Waste-to-energy system to launch in Brisbane

Finn Biogas is set to launch the Firefly MMAD_05, a miniaturised modular anaerobic digestion system that can take organic waste and turn it into power and heat.

Last year, the company received a $1 million grant towards its development as part of the federal government’s Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII).

The platform uses a combined heat and power (CHP) generator to produce power from waste and has an integrated SCADA system control panel to allow for the automation of the process. Different modules can be used for generating biogas or compost.

“Through innovative technology, we are optimistic that together we can make waste work and embrace a brighter future and circular economy through restorative and regenerative energy,” said the company’s founder and managing director, Jason Hawley.

“Organic waste management is already highly developed at an industrial scale; however, it is difficult to manage at an urban scale, as waste generally comes in small volumes and is segregated across the city.

“The design of our MMAD system is tripled layered and provides both social and environmental benefits, including the diversion of waste from landfill, a reduction in greenhouse gases and the production of nutrient-rich fertiliser which would have otherwise gone to waste.”

Food waste is often mixed with general waste, which can potentially cause risks to health and needless greenhouse gas emissions. The MMAD system is intended to divert this food waste from the landfill and process it into energy and fertiliser, the latter of which can be used for green spaces. It benefits from local councils providing and collecting food organics garden organics (FOGO) bins, which can be directly processed by the technology.

“As our system turns waste into energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser, councils will be able to have their own MMAD system — thereby creating their own energy to use within the community.”

A collection of the MMAD systems working together across five precincts would be able to prevent about 1000 tonnes of waste from entering landfill and almost 2700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions from being released.

“Scaled across Australia, we could divert up to 21,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and mitigate approximately 55,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions — in just one year.”

The system is being developed as part of the ‘turning office trash into energy treasure’ challenge led by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and is expected to be launched within the next six months.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/uliab