How will Gas be Produced from Grass?
Renewable Energy Supplier Ecotricity have long held ambitions to produce Britain’s first “Gas from Grass” Biomass Mill, and recently have signed an agreement with Global Manufacture Wärtsilä to provide the technology to make this a reality.
Construction has recently started on this “First of a Kind” project located near Reading in Berkshire, with a view for it to be opened Early Next Year. Current projections for this first site are to provide ALL the Gas requirements for 4000 local homes, annually.
Traditionally, the creation of Green Gas required large scale agricultural land as it involved use of Energy Crops or Food Waste, however this method does suffer with scaling and sustainability issues. This new Renewable Gas Mill will be fed by a mixture of herbal lays, including grass and herbs that are sown and grown on farmland, located next to the site. Furthermore, as agricultural land is not required, this new process will not compete with Food Production.
The process will initially require grass to be broken down in a silage container for an estimated 2-month duration, whereby it will then be put into a digester from which a methane-rich Gas will then be produced.
Will this New Initiative make a big difference compared to the Governments current plan?
If successful there are further plans and ambitions for projects to be rolled out across the country. Ecotricity released a New White Paper, authored by fully independent academics from Imperial College London Consultants, and as part of their findings it confirmed “There is enough grassland in Britain, not involved in food production, to provide gas for all homes”.
Currently the Government are aiming for a National Air Source Heat Pump rollout as an alternative option to heat homes without carbon emissions, however these plans are in doubt due to the large expense required to install the necessary equipment.
This New Form of Green Gas has been reported as being able to simply reduce and replace fossil gas in the Grid, ensuring it will work with all current equipment in place.
Furthermore, it will reduce the United Kingdom’s dependence on Imported Energy Alternatives, whilst boosting our own Economy by creating Jobs and Opportunities across the Country.
Is there anything Commercial Businesses can do to reduce their Energy Spend?
Although these new advances are welcomed, it will take several years for the benefits to be felt by businesses, however CostAdvice are here to help.
If you are struggling with Rising Energy Prices, are dealing with problem queries or would like to take advantage of our No-Obligation Energy Audit, please contact Daniel Walker on 01246 252788, or by e-mail at daniel.walker@costadvice.co.uk, whereby he will be happy to help.
