A STATE-OF-THE-ART shed which will use cattle waste products to power a methane capturing system and grow indoor crops has received nearly £3 million from the UK Government.
The GreenShed is funded by the UK Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and after a lump sum of £200,000 last year, the GreenShed has received a further £2.9m.
Led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the GreenShed system will produce low-carbon fertiliser and has the potential to remove the equivalent of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide per farm per year.
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It is hoped that the building of the shed, which is supported by partners at the University of Strathclyde, Agri-EPI Centre, Edinburgh-based No Pollution Industrial Systems Ltd, Galebreaker Agri, Organic Power Ireland, N2 Applied and Saturn Bioponics, will begin SRUC’s Easter Howgate Farm in Midlothian later this year.
The shed’s anaerobic digestion plant will use waste cattle bedding to produce energy to run a methane capture system. Excess energy will then be used to power a vertical farm and low-carbon fertiliser system.
Project leader Dr Carol-Anne Duthie said: “We’re thrilled to have received this funding to make the exciting GreenShed project a reality.
“The value of the project is clear – farmers will improve their profitability, expand their saleable food products, and reduce the environmental impact of beef production.”
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It is estimated that farmers could benefit from up to £40,000 a year in additional income, while a 100-cattle GreenShed could save up to £1000 a year in fertiliser and energy costs.
SRUC chief executive Wayne Powell said: “GreenShed provides an innovative working example of how researchers, businesses and other partners can collaborate effectively to shape a more resilient, nature-positive producer supply chain that’s aligned with the aims of the national food strategy.”
The funding is part of an investment to develop projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
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