The Renewable Energy Association has been representing the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector since its launch in 2001. Having worked hard to promote AD over the years, at long last the sector is finally being recognised.
The detailed AD work is carried out in the Biogas Group of the REA. This group is expanding continually. At present it meets every two months with 52 active companies, and includes all significant project developers in the sector. It is through this group that the biogas sector gets the focused attention needed to promote its interests.
The REA as a whole has over 600 member companies - active across the entire range of renewable energy technologies and applications. The Biogas group is one of several dedicated groupings within the REA which focuses on particular renewable resources or applications.
This means Biogas Group members benefit from being part of a larger organisation with more political clout and expertise across renewables as a whole. There are many generic issues which impact on renewable energy producers of all types. Grid connection and charges are just one example. The REA’s work on this is illustrated in the box.
Background: There was a Biogas Association prior to the formation of the REA. It merged with the REA in 2002. The Biogas Association successfully lobbied for the inclusion of AD using waste in the Renewables Obligation. In the early stages of the development of the RO, it had been proposed that Energy from Waste of any form be excluded.
REA works on many embedded generator issues and has representation on following: