title: Agricultural anaerobic digestion power plants in Ireland and Germany: policy and practice.
abstract: The process of anaerobic digestion (AD) is valued as a carbon-neutral energy source, while simultaneously treating organic waste, making it safer for disposal or use as a fertilizer on agricultural land. The AD process in many European nations, such as Germany, has grown from use of small, localized digesters to the operation of large-scale treatment facilities, which contribute significantly to national renewable energy quotas. However, these large AD plants are costly to run and demand intensive farming of energy crops for feedstock. Current policy in Germany has transitioned to support funding for smaller digesters, while also limiting the use of energy crops. AD within Ireland, as a new technology, is affected by ambiguous governmental policies concerning waste and energy. A clear governmental strategy supporting on-site AD processing of agricultural waste will significantly reduce Ireland's carbon footprint, improve the safety and bioavailability of agricultural waste, and provide an indigenous renewable energy source. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Agathe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Auer
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Nathan H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Vande Burgt
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway School of Natural Sciences, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abram
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: TEAGASC, Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, County Wexford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Owen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fenton
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Bryan K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Markey
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway School of Natural Sciences, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: TEAGASC, Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, County Wexford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: TEAGASC, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Waal
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway School of Natural Sciences, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: O'Flaherty
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.affiliation: University College of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Annetta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zintl
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards; D058572:Carbon Footprint / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000069599:Crop Production / Q000191:economics; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics / Q000254:growth & development; D005285:Fermentation; D005858:Germany; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000639:trends; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000191:economics; D007494:Ireland; D011640:Public Policy / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D059205:Renewable Energy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000592:standards; D017751:Safety Management / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste
keywords: Ireland; anaerobic digestion; biogas; energy; renewable