‘Meet the Generators’ features a series of short films from Good Energy’s network of 1,700 businesses, non-profits and communities.
Last year they generated 698GWh – equivalent to powering all the homes in Manchester for more than a year – and contributed to customers saving more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The case studies include Fre-energy, which produces 1.5GWh of green energy a year from the anaerobic digester at its farm near Holt, just outside Wrexham.
Good Energy chief executive Nigel Pocklington said: “High wholesale gas prices are driving the cost of electricity upwards and proving that we need to drastically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
The vital role of independent generators
“So it’s more important than ever that we recognise the vital role of independent generators in making the world a cleaner, greener place.
“Fre-energy are inspirational and deserve to be congratulated on their achievements.
“We are proud to be working with them, and we hope their story will encourage others to generate their own power and help to tackle the climate crisis.”
Fre-energy uses a process called anaerobic digestion, where manure, waste crops and food waste are heated in a sealed tank to break down the material and produce biogas.
This gas is used to power a generator to provide electricity and heat. Of the energy produced, around 40% is used to run the farm and rural business hub, and the rest is sold to Good Energy.
The resulting ‘soup’ in the tank is recycled too, providing all of the fertiliser for the farm.
The site is so successful that it hosts field trips for graduates who are keen to learn more about renewable technology, helping to train the next generation of scientists.
Waste as a resource
Fre-energy managing director Denise Nicholls said: “When you start thinking about waste as a resource, it completely reframes the question of what to do with it.
“Anaerobic digestion is very similar to composting but without the oxygen. You put the waste in a large tin can, heat it and then collect the gas to convert it into useable energy.
“The added bonus is that the nutrients are recycled back out onto the land so it’s an absolutely superb ‘closed loop’ cycle.”