Biogas Engine for Distributed Generation of Electricity (Biogas EDGE)

The potential for a low-cost and robust dedicated biogas engine, fuelled by the untreated output from site-derived waste-to-energy processes like anaerobic digestion, presents a significant opportunity to address the energy trilemma. Oaktec aim to demonstrate the feasibility of small-scale distributed generation by developing a novel raw biogas-specific self-supercharging engine, with step change in efficiency and emissions, reliability and manufacturability, for application alongside a variety of small-scale biogas facilities. Building on a highly successful concept proved by a prototype fuelled by propane gas, the project will establish the requirements for waste-to-energy biogas, for use as fuel in untreated state and develop architecture and fuel mixing strategies achieve a self-supercharging effect for efficient biogas combustion. Modifications required for robust reliable long-term operation will also be explored and the project will investigate the scalability of a multi-cylinder platform for increased accommodation of different energy requirements.