The feasibility of the sustainable energy supply from bio wastes for a small scale brewery - A case study

Due to rising fuel costs and a need for the reduction of CO2 emissions, renewable energy sources have gained growing importance in industrial energy concept planning. In the food industry, a significant percentage of raw materials used leaves the process as biological waste. In this study a small scale brewery situated in Northeast England was audited. Based on the data obtained, the feasibility of biogas generation was modelled. The model included a planned extension to production capacity. Several scenarios for conversion were simulated, their gas demand determined, performance compared and economic viability calculated. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.