From Waste to Watts: The power of on-farm biogas systems

Energy from manure, since 2009

Day and night, Biolectric empowers dairy and pig farmers to significantly reduce their electricity consumption by transforming manure into a renewable energy source. Today, 350+ anaerobic digesters are running, with 2 new ones leaving the production facility each week.

"Our solution captures methane efficiently, converting it into electricity and heat through an engine, preventing its escape into the atmosphere and combating greenhouse gas emissions. All highly automated and operated with a friendly user system, because on the farm there's no time to waste", Joseph FAYOLLE, UK manager for the company ;

"Following Covid-19 and Brexit, the amount of new installations decreased. However, the past year has seen a resurge in interest and sales for these systems, due to higher costs and variability of electricity. The fact 82% of the green house gas emissions from manure can be reduced also becomes more and more of a concern for milk consumers and subsequently the dairy cooperatives."

24/7 energy through slurry

The system processes hourly fresh slurry, fully harnessing its energy potential and so enabling operations powered exclusively by slurry. A minimum of 60 cows is required for the system to work 24/7, with an electrical output from 11 up to 74kW per hour. That allows farmers to become almost fully completely energy independent. Along with other benefits such as the use of heat for the farm, less import of fertilizer, and a 24/7 production of renewable energy.

"Sizing the right system from the start is one of the most crucial part in the process. All farms are different, but by having at the same time a standard and modular system, we can nearly adapt to any without complicated groundworks, helping to reduce costs."

Manure as a battery

"We have been rolling out a new update end of last year, which we call the SMART-algoritm." This allows the farmer to set the engine to run or not depending on the usage of the farm or price of electricity. This comes handy if you have a variable electricity contract, use a conventional parlor, or want to store some biogas for later usage. The goal is to match the electricity profile of the farm. In such a way the biogas from manure can be used as an energy buffer. Maybe the cheapest battery on the market.

Complete peace of mind through Service & Automation

"In the past 15 years, the company learned a lot. Perfect after-service is key. In the beginning years of Biolectric in the UK back in 2015, we worked together with multiple distributors. Installations were sold without proper maintenance. We learned from this.", admits Joseph.

"Since re-opening the market in 2022, we started with setting up a good solution service hubs prior getting back to commercialization. With both a hub in the North and the South-West, and with a stock of spare parts to ensure proper response time, we can have the same technical uptime as on mainland Europe."

The uptime can be guaranteed for 15 years through a service subscription. It's essential for farmers to not take too much of their time with the system. The core on the farm should be crops & animals, so we are investing relentlessly in automation, robustness and good after sales.

Among the different installations in service in the UK, here are 2 satisfied farmers who used the system for 5 years.

50% drop in electricity usage at Knott Oak Dairy Farm.

This farm is part of the Dillington Estate in Somerset. The installation was put in mid-2019 and has been running since, with some reworks made last year. Ollie Blackburn looks after the farm and estate. 

"The system runs by itself and everything can be monitored on the online app."

"A 15 minute daily check is sufficient."

"What I like is the proactivity in the maintenance from the team. It is making a great difference and a trusteed relationship with the company. We use the heat for the robots and the houses on the farm. Electricity usage drops by 50% when the plant is running, with some of the plant production going as export to the grid. We also reduced the import of fertilizer by 60%. Digestate is excellent for our grass and crops."

Heating the café at Beech Grove Farm

Edward Goodall, the co-owner of this family farm with his sister Victoria, produces milk with its 200 cows, which they process and bottle for local doorstep delivery and also use in their on-site cafe and ice cream parlor."

The 33kW installation was built at the start of 2018, and have since performed at 90%+ efficiency throughout the years. The plant is used at its maximum as the electricity is used on the farm and the heat is taken for the café. 

"Along the AD plant, we installed solar panels and a wind turbine. I would say the turbine is about 20% efficient and the panels 10%. Compared to the AD being 93-95%, it is kind of a no brainer."

"As the plant is designed to be very standard, I can retrofit new features, so I can keep my plant up to date and be as efficient as the new ones." A full interview of Edward and the plant can be found on the following link :

"We are actively working with different companies and associations like the biogas association ADBA to grow awareness on small on farm AD in the UK", concludes Joseph.

If you would like to know more about the system, please check out Biolectric website to fill in the form so we can contact you back. Link below :