Innovative Australian Biogas Project: turning dairy waste into renewable energy

Project Overview

The Victorian bioenergy facility is an environmental infrastructure project developed by Complex Enviro Services (CES). It focuses on improving how organic waste from dairy processing is treated, while generating renewable energy and reducing emissions.

The facility uses a proven treatment method known as two-stage anaerobic digestion to break down organic waste and capture biogas. This biogas is then used to generate electricity and heat, supporting a more sustainable and efficient waste management process.

The project features a 36 megalitre Covered Anaerobic Lagoon (CAL), the largest facility of its kind in Australia.

How the anaerobic digestion facility works?

What will the anaerobic digestion facility do? It converts organic waste into biogas and nutrient-rich byproducts through a controlled biological process.

The project includes a two-stage anaerobic digestion system and energy recovery infrastructure. Here’s how the process works:

Organic waste from dairy milk and cheese processing is directed into the treatment system.
The waste undergoes anaerobic digestion, where naturally occurring bacteria break down organic material in an oxygen-free environment.
This process produces biogas, which is captured and used to generate electricity and heat through co-generation.
The treated effluent can be reused within existing systems, supporting a closed-loop approach to waste management.
The system reduces reliance on landfill while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

How was the solution developed?

The project was developed in response to a common challenge within the agricultural and food processing industries - how to manage organic waste sustainably without increasing environmental impact.

By applying two-stage anaerobic digestion technology, CES designed a system that captures the energy potential within organic waste streams. This approach converts byproducts that were previously difficult to manage into a reliable source of renewable energy.

Environmental and community benefits

The facility is designed to deliver a range of environmental and local benefits:

Reduction in methane emissions through controlled waste treatment.
Diversion of organic waste away from landfill.
Generation of renewable energy to support industrial operations.
Support for local industries by providing a sustainable waste management solution.
These outcomes contribute to improved environmental performance while supporting ongoing industry activity.

Frequently asked questions

Is this facility burning waste?

No. The system uses anaerobic digestion, a biological process where bacteria break down organic material in the absence of oxygen. The biogas produced is then used for energy generation, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.

What types of waste are treated?

The facility processes organic waste from dairy milk and cheese production, including liquid waste streams generated during processing.

What happens to the energy produced?

The biogas captured during the process is used to generate electricity and heat through co-generation, supporting on-site energy needs.

Are there environmental impacts?

The system is designed to reduce environmental impact by lowering emissions, minimising landfill use and improving waste treatment processes. Overall, it provides a net environmental benefit.

How does this benefit the local community?

The project supports local industry by providing a sustainable waste solution, while also contributing to renewable energy generation and emissions reduction.

Want to learn more?