Vale Green Energy anaerobic digestion plant secures certification scheme accreditation

Phil Black - PII Editor 20/06/2022

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The Rotherdale Farm anaerobic digestion (AD) plant operated by Vale Green Energy near Pershore, Worcesterhire, has achieved accreditation under the AD Certification Scheme (ADCS). Run by the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), ADCS recognises efficiency, best practice, and professionalism in AD operations.

This latest ADCS success reflects the momentum being gained in the delivery of certification coming shortly after that of Adapt Biogas’s Murrow Plant and, pre-Covid hiatus, Andigestion’s Holsworthy site. Several other plants are currently undergoing the auditing process and will hopefully soon receive recognition for applying good health and safety, environmental and operational practice on their site.

Designed and built in-house in 2015, Rotherdale Farm is a 4.5mw biomethane gas to grid energy crop fed AD plant, feeding approx. 75,000 tonnes per year with crops from its own 4500-acre farm and local growers under contract. the site also includes a 90 acre 19.5mw solar farm providing power to the AD plant and for export.

The site uses a 1800Nm3 Pentair Haffmans membrane biomethane upgrading plant injecting approx. 930Nm3/h of upgraded biomethane into the Wales and West gas network. The CO2 separated from the biogas is captured at approx. 1 ton/hour and liquified as food grade CO2 and used in the drinks industry. The site also has two 500kw Janbacher CHP engines, one to provide heat and power to the AD plant and the other to provide heat to a neighbouring poultry farm.

Rotherdale is one of two AD plants operated by Vale Green Energy. The company is planning to soon submit their other site, Springhill Farm, also located near Pershore, to the ADCS accreditation process.

“Best practice and striving for excellence have always been the objectives of Vale Green Energy,” explains Guy Mills, Opeations Manager at Vale Green Energy. “The ADCS accreditation for Rotherdale highlights our professionalism as an AD operator and our commitment to operate to the high standards set by our own industry.”

Josh Henthorne, Technical Support Manager at ADBA, said: “It’s great to see Vale Green Energy taking proactive measures to ensure they implement best practice and compliance in their operations. It demonstrates their commitment to reducing health and safety and environmental risks while maximising operational performance. The ADCS accreditation will set Vale Green Energy up for continuing to apply high standards and we are pleased their second site will also be going through to accreditation.”