Reflections from Dr. Helen Theaker on the World Biogas Expo 2024: Innovations and Insights

?Dr. Helen Theaker from ALPS Ecoscience UK Limited recently shared her experiences and insights from the World Biogas Expo held in Birmingham, England, in July 2024. The event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in biogas technology. Dr. Theaker's reflections highlight several thought-provoking developments and critical perspectives on the biogas industry's future.

?

Revolutionising Cooking in Africa: The (B)Energy Model

?One of the standout presentations for Dr. Theaker was from (B)Energy, delivered by Deliah Mahakata . (B)Energy aims to replace the $40 billion per year spent on wood and charcoal for cooking in Africa with biogas, presenting a sustainable and innovative business model. Their approach involves helping clients set up biogas plants and establish biogas-selling businesses. The biogas is sold in 1m3 bags that can be carried like a backpack, making it accessible and convenient for users. This model not only promotes sustainable energy use but also fosters entrepreneurship and local economic growth.

The impact of this model is profound, as it addresses both environmental and economic issues. By reducing reliance on wood and charcoal, it helps mitigate deforestation and air pollution, while the entrepreneurial aspect empowers communities and creates job opportunities. Dr. Theaker was particularly impressed by the practicality and potential scalability of this solution across Africa.?

The Complexities of Aid and Market Dynamics

?Dr. Theaker also touched on a more contentious issue regarding the effectiveness of biogas plants sent to Africa as 'Aid.' She noted that while well-intentioned, these aid initiatives often undermine the development of the local market for biogas solutions. Because the plants are provided for free, recipients may not value them as highly, leading to a significant proportion—estimated between 58-80%—of these aid plants not functioning properly.

?Dr. Theaker suggested that an alternative approach would be to support and encourage the burgeoning biogas industry in Africa. By fostering a market-driven environment, communities are more likely to invest in and maintain their biogas systems, ensuring better long-term sustainability, functionality and commerciality.

?

Innovative Solutions for Biomethane Capacity in the UK

?The WBA Expo also shed light on issues closer to home. The gas network in Norfolk and Suffolk is currently at capacity, posing challenges for expanding biomethane production and distribution. However, Iain Ward from Amorin Ward Associates presented a promising solution: Reverse Compression. This technique involves pumping biomethane from a lower pressure part of the gas network to a higher-pressure part, effectively creating more capacity. Dr. Theaker found this innovation particularly relevant for the UK, as it addresses infrastructure limitations and supports the accelerated transition from fossil gas to sustainable alternatives.

?

Cutting-Edge Pyrolysis Technology

Another exciting development highlighted by Dr. Theaker is the potential for methane pyrolysis using plasma energy. This process can split methane into carbon (in the form of graphite) and hydrogen, offering a novel method for carbon capture and storage. The implications of this technology are significant, as it could provide a dual benefit of reducing methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—and producing valuable byproducts. Dr. Theaker pointed to the work of the International Biogas and Bioenergy Centre of Competence (IBBK) in advancing this technology.

?

Conclusions on the 2024 World Biogas Expo

?Dr. Helen Theaker's reflections from the World Biogas Expo 2024 underscore the importance of innovative business models, market dynamics, and cutting-edge technology in advancing the biogas industry. From transformative solutions for cooking in Africa to addressing infrastructure challenges in the UK and exploring new methods of carbon capture, the insights gained from the Expo highlight the multifaceted nature of biogas as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable energy.

?The World Biogas Expo serves as an important platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving forward the biogas agenda. As Dr. Theaker's observations illustrate, the biogas industry represents a wealth of opportunities for innovation and impact on both a local and global scale.

For more information about (B)Energy's innovative model, visit their website: https://be-nrg.com/welcome/.

For further insights into methane pyrolysis technology, explore the IBBK's work at: https://ibbk-biogas.com/.

Helen Theaker , is a Senior AD Engineer at ALPS Ecoscience and holds a PHD in Anaerobic Digestion from the University of Sheffield. Read her full profile here. https://www.alpsecoscience.co.uk/team/

?