Handbook

The concept of using anaerobic digestion to produce
valuable biogas and hence renewable energy has actually
existed for many years. However the technology has
continued to be rened and countries such as Denmark,
Sweden and the UK are now championing a true paradigm
shift in waste management. With that said, Australia’s
commitment to wastewater treatment is also growing.
Sydney Water is just one of many wastewater treatment
companies employing the process of anaerobic digestion,
boasting 14 plants with anaerobic digestion facilities. Eight
of the plants have cogeneration (biogas burned in engines
to generate electric power), producing over 53,000MWh of
electricity per year. Sydney Water aims to harness the natural
anaerobic digestion process to maximise its renewable energy
generation and possibly expand its services to customers
beyond traditional water industry services.
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Anaerobic digester systems in Australia are continuing to
be embraced due to further understanding of their benets
and the development of technologies. Over and above the
numerous wastewater treatment plants currently employing
anaerobic digestion there are several organisations
providing grants for construction of biogas plants and
installation of digester systems. These organisations include
Low Carbon Australia and the Australian government’s
Clean Technology Investment Program.
Yarra Valley Water has this year completed designs on its
rst dedicated Waste to Energy facility in the northern
suburbs of Melbourne.
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They have partnered Aquatec-
Maxcon, an Australian Company specialising in industrial
wastewater treatment and building is set to commence by
the end 2014.
Other Anaerobic Digestion plants processing food waste in
Australia include TPI/Veolia digestor at Camellia, Biogas
plant at Richgrow in Perth, plus several others. With more
and more companies announcing their plans to invest in the
construction of anaerobic digestion plants, adopting waste-
to-energy technology, the way we view food waste disposal
is set to change.
Anaerobic Digestion in Australia
Anaerobic
digester
Slurry and manure
Food and amenity waste
Crops and residues Heat
Power
Transport fuel
Gas grid
BiomethaneBiogas
Digestate
InSinkErator offers a quicker and more efcient way of
dealing with food waste. On a household level, food waste
disposers improve the convenience and hygiene of day-
to-day kitchen function. Eliminating organic waste from
bins can improve household comfort and reduce the risk
of attracting vermin or causing odours, particularly when
temperatures climb in the summer.
On a broader scale, however, they can reduce the amount
of waste that goes into landll, with the potential to convert
food waste into renewable energy through anaerobic
digestion processes which capture the gas generated. As
we continue to embrace this technology as a nation, food
waste disposers will play an increasingly pivotal role in a
total waste management solution.
InSinkErator® Food Waste Disposers