energy for homes, businesses and vehicles.
On a basic level, AD mimics the natural process that occurs daily in our bodies when we consume food – breaking it down and producing energy. However, instead of taking place in our stomachs, AD takes place in large tanks.
While anaerobic digestion is proven to be an effective technology, scaling it up to meet the need for reliable and localised renewable energy is more critical than ever with countries such as the UK striving to achieve their ambitious net zero targets. Estimates suggest that by 2030, the AD sector could generate 5.7 billion cubic metres of home-grown biomethane a year – enough to heat 4.5 million homes.
Currently, a significant amount of food waste is sent to landfill, where it decomposes and releases harmful greenhouse gases. In the UK alone, around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste are discarded annually, emitting approximately 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. This accounts for 5.5 per cent of the country’s total emissions, exceeding the annual emissions of the whole of the Republic of Ireland.
Moreover, local authorities are being mandated by the UK government to implement a solution to food waste in their area. Anaerobic digestion can divert food waste from landfill, mitigating the release of methane and turning it into a valuable energy source.
Launching Anaerobic Digestion 4.0
Creating AD 4.0 combines an AD process with the capabilities of Industry 4.0 technologies for enhanced efficiency, monitoring and control.
This is made possible through a cloud-based site management solution that can significantly help in data collection at AD plants – with real-time visibility, centralised data storage, and efficient collaboration. These are:
- Remote access & real-time data monitoring: Cloud-based solutions that integrate with various sensors and data collection devices installed at sites.
- Centralised data storage: Automated data collection negates the need for manual data entry.
- Automated data collection: Smart cameras at all sites that import real time readings to a cloud-based data acquisition systems.
- Data analytics and reporting: Real-time operational and management dashboards to identify patterns, trends, and data to optimise plant operations, improve efficiency, and identify potential maintenance requirements.
- Collaboration and communication: The integration of data and analytics enables collaboration among different stakeholders involved in the operation and management of plants.
Artificial Intelligence
We are also likely to see the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools in AD plants in the not-so-distant future. ML tools can be used to optimise the AD process further by predicting the optimal conditions for maximum methane production and the performance of digestors.
Overall, automation technology has the potential to make anaerobic digestion a more efficient, safer, reliable and sustainable way to produce renewable energy. As this technology continues to develop, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the UK’s low carbon energy future. By continually improving and scaling up these technologies, Bio Capital and the AD industry as a whole can make a tangible impact on the environment and assist the UK’s ambitious emission goals.
Karan Tyagi is head of business intelligence at Bio Capital.