IEA Bioenergy Agreement. Task 37: Energy from biogas and landfill gas

IEA Bioenergy is one of the implementing agreements set up in 1978 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programs in bioenergy research, development and deployment. Activities are set up under Implementing Agreements. These are independent bodies operating in a framework provided by the IEA. There are 40 currently active Implementing Agreements, one of which is IEA Bioenergy. From January 2003 there are 20 member countries to the IEA Bioenergy participating in 11 Tasks covering all aspects of Bioenergy. Task 37 is a working group which covers the biological treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as well as the anaerobic treatment of organic rich industrial waste water. OFMSW is digested in specifically designed digestors or in co-digestion with other wastes (mainly manure). The main interests are the production of biogas and a digestate of a high quality. Collection, sorting, gas upgrading and gas utilization are accompaning technologies. The general objectives of Task 37 are: 1) Exchange and disseminate information on biogas production and energy utilisation. 2)Promote deployment of AD plants. 3) Stimulate interaction between R, D&D programs, industry and decision makers. 4) Assist participating and non-participating countries in adopting appropriate waste management practices to improve environmental standards. 5) Interact and collaborate with appropriate international organisations. Countries: Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom