Anaerobic Digester & Commercial Heated Horticulture Project

Work on the Feasibility Studies has commenced we are now looking into how much food waste we can expect to be able to process in the Digester from the surrounding area. If you are are a Food Producer or Food outlet we hope to offer you a Solution to your Organic Waste disposal & an Investment Opportunity & would like to hear from you contact matt@sustainwestcork.com.

Basic Project info below:

Feasibility Study into the viability of an Anaerobic Digester producing Biogas giving Combined Heat & Power through the digestion of domestic & commercial kitchen organic waste. 

Sustain would like to see the plant coupled with a Heated Horticulture Operation to take some of the heat & power from the plant. Such an operation could grow both indoor & outdoor fruit and vegetables all year round that currently we have to import. This operation would provide significant, much needed employment in the area.
With possibilities of training, education and even tourism.  The Anaerobic Digestion process also produces a digestate liquid that is very high in Nitrogen along with Co2 both of which have proved highly beneficial in
promoting plant growth. This Nitrogen rich digestate is also of benefit to the farming community. We believe both operations should be owned by the local community probably following a co-operative business model.

The  AD CHP Biodigestor coupled with the Horticulture Operation would have several benefits:-
    • Helping meet our landfill targets
    • Creating Renewable Heat & Power
    • Reduction of food miles
    • Lower Carbon Emissions
    • Creating Employment
    • Strengthening Local Economies
    • Building Local Community Resilience
    • Potential for Fuschia Branded Exotic Fruits

The project has to date received considerable support both at Town & County Council level.

The Feasibity Studies are beign funded by the West Cork Development Partnership under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

Consultants have now been commissioned for the 2 studies which will involve consultation with local stake
holders & the public, the studies will be completed by the end of May 2010.