Project GreenShed receives £2.9m in funding to reduce GHG

A high-tech system using waste from cattle could power more sustainable farming, it is claimed.

Project GreenShed has received £2.9m from the UK Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   

The project which is run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will use cattle waste products to power a methane capturing system and grow crops indoors. It will also produce low-carbon fertiliser that has the potential to remove the equivalent of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide from each farm per year.   

The system will use an anaerobic digestion plant that will produce energy to run a methane capture system from waste cattle bedding.   

The SRUC estimate that farmers could benefit from an additional £40,000 per year and having a GreenShed installed in a 100 cattle shed could save £1,000 in fertiliser and energy costs.   

Last year the college received £200,000 from the NZIP to improve the design of the system. Now, with the new funding, the construction of the GreenShed is currently projected to begin later this year in Midlothian.   

Lead on the GreenShed project, Dr Carol-Anne Duthie, said: “We’re thrilled to have received this funding to make the exciting GreenShed project a reality. The value of the project is clear: farmers will improve their profitability, expand their saleable food products, and reduce the environmental impact of beef production.”  

Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of SRUC, said: “GreenShed provides an innovative working example of how researchers, businesses and other partners can collaborate effectively to shape a more resilient, nature-positive producer supply chain that’s aligned with the aims of the National Food Strategy. We are hugely grateful to ministers for their support.”  

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: “This £54 million government investment announced today will help establish a greenhouse gas removal industry in the UK, which could be worth billions to our economy, bringing in private investment and supporting the creation of new green jobs.”