Plan submitted to build anaerobic digestion plant providing carbon negative energy

Plan submitted to build anaerobic digestion facility near Winchester  Hampshire Chronicle

Plan submitted to build anaerobic digestion plant providing carbon negative energy

Plan submitted to build anaerobic digestion plant providing carbon negative energy

The Construction of an Anaerobic Digestion Site for Renewable Energy Production

Introduction

An application has been submitted by Acorn Bioenergy Limited to Hampshire County Council (HCC) for the construction and operation of an anaerobic digestion site. The purpose of this facility is to produce renewable, carbon-negative energy in the form of biomethane. The site, located near the Three Maids Hill roundabout between the A272 and A34, will also generate two by-products: digestate, which will be used as fertilizer on local farms, and CO2, which can be utilized for industrial purposes.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The facility aims to provide renewable energy for the UK, contributing to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
  2. Goal 13: Climate Action – By producing biomethane, a carbon-negative energy source, the site supports efforts to combat climate change and its impacts.
  3. Goal 15: Life on Land – The use of digestate as fertilizer promotes sustainable land use and contributes to the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.
  4. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The utilization of CO2 for industrial purposes aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Project Details

The anaerobic digestion site will receive agricultural feedstocks from local farms and process them into methane for injection into the national grid. The feedstock will undergo processing in anaerobic digestion tanks to generate a raw biogas mixture consisting of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide. The estimated output of the site is expected to meet the heating demand of 7,000 households and provide fuel equivalent to 270 HGVs per year.

The site area will cover approximately five hectares and operate from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday. During peak harvest periods, working hours may be extended as necessary.

Public Engagement

An in-person public exhibition was held in July to provide detailed information about the project to residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Feedback forms were made available for attendees to express their opinions and concerns. Some residents raised issues regarding increased traffic and congestion, as well as potential air and noise pollution. They also questioned the benefits of the project for the community.

However, positive feedback was also received from supporters of the anaerobic digestion plan. One neighbor expressed enthusiasm for renewable energy technology as a means to address climate change. Another neighbor endorsed the construction of the site at Three Maids Hill roundabout.

Addressing Concerns

Acorn Bioenergy Limited responded to the concerns raised by addressing the traffic issues. The company stated that the site would require an average of three HGV movements per day, consisting of two movements for biomethane gas and one for CO2. Additionally, they mentioned that the delivery of feedstocks to the site would amount to approximately 13 loads per day. The company assured that heavy vehicle movements would not pass through the main villages in the area.

Acorn Bioenergy expressed gratitude for the positive comments received from members of the local community.

Conclusion

The construction of an anaerobic digestion site near the Three Maids Hill roundabout aims to provide renewable, carbon-negative energy for the UK. This project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including affordable and clean energy, climate action, responsible consumption and production, and life on land. The site will not only generate biomethane but also produce valuable by-products for agricultural and industrial use. Public engagement has allowed for the expression of concerns and support, and the applicant has addressed traffic issues raised by residents. For more information about the application, please refer to Hampshire County Council with the reference number HCC/2023/0256.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Sustainable Development Goal: Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)

  • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
  • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

The article discusses the construction of a plant that aims to provide renewable, carbon-negative energy for the UK by producing biomethane. This aligns with SDG 7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy. The specific target under SDG 7 that can be identified is Target 7.2, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article mentions that the plant will produce biomethane, which is a form of renewable energy. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 7.2.1, which measures the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. Sustainable Development Goal: Climate Action (SDG 13)

  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
  • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula

The article mentions that the plant aims to produce biomethane, which is a renewable energy source. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on climate action. The specific target under SDG 13 that can be identified is Target 13.2, which aims to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 13.2.1, which measures the number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

3. Sustainable Development Goal: Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
  • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

The article mentions that the plant will produce two by-products: digestate, which will be used as fertilizer on local farms, and CO2, which can be used for industrial purposes. This aligns with SDG 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production. The specific target under SDG 12 that can be identified is Target 12.2, which aims to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 12.2.1, which measures the material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
SDG 13: Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

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Source: hampshirechronicle.co.uk

 

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