Biogas: how, why and where

The first Biogas SA 2012 Seminar, to be held in Joburg, is set to be a day of practical, hands-on information.

The following essentials will be covered:

• the basic concept of biogas
• how it works
• who can benefit from it
• what is the most appropriate application for specific feed stocks
• what financing options, grants and rebates are available for biogas plants
• what regulation apply
• what benefits are available in terms of carbon footprint.

Presenting on the day will be the IDC who has a mandate to promote sustainable technologies and projects in South Africa and has preferential loans available to fund such projects. They will present their involvement and support for the development and promotion of biogas in SA and what criteria are applicable to qualify for IDC funding.

Eskom announced the extension of their Standard Offer Rebate for Small Scale Renewable Energy in July 2012 and they will present the workings of this rebate to delegates. The basic concept is that Eskom will in essence offer a rebate of R1.20 for every kWh produced by means of biogas that will replace their existing electricity consumption. This is a tremendous boost for biogas projects in South Africa where prior to the announcement of this rebate there was in effect no incentives for companies who wanted to explore the biogas option.

The Department of Trade and Industry announced the MCEP grant scheme at the same time as the Eskom Rebate and it basically consists of a capital grant of either 30%, 40% or 50% of the capital cost of a proposed biogas plant, based on the size/turnover of the company. Certain B-BBEE criteria apply.

biogas legislation & regulations in progress

The South African Pipeline Gas Association (SAPGA) is in the process of formulating legislation and regulations pertaining to the emerging biogas industry. As biogas was practically non-existent in SA until very recently, there were no regulations specific to biogas. Biogas will full under the jurisdiction of SAPGA and its director, Eddie Cooke, will present these proposed guidelines to delegates.

Carbon credits, carbon footprint, carbon neutral trading are all becoming increasingly relevant to most companies in SA. The newly announced carbon tax being implemented in 2013 will have a major effect on tax implications for most companies and they will be under pressure to explore any opportunity over the coming years to mitigate the impact of this tax. A biogas plant could play a significant role in the reduction of such taxes and can also make a substantial contribution to obtaining carbon neutral status for companies pursuing this goal.

BiogasSA and their JV partner, Renew Energy from Denmark has been a leading role player in the emerging biogas industry in SA and will jointly present the practical side of biogas. They will address most of the important sections of agriculture and industry that could stand to gain the most from commissioning a biogas plant as one of the most practical, cost effective and multi faceted beneficial alternative and sustainable technologies.

Who should attend:

• Any business, company, farmer or institution that produces organic waste material and would like to understand the opportunity this waste holds in its potential to generate sustainable energy in the form of biogas.
• Agriculture: Dairies, feedlots, piggeries, vegetable/fruit farmers (especially tunnel/green house growers), packaging plants,
• Industry: abattoirs, food processing plants, cheese factories, wine estate, breweries, bakeries,
• Consulting firms in sustainable solutions, agricultural agencies, departments or organisations

The cost of the one day seminar is R1200.00 including VAT and includes lunch. To register click here.

Please note that this is the first biogas-only seminar to be held in SA and is drawing huge interest, so be advised to make your reservation to ensure one of the limited spaces available.