In 2025 EBNet sponsored a workshop on measurement of residual biogas production (RBP) as a possible tool for estimating potential methane emissions from digestate storage.
The workshop contributes to an ongoing programme of work by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) on Methane Emissions from AD, which aims to gather evidence on good practice and mitigation measures to reduce the carbon intensity of biomethane production.
The event was hosted by DESNZ and Cranfield University, in collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). It was coordinated by Dr Yadira Bajón Fernández and Dr Charalampos Michalakakis of DESNZ, and included around 50 invited participants from academia, industry, regulators and other bodies.
The Summary Report Feasibility of Residual Biogas Potential-type Testing for Quantification of Digestate Methane Emissions is now available on the Resources page.
Key outcomes included broad agreement that RBP-type testing could have a role as a proxy for digestate methane emissions, when adapted to account for site-specific conditions and emissions abatement strategies.. The workshop also identified critical test and sampling variables to inform development of a robust, sector-relevant protocol and improve consistency of testing across the sector.
Dr Yadira Bajón Fernández, Lead Author on the workshop report who is currently on part-time secondment to DESNZ, said “The strength of the workshop was the shared recognition across the sector of the need for a simplified, policy-relevant approach to evidencing digestate methane emissions, built through open collaboration. It was energising to bring academics, regulators, policymakers, industry and service providers together in one room for a strong and open discussion, and I’m very much looking forward to taking this work forward”.
Dr Mark Walker, who leads EBNet’s AD WG and who participated in the workshop, said “While robust and representative estimation of methane emissions from digestate using a single test is challenging, the workshop highlighted that an ‘RBP-style’ test could certainly be used for this purpose. As a workshop participant I appreciated the engagement from a broad range of expertise in from both UK and international contributors, and the event was very well managed to consider the views of all involved. I am very interested to see the next steps unfold!”.
This report is one of several that EBNet’s AD WG has supported and contributed to, including work by the International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association (IFEAA) and the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Farm of the Future report: see here for more details.
Angela Bywater, our former Network co-Manager who now supports the UK side of the GCSB, said “Minimising emissions from anaerobic digestion not only saves money, but increases the positive environmental impact of this technology. This workshop explored important practical approaches to minimise emissions from digestate storage. With the help of EBNet’s funding, the workshop results have contributed to the development of more robust and practical DESNZ policy by combining the expertise of academics and practitioners”.
For further information on the RBP report contact Dr Bajon-Fernandez y.bajonfernandez@cranfield.ac.uk
