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Anaerobic digestion

Biomass is put inside sealed tanks and naturally occurring micro-organisms digest it, releasing methane that can be used to provide clean renewable energy

Anaerobic Digestion ( AD) is the process where plant and animal material ( biomass) is converted into useful products by micro-organisms in the absence of air. This means AD can help reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The material left over at the end of the process is rich in nutrients so it can be used as fertiliser.

Almost any biomass can be processed in AD; including food waste, energy crops, crop residues, slurry and manure. AD can accept waste from our homes, supermarkets, industry and farms, meaning less waste goes to landfill. However, woody biomass cannot be used in AD because the micro-organisms can't breakdown the lignin, the compound that gives wood its strength.