The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation is the main support mechanism responsible for driving the increase in renewable electricity generation from its introduction in 2005. This led to the development of a series of on-farm Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants which produce biogas from crops such as grass silage and animal wastes. The biogas is then converted to electricity with limited efficiency. In this project, academics from Queen’s University collaborated with Kilmoyle Energy, AD Power NI and Bridge & York Capital to explore the environmental and economic benefits of advanced biogas utilisation in Northern Ireland. Alternative pathways were investigated including biomethane injection into the gas grid, use as transport fuel, and conversion into biodiesel and chemical feedstocks within a biorefinery framework.
Using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), the team evaluated multiple scenarios, demonstrating that advanced utilisation options can more than double greenhouse gas (GHG) savings compared to conventional electricity generation. Notably, substituting food waste for traditional AD feedstocks yielded significant GHG reductions, supporting circular economy and climate policy goals.
The project also modelled the environmental impacts of biomethane replacing diesel in transport, including human non-market co-benefits such as positive impacts on health measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Collaborations with CASE’s Dual Fuel team and industrial partners like Encirc provided real-world validation and extended the project’s reach.
Outcomes included international conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and knowledge transfer workshops. The findings have informed local policy discussions and supported further funding applications, including proposals for city-wide biocycles and regional bioeconomy strategies.
This project exemplifies CASE’s commitment to sustainable energy innovation, providing robust evidence to guide investment and policy in bioenergy systems across Northern Ireland and beyond.