Researchers from the Department of Economics and Department of Finance and Accounting at Cork University Business School (CUBS), UCC, have joined a major new initiative to unlock the economic potential of anaerobic digestion (AD) in Ireland.
Prof. Valeria Andreoni, Dr Tracy Bradfield, Dr Bernadette Power and Professor Geraldine Ryan are key members of the €697,439 project titled Exploring Economic Viability and Market Development of Products from Anaerobic Digestion (EXPAND). Led by Dr David Wall from UCC’s School of Engineering and Architecture, the project supports Ireland’s Climate Action Plan goal of generating 5.7 TWh of biomethane by 2030 through the development of up to 200 AD plants.
While AD is widely recognised for its renewable energy potential, EXPAND focuses on the untapped value of its by-products such as biofertilisers and the opportunities they present for Ireland’s growing bioeconomy. The CUBS team will analyse international best practices and assess how a viable market and business ecosystem for AD by-products can be developed in Ireland.
Dr Tracy Bradfield said
“We are delighted to be involved in this multi-disciplinary project which will enhance the production of energy, biofertiliser and other by-products of anaerobic digestion in Ireland,” said the researchers. “The work will be of significant benefit to both farmers and the energy sector overall.”