More AD-power output boost for Barkip biogas plant

The Edina Group, the combined heat and power installer, has won a new contract to supply and install an additional CHP biogas engine at a bio-waste and energy plant in Ayrshire.

The SSE Barkip Biogas plant – officially opened by Princes Charles in May 2012 – is one of the largest combined organic waste treatment and energy generating facilities in Scotland.

The plant processes up to 75,000 tonnes of organic and food waste per year, and currently generates 2.2MW of renewable electricity, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the biogas produced.

The new MWM manufactured TCG 2016C V12 CHP engine will accompany the site’s existing two engines, providing an additional 600kWe, totalling a plant power output of 2.8MWe.

Plant feedstock is mainly food waste such as organic household waste, supermarket waste, surplus production from the food processing industry, and manure.

The anaerobic digestion (AD) plant includes a separation facility used for de-packaging household and supermarket waste which removes inert material from the organic feedstock before being processed in the biogas plant.

The bacteria breaks down the waste to produce methane rich biogas, which is then combusted in the CHP gas engines to generate electricity. The electricity is then sold to the National Grid and part of the process heat recovered from the engines is used to power the AD plant. 

The plant also produces a low cost PAS110 bio fertiliser to support local agriculture and sold to local farmers.

Ian Farr, Sales Manager at Edina, commented; “The plant has seeded a behavioural change in Scotland and in doing so, engaged local authorities, food manufacturers and farmers to make a real difference in combating waste and generating renewable energy.

“The Barkip Biogas plant makes a real difference in reducing community waste levels, which otherwise would have been sent to landfill.”