Renewable Production

Biomass Power Plant

Leo Group have been investing in research and development for decades and one of the companies next major projects is a Biomass Power Plant which will create numerous jobs at Kintore near Aberdeen.

A biomass plant uses renewable energy sources such as wood chippings and biodegradable waste. Energy is produced typically by using heat to convert the material into a chemical form.

Planning permission and a grid connection has been secured for a 10 megawatt Biomass Power Plant which will be generating enough electricity to power 15,000 homes.

Brian Maguire of Leo Group said “The power plant will generate electricity by using biomass fuel from the companies adjoining plant and UK facilities....  The proposed Biomass fuel source will have a similar calorific value to coal but without the damaging green house gases. The new plant will contribute to the Scottish Governments target for producing 80% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.” 

Wind Power

Energy using wind power is gradually increasing year on year and is one of the cleanest methods of producing power.

Estimated worldwide energy capacity from wind-farms at the end of 2009 was 159 GW (gigawatts). This had risen to 175 GW by mid-2010.

Anaerobic Digestion

The process of anaerobic digestion occurs when oxygen is removed from biodegradable waste material storage facilities; this forces them to break down the material, creating methane and other gases.

Almost any biomass can be processed in AD; including food waste, energy crops, crop residues, slurry and manure. AD can accept waste from our homes, supermarkets, industry and farms, meaning less waste will go to landfill.

The treatment of biodegradable waste in this way also helps to reduce the gas emitted by landfills into the atmosphere. By harnessing the gasses produced through anaerobic digestion, it is possible to create alternative fuels for power, thus helping to replace the use of fossil fuels.

The material left over at the end of the process is rich in nutrients so it can be used as fertiliser.

Through continued investment in the latest technology, we are developing AD plants as a means of reducing not only our own carbon footprint, but those of landfill sites across the UK.

According to the Renewable Energy Association, if all the UK's domestic food waste was processed by AD, it would generate enough electricity for 350 000 households.