Industry Leaders Recognised At UK Anaerobic Digestion & Biogas Awards
Leaders from across the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry were honoured at this year’s UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards, held last week in Birmingham. With 60 entries for just 14 award categories, the industry awards recognised the greatest contributors – from operators to suppliers, micro-scale to large scale and energy contributions to non-energy contributions.
Speaking at ADBA’s fourth UK AD & Biogas Industry Awards, ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said, “There has been a lot of exceptional hard work by dedicated professionals over the past five years all aimed at scaling our industry. Today the AD industry boasts 400 biogas plants, which together deliver an electrical equivalent capacity (electricity and biomethane) of almost 480 megawatts – equivalent to the capacity of one of the nuclear power plants, Wyfla, which is being decommissioned this year.
“We’re honoured to recognise the greatest contributors to those sector triumphs that have developed AD as an established, proven technology. Their dedication to enhancing our industry’s reputation and continued growth is a testament to the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that has helped establish the firm foundation on which AD is now positioned to expand.”
Charlotte added, “I was also delighted to present Industry Ambassador awards to three individuals who have gone above and beyond to champion the industry’s interests.”
The ADBA Industry Ambassador award was presented to Bruce Nelson, Director of Compass Renewables, Angie Bywater, Network Manager, BBSRC and AD Network and Tony Fenton, Joint Managing Director of Edina.
After receiving his award, Compass Renewables’ Bruce Nelson said, “It’s a great privilege to accept this award – having worked with ADBA for the past seven years you can see the positive impact that their work has on the industry. I’m looking forward to the year ahead I hope to make the banks as enthusiastic as we all are about AD.”
Angie Bywater, Network Manager, BBSRC and AD Network added, “I’m hugely honoured and surprised to receive this award. “I think there’s a huge market for small-scale AD and on-site AD. What excites me is that tonight we’re celebrating some great British engineering – and that’s something which needs to be supported.”
Other Award Winners included:
- Innovation in Sewage Treatment through Anaerobic Digestion sponsored by Edina: Anglian Water Services Limited
- Innovation in Community and Commercial Waste Food Collection: Oxford City Council; High Commendation for Olleco
- Innovation in Process Efficiency and Optimisation: ENER-G Combined Power Limited; High Commendation for HRS Heat Exchangers
- Making the Most of Digestate: Nijhuis NH2OK Limited
- Making the Most of Biogas: GENeco
- Best Supporting Service Provider: Pegasus Group
- Best On-Farm AD Project sponsored by Vogelsang: Wyke Farms
- Best Food & Drink Industry AD Project: Olleco
- Best Merchant Waste AD Project or Plant: Agrivert
- Best Small Scale AD Project below 250kW: Evergreen Gas; High Commendation to QUBE Renewables
- AD Hero / Team of the Year: Scotia Gas Network’s Alan Midwinter; High Commendation to RUR3 Environmental Limited’s Jacqui MacCaig
- Best Engineering Team: Qila Energy
- Best Maintenance Team: Clarke Energy
- Best Installation And Commissioning Team: Uniflare Limited; High Commendation to Biogen
Martin Wager, Business Development Manager with ENER-G Combined Power Ltd, who won the UK AD & Biogas Industry Award for Innovation in process efficiency/optimisation, said, “We’re honoured to win this prestigious award from the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association – it’s a tribute to the talents of our UK engineering and manufacturing teams.”
HRS Heat Exchangers’ International Sales Manager, Matt Hale, also recognised with a High Commendation for Innovation in process efficiency/optimisation added, “We’re delighted to receive the commendation for our digestate pasteurisation systems. We pride ourselves on managing AD energy efficiently, with a proven track record of installations where up to 70% energy is recovered. The award dinner was highly enjoyed by the team and it was a great opportunity to meet with industry professionals. We look forward to returning next year and bringing new innovative technologies to the market.”
Brian Scheffe, Head of Anaerobic Digestion and Industrial Effluent for Nijhuis H2OK Ltd, who won the award for making the most of digestate, said, “Nijhuis H2OK are extremely pleased to have been recognised at UK AD & Biogas 2015 for making the most of digestate. Our game changing Nijhuis Ammonia Recovery system is an excellent example of the continuing innovations of Nijhuis Industries within the waste to value market place.
Clarke Energy’s Sector Manager, Andy Cooper – awarded Best Maintenance Team – said, “We’re extremely honoured to have our service capabilities recognised by this award. We aim to give all our customers the highest level of service as part of our company ethos and values.”
The Awards were presented at a special dinner, held during UK AD & Biogas 2015 – the UK’s only dedicated anaerobic digestion and biogas trade show. Showcasing the latest AD technology and services from 250 exhibitors, this year’s event attracted over 3,000 visitors from key sectors including farming, food & drink, local authorities, waste management, utilities, transport and more.
