The Midlands Net Zero Hub commissioned District Eating to produce a series of reports that identify sources of heat and CO² from farms and food waste to quantify the energy available from agricultural and food waste.

The project aimed to increase our understanding of the links between energy and the agri-food sector, while also examining mechanisms for change by highlighting agri-food supply chain opportunities and new business models.

The project was split into three work packages:

Stakeholder mapping – The project carried out a mapping study to highlight the opportunities for the development of low-carbon horticulture by understanding the potential for working with the agri-food sector to deliver local heat and power. This helped to match producers of food and waste from agriculture / horticulture with heat and power generation facilities and identify potential energy customers.

Micro-feasibility Studies – To examine the outputs of the mapping exercise in more detail, three micro-feasibility studies were conducted to demonstrate how a range of opportunities to co-locate heat users and generators could be exploited. This culminated in the development of business case development for three very different approaches.

Future project development – The final work package looks to develop the main opportunities that the micro-feasibility studies highlighted, with a view to directing the next phase of the project.

Read the reports

• Stakeholder engagement and mapping
• Micro-feasibility studies
• Micro-feasibility study – Low carbon horticulture at N&N Mason site in Lincolnshire
• Micro-feasibility study – Low carbon horticulture using waste heat from an anaerobic digestion plant in North Lincolnshire 
• Micro-feasibility study – Vertical farming
• Project identification and development