Biogas Booklet Launched

As one of Europe’s leading breeders of crops specifically targeted to maximise methane yields in biodigesters, the 32 page booklet draws on the company’s worldwide experience in this sector.

According to KWS UK Biogas specialist John Burgess, the booklet is a ‘must read’ for those who are contemplating establishing a biogas plant or growing crops for a local energy supplier.

“Selection of the right mix of feedstock is critical to maximising biogas plant efficiency and financial returns, and thankfully there’s plenty of experience to build upon from those on the near continent,” he says. 

“However, UK experience is more limited and it is a case of examining all the options, talking to as many experts as you can and then slotting the right crops in to the right rotation for your region.   This booklet will help.

“Never lose sight of the fact that you are looking to maximise biogas yield per hectare,” he says.  “Often, the best approach is to utilise a mix of materials in the biodigester – including any local slurry or vegetable waste - alongside larger quantities of crops grown, managed and stored to provide a feedstock source that maximises methane yield.

“Mixing smaller amounts of biogas beet, for example, in with maize helps to improve gas output of the mix over time, reducing the dwell time in the biodigester. 

“It is also common practice to use even smaller amounts of slurry or vegetable waste as a useful catalyst to boost the activity of slower bio-digestible materials such as grass or wholecrop cereals,” he points out.

“However, you still need biomass bulk and the average 1MWh plant will require around 20,000t of feedstock produced from across 400ha.” 

Within Europe, KWS is the only breeder with a specialist programme dedicated to developing plants better suited to bioenergy applications.

Our research and commercial experience confirms that the highest biogas yields come from crops with a high sugar and starch content.  Maize and sugar beet lead the way, with maize having the potential to produce almost 100,000kWh per ha. 

And, since 2002 the KWS biogas breeding team has bred the maize plant for use in biogas installations delivering a 20% biomass-based yield increase compared to forage types. 

More recently we have introduced biogas beet varieties to the European market which offer a 12% improvement within the methane production process compared to beet bred for sugar.

However, as the industry develops, we are also looking at cereal and grass crops for use in the biodigestion process including forage rye and sorghum and these crops are included in the booklet.

Growers can either pick up a copy at the 2011 Cereals Event or through contacting John Burgess direct on 01763 207309.

PDF version available from the right hand column.