Regional assessment of bioeconomy options using the anaerobic biorefinery concept

Abstract

One of the outputs on an ongoing programme of research into the bioeconomy concept in Northern Ireland was the publication of a ‘Biogas Research Action Plan’ in 2014, which included a ‘Quantification of Feedstocks for Anaerobic Digestion’ research project. This research quantified the feedstocks available for biogas production on a regional basis. The present research builds on and extends that previous work by applying the anaerobic biorefinery concept to the data for feedstocks for anaerobic digestion to include both biogas and digestate utilisation options. The assessment aims at evaluating the potential significance of anaerobic biorefineries on a regional basis, including types of feedstocks and uses for both biogas and digestate outputs. The use of the anaerobic biorefinery concept allows the evaluation of both biogas and digestate management pathways in an integrated way and can contribute to the development of a road map for a regional bioeconomy. The usefulness of the anaerobic biorefinery concept in informing regional and/or national policy and decision-making for the circular economy and the bioeconomy is evaluated, and recommendations made for future research priorities in this important research and policy area.