Yorkshire Water has held its second market engagement event setting out its intention to pursue an innovative, market-led approach to bioresources - the value of the burgeoning UK bioresources market is estimated to be worth up to £1.6billion.
At its supplier day in June Yorkshire Water set out its ambitions to be an industry leader in bioresources. The second event aimed to provide further clarity to the market on the services it is looking for help delivering, and offered a chance to meet other interested companies to discuss collaborative offers.
The firm said it is aiming to be a driving force in innovation and efficiency in the industry and is looking for different ideas and approaches to help it get there.
This includes within thickening and dewatering services, the provision and management of efficient sludge treatment capacity and the outsourcing of biogas management. The day involved discussing current thinking on these services and an opportunity for challenge from attendees.
Yorkshire Water Head of Energy & Recycling, Ben Roche, said:
“It is a hugely exciting time for our team as Bioresources has a huge role to play in reducing customer bills and helping to protect the environment.
“Working differently with our partners will provide new opportunities and help us deliver innovative approaches which will lead to long term benefits.
“Collaboration days are vital, as we can see what each company can do and importantly how they would work together and with us."
Yorkshire Water currently spends around 10% of its annual operating costs treating around 150,000 tonnes of sewage sludge each year, 69% of which is converted into renewable energy via anaerobic digestion at 11 key anaerobic digester plants across the region and is aiming to increase this to 100% by 2020. The water company now plans to offer more opportunities for third-party companies to enhance how it transports, treats and recycles sludge. In addition to creating biogas, the sludge is also converted into a fertiliser, and creating a biogas that is turned into green electricity.
As well as working with SMEs and larger companies, the firm is also to work alongside other water companies.
Donna Rawlinson from Northumbrian Water was in attendance. She said:
“Collaboration with Yorkshire Water at this event and through our ongoing relationship allows us to further explore the synergies between our organisations and to build upon the work we already do together, where Northumbrian Water occasionally provides a biosolids treatment service to Yorkshire Water through our Bran Sands Regional Sludge Treatment Centre on Teesside.
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