Stoke Bardolph energy crop (Farm AD) - 2 MW Biomass Power Plant, United Kingdom

Stoke Bardolph energy crop (Farm AD) is a biomass power plant located near Stoke Bardolph, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. With a capacity of 2 MW, it is a small-scale facility that utilizes anaerobic digestion to generate electricity from agricultural waste and energy crops. The plant is owned and operated by Severn Trent Water, a major water utility company in the UK. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the UK's Renewable Obligation and the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), which sets emission limits and best available techniques (BAT) for biomass combustion. As a farm-based anaerobic digestion plant, it uses advanced digestion technology to convert organic matter into biogas, which is then combusted in a generator to produce electricity. The facility's small capacity and use of locally sourced feedstock align with the UK's strategy for decentralized renewable energy generation. Environmentally, the plant contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane from agricultural waste that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. It also produces digestate, a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to improve soil health. The plant supports the local agricultural economy by providing a sustainable outlet for farm residues and contributes to the UK's renewable energy targets.

The plant's use of biomass as a fuel source reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers CO2 emissions compared to coal or natural gas. However, biomass combustion still releases particulate matter and NOx, which are regulated under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive. The facility's location in a rural area minimizes exposure to densely populated regions, reducing local air quality impacts. The anaerobic digestion process also helps manage agricultural waste, preventing methane emissions from open storage.