Research project
DELIVER: decarbonising emissions from livestock: innovative valorisation of waste for energy resilience
- Start date: 1 April 2023
- End date: 30 September 2024
- Funder: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Primary investigator: Dr Katie McDermott
- Co-investigators: Dr Gesa Reiss, Dr Henry Greathead
Project title
DELIVER: decarbonising emissions from livestock: innovative valorisation of waste for energy resilience
Description
Project lead: BACB Renewables
Co-Investigators
Professor Martin Tillotson ¦ Civil Engineering
Professor Paul Kay ¦ School of Geography
Professor Kang Li ¦ School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Professor Tim Cockerill ¦ Mechanical Engineering
This is a techno-economic feasibility study to integrate multiple modularised technologies through two work packages:
- Solar PV, Battery, Heat pump
- Valoraisation of waste through biofilm AD reactors, pressure swing absorber, CO2 liqufaction and containerised insect farm.
The aim of the study is to create viable diversification opportunities for livestock farmers while supporting them to reduce carbon and reduce energy costs.
The first part of the study will involve baselining energy demands before looking at energy reduction, generation, and storage opportunities.
In parallel, different waste samples such as pig slurry, and insect frass (larvae castings and excrement) will be analysed to identify the most viable waste feedstock for biogas and insect production using a newly installed 40ft walk-in insect bioreactor provided by insect technology company Entocycle.
The insect facility unit ‘Entoexplore’
Figure 1 below provides an overview of key project activities.
Pig slurry, poultry manure and insect frass will be sampled from four locations throughout the various production stages. For pigs, sampling will accommodate weaner, grower and finisher stages. Samples will be analysed for nutritional, microbiological and biogas potential composition, which will inform the optimal integration of technology alongside providing preliminary data on the utilisation of an insect bioreactor.
Supporting net zero
Watch the video below to discover how the DELIVER project is benefiting from world-class facilities on the university research farm to better understand how a farm can work towards becoming net zero.
Connect with us
Linkedin: BACB Renewables
In the news
Events
In March 2023, Drs. Gesa Reiss and Lloyd Glanville BACB Renewables joined Energy Leeds at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show at the NAEC Stoneleigh. During a panel discussion about clean energy, they also presented the latest innovations from DELIVER.