Environment & Sustainability
Methanotrophic conversion
Methanotrophs are able to convert CH4 into a number of products such as CO2, proteins or biopolymers. Conversions can be designed to be efficient.
Field of Expertise
Renewable energy production and storage
Expertise
Sandra Esteves is a Professor in Bioprocess Technology for Resource Recovery (Energy and Materials) and is currently the Director for Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion based at the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom with over 20 years of experience in biotechnology research, development and full scale industrial deployment. She read her PhD in 2002 from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales, UK) on the control of biotechnology processes using artificial intelligence techniques. Sandra earned a first class BSc (hons) degree in Energy & Environmental Technology from the University of Glamorgan in 1996. Sandra has successfully secured, led and sustained a large number of collaborative R&D projects with over £10M of external funding from a wide range of sources including EU Funding, the UK Research Councils, the UK Government funding bodies, the Welsh Government (WG), and direct industrial income from key companies such as TATA Steel, Wales & West Utilities, Welsh Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent, Veolia, Diageo and ARUP. Sandra established the Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion (www.walesadcentre.org.uk) in 2008, which since its inception had supported over 200 companies including SMEs and continues to provide R&D support to the UK Anaerobic Digestion industry, policy developers and regulators. She advises the Welsh Government, the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) on technical matters relating to AD technology and its innovation. On the international arena, she represents the UK at the European Biogas Association's (EBA) Scientific Advisory Council. Sandra is the co-inventor of 2 patents (one of which associated with a trademark Aeriogen, which is currently being commercialised by the University), 5 trademarks, authored 5 scientific reports funded through the European Commission, a book and a book chapter in addition to over 70 scientific publications with an h-index of 20 (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1475-6218). She has successfully supervised 7 PhD graduates, managed/mentored 13 post-doctoral fellows and is currently supervising 10 PhD students. In addition to R&D and industrial engagement, Sandra has also contributed to course development including on-line content, teaching and assessment. Sandra launched the MSc Renewable Energy and Resource Management at USW (http://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-renewable-energy-and-resource-management/) in 2005, which for over 15 years has been a very successful postgraduate course. She still teaches modules such as “Solids Resource Management”, “Waste and Wastewater Treatment Processes”, “Anaerobic Treatment Processes” and “Energy, Environmental Policy and Legislation”, and since 2005 directed/co-supervised over 60 MSc thesis. Domains of Technical Expertise and Current Interests Sandra’s research has focused in the areas of waste and wastewater treatment and recovery, in particular organics and C1 (CO2, CO and CH4) gases bioprocess conversions design, real-time monitoring, modelling and control, the development of novel anaerobic and aerobic processes, sensor development, microbial ecology, profiling and enrichment and the evaluation of metabolic performance of microbial cultures for the production of energy gases (hydrogen, methane, ethane, propane and butane), chemicals and biopolymers. Work has also included feedstocks, fermentates and digestates characterisation as well as pre and post processing, nutrient recovery (N &P), power to gas (the use of stranded renewable electricity to convert to energy gases or chemicals) for renewable energy storage and biological biogas/syngas upgrading technology development, carboxylic acids and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) production and biotech related life cycle analysis and economics benchmarking. Current interests extend to a wide remit namely the integration of anaerobic bioprocesses in energy storage systems, novel real-time monitoring and control strategies, energy supply-demand modelling, microbial replication and enrichment and biorefining, carboxylates platform and chain elongation based on carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen elements for production of low carbon fuels, chemicals and materials including biopolymers. Areas of particular interest include power to methane and carboxylic acids in support of renewable energy storage and biological biogas/syngas upgrading technology development; microbial replication and enrichment and carboxylic acid platform and carbon length elongations of alkane gases (ethane, propane and butane), carboxylic acids and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Sandra in addition to working on understanding new concepts and principles and progressing science within early TRL (<4) developments, Sandra also aims to work on new industrial biotech concepts scale up TRL (>=4) and is currently leading the business plan for a spin out company for the commercialisation of a low carbon technology related to biogas upgrading and renewable energy storage as well as microbial enrichments. Scale up of the flexible methane production concept, green higher alkane gases and PHA polymers based processes also feature in this coming working period. Biotechnologies benchmarking in terms of life cycle analysis and economics are also an interest. In particular, linked with policy and regulation as well as fiscal policies for novel processes implementation, not only in the UK and EU but also around the world including both developed as well as developing countries. The novel and valuable R&D developments combined with wide contacts and good relationships, which Sandra has developed over the years within industry and government, as well as other academic partners, linked with her hard working values and entrepreneurial nature are merging to facilitate in her ability to take off a number of exciting opportunities in terms of further areas of research as well as the ability to establish commercial routes for the technologies being developed. Professional Affiliations International Water Association since 2006 Renewable Energy Association, UK since 2009 • (Representation on the Bioenergy Strategy Green Gas Group) Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresource Association, UK since 2011 • (Representation on the UK ADBA Cost Competitiveness Task Force) European Biogas Association since 2015 • (Represent the UK at EBA’s Scientific Advisory Council) Academic Recognition • Sandra led a team submission for the BBSRC Innovator Award 2019 and was finalist under the Commercial impact category –June 2019. • Winner for the University of South Wales Annual Impact Awards 2019 for ‘High rate transfer gas reactor for enhanced bioconversion of C1 gas for renewable energy storage’ • 2nd Prize Poster Award for IWA 16th AD World Congress, Delft Bioengineering Institute – University of Delft, June 2019 (M. Darke, J. Donnelly, A. Henley, S. Savvas, P. Kumi, A. Oliveira, T. Patterson, J. Reed, Z. Chong, V. Wilson, R. Matthews, L. Vergara and S Esteves (2019) Ultrasound to Maximise Anaerobic Digestion of Thermally Hydrolysed Sewage Sludge. for IWA 16th AD World Congress, Delft, June 2019. • Awarded the Institute of Water Award (3rd position) for SMART CIRCLE under the Collaborative Team Working with DCWW in 2019. • ‘Outstanding Leadership in Research Excellence Award’, University of South Wales - 2009. • Winner of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) Prize of Best Undergraduate Student (Energy Category) – 1996. • B. Sc. (Hons) in Energy and Environmental Technology Best Accredited Final Year Student National Power Prize Award, University of Glamorgan – 1996. • B. Sc. (Hons) in Energy and Environmental Technology Best 2nd Year Student - Esso Prize Award, University of Glamorgan - 1994. Technical Proficiencies An excellent working knowledge and experience of designing, building, operating and instrumenting bioreactor systems for lab and pilot scale operations for solids, liquids and gaseous conversions to fuels, chemicals and biopolymers and related ancillary systems such as separation processes. A good understanding of laboratory chemical and microbial analyses and calibration and operation of process monitors relevant to biological systems characterisation including GC, GC-HS, GC-IMS, FT-NIR, Quadrupole MS, DNA sequencing and qPCR. Health & Safety Training - Competent user of “ASSESSNET for compiling H&S risk and COSHH assessments” – registered under Achilles H&S (Health & Safety) accreditation scheme. Simapro, LabVIEW, MATLAB and “C” Programming Languages. Excellent working knowledge of Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation and Project Planning packages in the Windows and Macintosh environment. Key Research Interests and Scientific Contribution Sandra has a h-index of 20 and has published 40 papers in high impact journals (including journal with impact factors above 5 i.e. Bioresource Technology, Water Research, Applied Energy and Chemical Engineering with over 970 citations), 30 conference contributions and over 70 other presentations and panel discussions, 2 patents filed, 1 thesis, 1 book and one book chapter as well as 5 scientific reports (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sandra_Esteves2; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1475-6218). A book and a report which have had significant dissemination (thousands of downloads) have been: Monson K.D., Esteves S.R., Guwy A.J. and Dinsdale R.M. (2007) Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Municipal Wastes – A Review, University of Glamorgan ISBN 978-1-84054-156-5 (https://www.walesadcentre.org.uk/ad-information/case-studies/), which reports performance and best practices drawn up from 20 full scale Anaerobic Digestion plants across Europe; and Esteves S., Miltner M., Puchas K. (2012) Review and Guide for Monitoring Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Plants for the Optimisation of Biogas and Biomethane Production. IEE Biomethane Regions Project Report. (https://www.walesadcentre.org.uk/ad-information/case-studies/). Sandra’s work has been delivered in close collaboration with industry and due to non disclosure agreements, publishing restrictions have applied. Sandra has managed/mentored 13 post-doctoral fellows and 17 doctoral researchers (directed/supervised 7 PhDs and 1 MPhil and is currently directing 7 PhDs and co-supervising 3 PhDs). Sandra is an inventor on two patents and has led the work on 5 trademarks registered recently by the University of South Wales. The impact of her work has been felt within academic and industrial sectors. In particular, the aims of the AD Centre have been to facilitate the development of a robust AD infrastructure, to foster innovative solutions that maximise the environmental/economic benefits of the process and products, and to encourage long term growth of the industry. Sandra’s R&D work have led to the development of knowledge and optimised practices in terms of microbial profiling, feedstocks pre-treatment and digestate processing, improvement of process design and performance, and multivariate monitoring and control strategies. This has led to full-scale plants’ regulatory compliance, optimisation and higher yields and even recovery of plants’ from failure. Sandra has driven the development of new and improved products, processes and services, which have yielded commercial and environmental benefits for numerous companies and this has been an important outcome from Sandra’s R&D work. Novel concept developments all the way to technology scale up and full scale deployment and optimisation all feature in Sandra’s portfolio of work. Sandra was the leader of the team, which was finalist for the BBSRC Innovator of the Year 2019 under the commercial impact category. In addition, Sandra has worked with governments and industry in order to facilitate the removal of barriers and increase the technology deployment at full scale (including the provision of guidance and evidence for permitting regulations, planning, the establishment of the QP & PAS110). Sandra has also contributed to the BEIS Review for Innovation Spending Priorities for the Biomass & Bioenergy Sector in 2019, which will hopefully lead to greater innovation and performance of AD technologies and an increase in deployment with greater environmental benefits and savings to industry and society as a whole. Sandra’s advisory role includes: the Waste Strategy Unit in WG since 2006 and is a member of the Circular Economy Research and Innovation Group (CERIG) for Wales since 2018; the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA) since 2010, the UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresource Association (since 2011) and the European Biogas Association (Since 2015) and is a member of the REA’s Bioenergy Strategy Green Gas Group, UK ADBA Cost Competitiveness Task Force, the EBA’s Scientific Advisory Council, and member of the Power to Gas Task Group. Sandra is also a member of the International Scientific Group for the Swedish Biogas Research Centre and also part of the Expert Advisory Board for the H2020 SFS-2016-2017 entitled CIRCULAR AGRONOMICS lead by IRTA in Spain. As part of regulatory and policy guidance, Sandra’s work includes for example the review and update of the Practical Manual for Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas released early 2018 and issued by the UK ADBA. In October 2018, Sandra was invited to contribute to the UK Renewable Energy Association Bioenergy Strategy Study on Green Gas, which will be published in 2019 and is expected to be an influential look at the status of Bioenergy in the UK today, as well as a look at what it could achieve in the future. It aims to update and expand on the UK Governments Bioenergy Strategy. Sandra collaborated and provided evidence to the Institute of Welsh Affairs for the compilation of the RE-Energising Wales on bioenergy which led to the Swansea Bay City Region study (SBCR)(via contribution to the WWU Wales & West Utilities Energy Simulator project (the energy Pathfinder simulator), which then also fed to the Wales RE Plan. The Re-energising Wales project has created a practical plan for Wales to move to 100% renewable energy by 2035. Other Contributions: Reviewing and Advising Sandra is a frequent reviewer for numerous International Journals (including Water Research, Bioresource Technology, Applied Energy, Energy & Fuels) and a reviewer for EPSRC, BBSRC, NERC and IUK R&D proposals. Sandra has been a reviewer for a number of academic proposals for the UK research councils, Innovate UK (Newton Fund) as well as for the Science and Technology Foundation in Portugal, the Czech Science Foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Sandra has also been invited to review proposals under H2020 by the EU Commission. In March 2017, Sandra was invited to be an external peer for the LEaDing Fellows programme, a joint initiative of some universities in the Netherlands: Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University Medical Centre and Erasmus University Medical Centre. It is a H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Programme in which the institutes involved will recruit 90 postdocs for two year positions each. In July 2017 and July 2018, Sandra was invited to be a reviewer of the Newton Prize by the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC), commissioned by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to deliver the Newton Prize as part of their broader Newton Fund. The Newton Prize celebrates outstanding achievement in research and innovation from the 16 Newton Partner countries around the world. In 2017, the Newton Prize has invited applications from existing Newton funded projects and fellowships which focus on India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Sandra was invited for example to feature an article at the Local Authority Waste & Recycling (LAWR) magazine entitled ‘Advances in low carbon biodegradable polymers could open up sustainable markets for digestate use’ (Nov. 2012). Sandra published also other short articles: Advances magazine (Spring 2016) Biomethanation for energy integration - Researchers biologically produce green methane from renewable hydrogen and excess carbon dioxide for energy use; ADBA magazine (Feb and June 2016 issues) Making the most of digestate and Optimising Anaerobic Digestion; ABDA magazine (June 2017) Biomethanation Process to Facilitate Renewable Energy Storage At Grid Scale. Her contribution included also the provision of evidence and guidance for establishing the standard environmental permitting regulations, the Digestate Quality Protocol (QP) and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 110 that provides criteria which makes digestate a product and not a waste stream. Sandra has compiled responses to government, issued consultation responses related to the QP/PAS110 review also in 2013, WAG Bioenergy Action Plan for Wales (2009) among others. Sandra also provided guidance on the levels of gases and contaminants in biomethane that supported the acceptance of biomethane in the natural gas grid by contributing to the report ‘Hazards arising from the conveyance and use of gas from Non-Conventional Sources (NCS). Sandra provided awareness raising events for local authority planners related to AD technologies, which helped minimise the prospect of planning permit refusals. Sandra was a member of the Planning Task Force for Wales established at Ministerial Waste Programme Board (2009) and contributed as a panel assessor for capital support grants for full scale technology deployment including Materials Action Programme for Anaerobic Digestion Capital Support run by WRAP on behalf of Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) in 2007 and WAG Single Investment Fund (Industrial Research) in 2009, which resulted in full scale plants being built. Sandra back in 2009 supported also the WG in their application for UK Central Government funds for local authorities, which enabled the municipal food waste management programme and funded the food waste hubs to be established in Wales. Sandra was also invited to provide evidence to the National Assembly for Wales - Environment and Sustainability Committee (March 2012) and also to the Welsh Government - Energy and Environment Panel (January 2014). In the UK and in 2006 there were only a hand full of AD plants outside the water sector, there are now over 400 AD plants treating organic wastes, and whilst the majority convert biogas to electricity and heat using a CHP unit, over 78 plants already inject biomethane into the gas network. Biogas contributes to over 700 MW of electricity generation in the UK, and equally important is the service of treating wastes and the recycling of nutrients and the sector continues to develop. R&D has the potential of providing growth according to the ADBA 10x the existing one in terms of energetic outputs through the deployment of novel and optimised processes, the use of novel feedstocks and power to gas. Worth referring that Wales is currently World Leader in waste recycling: Ranked second best in the world as a household recycling champion by the environmental analysts Eunomia, within the European Environmental Bureau (EBB), Wales is on track to achieve its targets of a 70% recycling rate by 2025 and zero waste by 2050. Related to food waste recycling, Sandra contributed significantly to the definition of the Welsh Food Waste Management Strategy, which is now reaping benefits and has become a model to a number of other countries. For example, England will likely follow with source segregation of food wastes, which was a recommendation made by work that Sandra led back in 2006-07, which has been adopted successfully in Wales. Another element to complement the separate food waste collection success towards food waste recycling, would be to produce polyhydroxyalkanotes (PHAs) (from wastes) for the manufacture of the caddy liners, which would then also be able to be degraded by anaerobic digestion which does not happen with other liners such as starch bags. During the last 10 years, Sandra has presented at over 70 academic and industrial events including key note presentations and panel discussions at numerous national and international events in the UK, Continental Europe, USA, and Asia (audiences: researchers, plants designers and operators, planning officers, environmental regulators, policy makers, investors and consultants). R&D outcomes and recommendations have been presented across the UK, Europe and rest of the world to widespread audiences (see outputs section). For example, Sandra was invited as speaker since 2012 at seminars related to AD and biogas for academics, government and Industry in Malaysia organised by UNITEN in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia and provided a key note at the 4th International Conference on Energy and Environment, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4-5th March 2013 and later in 2015 and 2018. Since 2012, Malaysia has seen a growth in AD technology deployment at full-scale within the water and palm oil sectors, but further deployment is still required in order to fully recover Malaysia’s biomass resources. Teaching and Knowledge Transfer In addition to R&D and industrial engagement Sandra has also contributed to course development and delivery. Sandra launched the MSc Renewable Energy and Resource Management in 2005 (http://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-renewable-energy-and-resource-management/) which for over 10 years has been a very successful postgraduate course at USW. Student cohorts have totalled over 30 during a number of years from the UK, Europe, Canada, Africa and Asia. Sandra was the grant holder and Manager for the ESF grant on Higher Education (HE) Skills in Renewable Energy (2005-2008), and during these years she was also the MSc award leader. Sandra has been the leader for 3 MSc modules and has also lectured on the modules ‘solids resource management’, ‘waste and wastewater treatment processes’, ‘energy and environmental policy and legislation’ and ‘anaerobic treatment processes’. Sandra since 2005 has directed/co-supervised over 60 MSc thesis. Sandra was the co-director for the Knowledge Exploitation Fund (KEF) Waste Treatment Technology Network (2005-2008) and also the co-director for the KEF Consortium for Industrial Training in Waste Treatment Technology (2006-2007) (other collaborating institutions included Cardiff and Swansea Universities), which developed collaboratively an on-line delivery of MSc modules related to waste and wastewater treatment and recovery and bioenergy production. Sandra has also contributed to the distance learning module on ‘Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Unit 9: The Potential for Co-location and Circular Economy solutions - Opportunity for Integration CEA with Anaerobic Digestion’. 25th July 2019 –Distance Learning Module for Lecture for BioInnovation Wales. R&D Projects Prof. Esteves in currently delivering: Prof. Esteves currently leads a number of significant projects e.g. two proof of concept projects funded by the Wales & West Utilities (WWU) via the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) funded by OFGEM related to novel technological concepts related to 1) flexible methane production to meet daily and seasonal demands and 2) the production of higher alkane gases (ethane, propane and butane) biologically. Prof. Esteves leads also the high profile R&D project funded by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) under Renewable Energy Storage Cost Reduction Programme entitled ‘Biological Integration of Electricity and Gas Grids for Low Cost Energy Storage (BioGrid)’ which aims to scale up the biomethanation technology from TLR3 to 6 (1 out 8 UK R&D funded projects to scale up novel technologies for energy storage). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/716271/BEIS_Energy_Storage_Cost_Reduction_Competition-summary_project_details__1_.pdf Prof. Esteves currently leads the SMART CIRCLE project (https://www.southwales.ac.uk/news/usw-leading-project-help-industry-make-major-financial-savings/) in collaboration with 8 industrial and research partners concentrating on the recovery and valorisation of waste resources such as industrial gases and digestates. Sandra is also leading the business plan to establish a university spin off company related to the development so the AERIOGEN® technology (biomethanation of gases CO and CO2 and H2) being developed. The process is capable of high conversion rates and produces a high quality gas output (>99% methane), can tolerate a range of gas impurities and intermittent operation. The process being developed has a low parasitic energy consumption and low nutrient input. Applications of the technology include: • Maximising the productivity of existing renewable electricity generation assets (reducing curtailment) • Storage of excess renewable electricity as a gas (or liquid) • Integration of gas and electricity networks allowing flexible grid balancing • Generation of low carbon synthetic methane for decarbonisation of gas supply • Allowing deployment of renewable electricity generation assets in areas of high energy resource availability, but low availability of transmission networks (i.e. off grid applications) • Recycling of industrial CO and CO2 for climate change mitigation • Valorisation of industrial gaseous emissions of CO, CO2 and H2 • The process can also be used to produce carboxylic acids, either for energy storage or as low carbon commodity chemicals • There are also opportunities to produce low carbon vehicle fuel as well as chemicals, feed, polymers and to integrate with energy storage. Examples of Key Past Externally Funded R&D Projects • ERDF CymruH2Wales project: o WP5 Recovery of anaerobic fermentation intermediates and nutrients, bioplastics generation and biogas clean-up and upgrading. Sandra has also contributed to the research on biohydrogen and biogas production and the economic and lifecycle assessments of renewable hydrogen and methane infrastructures (WP4 and 7) • Sandra has also led the development of best practice examples and the implementation of innovative monitoring/control strategies within the EU-IEE Biomethane Regions project (16 European partners), where she led the novel implementation of operational changes at full scale for various AD plants in the UK (in collaboration with Welsh Water, Global Renewables, Insource Energy (now SSE) and FRE-Energy), so that biomethane production could be maximised. Doubling of biogas recovery was achieved at one full scale plant and in another over 50% increase was also possible. • EU-FP7-SME ‘ORION ORganic waste management by a small-scale Innovative automated system of anaerobic digestion’ o Sandra was a co-investigator on the project with 21 European partners, from both academia and industrial organisations who worked on systems design and control strategies. • CIRP SuPERPHA project on ‘Systems and Product Engineering Research for PHA from wastes/low value organics’, funded by WG/ERDF A4B o Led the in collaboration with Bangor and Swansea Universities and 12 industrial partners (Aber Instruments, FRE-Energy, NCH, Axium Process, Welsh Water, Thames Water, Loowatt, Kautex-Textron, Excelsior, Scitech (supported by BASF), Nextek and Waitrose). Resultant from the research conducted, improved feeding strategies, optimized polymer harvesting time and enhanced nutrient media have led to significant increases in PHA yields. • ‘KTC Advanced Anaerobic Processes and Biogas Systems’ in 2014 funded by the ERDF/WG A4B Programme o Sandra led work which secured equipment investment to enhance current laboratory analytical and research facilities for the Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion, and to establish further collaborative R&D projects with industry. The project was highly successful with the following outputs being met in the 14 months project: 9 collaborative R&D projects, 38 enterprises assisted, 3 products, processes or services registered, 2 products, processes or services launched, nearly £800k of investment induced and funding secured and 14 further collaborative R&D projects were further identified. External Grants Secured EU ERDF WEFO –BEACON in collaboration with Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities (2019-2022) Biotechnologies for Low carbon energy, chemical and materials USW Principal Investigator ~£4M The Sêr Cymru National Research Network for Low Carbon, Energy and Environment (NRN-LCEE) (August-2018-Sept. 2018) Proposal Writing Fellowship entitled ‘Biorefining of Methane to Biomolecules for Resource Efficiency and Low Carbon Sustainable Growth’ a collaboration led by South Wales with partners in Bangor University and numerous other universities and companies worldwide Principal Investigator £10k BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund) via C1 Network (May 2018 – March 2019) Novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) platform synthesized by anaerobic mixed bacteria in a single step gas fermentation in collaboration with NiTech Solutions, CSIC in Spain and ITM Power Principal Investigator £95k BEIS - Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (April 2018 – Sept 2020) Biological Integration of Electricity and Gas Grids for Low Cost Energy Storage (BioGrid) Principal Investigator £908k Wales & West Utilities through the OFGEM Gas Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) (Jan 2018-Dec 2020) 'Flexible Methane Production to Match Gas Network Demand' and 'C2-C4 Alkane Gas Production' projects, Principal Investigator £30k Government and Private organisations (2010-2019) Research and consultancy contracts from the private sector - collaborators include Welshwater, Thames Water, Tamar, Projen Energy, Warburtons, AMEC Global Renewables, Veolia, ARUP, NCH, Severn Trent, WRAP, Volac among others. Principal Investigator Approx. £680k Innovate UK/ICURe (Sept. 2017 - Dec 2017) Market Validation for the AERIOGEN Technology for Energy Management & Storage Principal Investigator £35k SMARTExpertise (European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Welsh Government)(Sept 2017 - August 2020) SMART Collaboration for an Industrial Resource CircuLar Economy (CIRCLE) in collaboration with Welsh Water, Tata Steel UK, GP Biotec, Bryn Power, Fre-Energy , BPE Design and Support, Heatcatcher Principal Investigator £1.9M Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)/Rhondda Cynon Taf/Welsh Government WG) (March-May 2017) Recycling of mattress foams and textiles to biopolymer and biogas - Feasibility Principal Investigator £12.5k ESF-KESS (October 2017-Sept 2020) Real-time monitoring and control of sewage sludge feed management, digestion and dewatering in collaboration with Welsh Water Principal Investigator £77k ESF-KESS (October 2016-Sept. 2019) Optimisation of sewage sludge digesters through enhancement in microbial profiling and trace metal availability in collaboration with Welsh Water, Principal Investigator £77k ESF-KESS (October 2016-Sept. 2019) Optimisation of Anaerobic Digestion Plant Design and Operations for Improved Energy Production and Odour Management in collaboration with Bryn Power Principal Investigator £65k ESF-KESS (April 2017-March 2020) Investigate the robustness and intensification of a novel biomethanation process for energy recovery for the steel sector in collaboration with TATA Principal Investigator £65k £65k ESF-KESS (April 2017 - March 2020) Production of high chain alkane gases (C2-C4) from anaerobic biological processes in collaboration with Wales & West Utilities Principal Investigator £80k ESF-KESS (January 2017- December 2019) Enhanced green CH4 production with low cost energy storage through a real-time management strategy for AD plants to meet variable network gas demand in collaboration with Wales & West Utilities Co-Investigator £80k IUK/BBSRC (2016) Oscillatory Baffled Reactor for C1 gas Bioconversion for Energy Production and Storage’ in collaboration with Nitech solutions, Principal Investigator £230k IUK (2015) Renewable Synthetic Methane: Integration of Renewable Energy with Biogas Upgrading for Gas Grid Decarbonisation & Energy Storage in collaboration with ITM Power, Wessex Water, Wales and West Utilities and BPE Principal Investigator £40k Loowatt/ Technology Strategy Board (now Innovate UK) (2014-2016) Evaluation of anaerobic degradability of biopolymers, Principal Investigator £70k EU-FP7-SME (2012-2015) Research Project - ‘ORION - ORganic waste management by a small-scale Innovative automated system of anaerobic digestION’ Co-Investigator £3.8M WG / ERDF (2008-2015) Resource Efficiency Programme - Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion, Principal Investigator £2.3 M WG-ERDF/A4B (2013 -2014) ‘SuPERPHA – Systems and Product Engineering Research for Polyhydroalkanoates (PHA)’. Partnership includes Universities of Bangor and Swansea and industrial partners: Aber Instruments, FRE-Energy, NCH, Axium Process, Welsh Water, Thames Water, Loowatt, Kautex-Textron, Excelsior, Scitech (supported by BASF), Nextek, Loowatt and Waitrose. Principal Investigator £1.2M WG-ERDF A4B (2013 – 2014) Research Project - Advanced Anaerobic Processes and Biogas Systems. Funding for largely capital equipment to enhance laboratory analytical facilities for the Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion, establish and initiate collaborative R&D projects. Principal Investigator £880k EU-IEE (RTD partner) (2011-2014) Biomethane Regions project: Increase biogas production by monitoring and control of AD plants Co-Investigator £1M ERDF (Innovation) (2010 – 2014) ‘CymruH2Wales Biohydrogen, biogas and biopolymer production, LCA’ WP5 – Leader WPs4, 6 and 7 Co-I £6.2M ~£1.5M for those WPs CIWM and DEFRA (2009-2012 and 2011-2012) Research Project - 2 MSc Scholarships Director of studies £6k WG/ERDF-A4B (2009-2010) Business Plan for R&D Centre - ‘Feasibility Study for the Growth of the Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion’ Principal Investigator £19k EU INTERREG III (2010) Research project - Wales and Ireland Rural Hydrogen Energy Partnership Contributor £170k NERC (2006-2009) Towards Sustainable Energy Consortium (TSEC) BIOSYS consortium project Co-Investigator £108k EU-FP6 (2006-2009) Research project - REduction, MOdification and VALorisation of Sludge (REMOVALs) Co-Investigator €4.12M Welsh Assembly Government (2006-2009) Research project - Wales Waste & Resources Research Centre (WWRReC) Co-Investigator £560k EPSRC/Thames Water CASE Studentship (2004-2007) Research project - Improving Digestability and dewaterability of waste activated sludge Principal Investigator £75k WAG and RCT (2005-2007) Research project - Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Municipal Waste in Europe’ Principal Investigator £65k WAG (2006) Research project - MSc dissertation related to Anaerobic Digestion of organic wastes Director of Studies £3.6k Carbon Trust (2003 - 2005) Research project - Hydrogen Production from Wheat Industry Co-products Contributor £220k Books and Reports 1. Esteves S., Oliveira I., Williams J., Hegarty F., Devlin D. and Reed J. (March 2014) Demonstrating Management Systems at Full-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants – Cardiff Waste Water Treatment Works (South Wales), IEE Biomethane Regions Project Report (Task 4.3). 2. Esteves S., Williams J., Williams G., Dinsdale R. and Guwy A. (March 2014) Demonstrating Management Systems at Full-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants – Insource Energy AD Plant (Rogerstone, Wales), IEE Biomethane Regions Project Report (Task 4.3). 3. Esteves S., Miltner M., Puchas K. (2012) Review and Guide for Monitoring Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Plants for the Optimisation of Biogas and Biomethane Production. IEE Biomethane Regions Project Report. (http://www.walesadcentre.org.uk/CaseStudies.aspx) 4. Massanet-Nicolau J., Guwy A., Dinsdale R. Premier G and Esteves S. (2011) Production of hydrogen from sludge (Chp. 2) Reduction, Modification and Valorisation of Sludge (REMOVALS) Editor(s): Azael Fabregat, Christophe Bengoa, Josep Font and Frank Stueber. 15 Mar 2011. ISBN: 9781843393450 5. Esteves S., Williams J. and Devlin D (2011) Dewatering of Digestates - Report for the Welsh Assembly Government 6. Esteves S. and Devlin D. (2010) Food Waste Chemical Analysis. WRAP (Food Waste Chemical Analysis) 7. Monson K.D., Esteves S.R., Guwy A.J. and Dinsdale R.M. (2007) Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Municipal Wastes – A Review, University of Glamorgan ISBN 978-1-84054-156-5 (http://www.walesadcentre.org.uk/CaseStudies.aspx) 8. Esteves S.R.R. (2002) Monitoring and Control of Biological Textile Wastewater Treatment Using Artificial Neural Networks, Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Glamorgan, South Wales, UK. Journal Publications 1. Stiles WAV., Styles D, Chapman SP, Esteves S, Bywater A, Melville L, Silkina A, Lupatsch I, Grünewald CF, Lovitt R, Chaloner T, Bull A, Morris C, Llewellyn CA (2018) Using microalgae in the circular economy to valorise anaerobic digestate: Challenges and opportunities. Bioresource Technology 267 (2018) 732–742 2. Savvas S, Donnelly J, Patterson T, Chong Z and Esteves S (2018) Methanogenic capacity and robustness of hydrogenotrophic cultures based on closed nutrient recycling via microbial catabolism: Impact of temperature and microbial attachment. Bioresource technology 257: 164-171 3. Patterson T, Savvas S, Chong Z., Law I, Dinsdale R and Esteves S (2017) Integration of Power to Methane in a waste water treatment plant – A feasibility study. Bioresource Technology 24(A): 1049-1057 4. Savvas S, Donnelly J, Patterson T, Chong ZS and Esteves S (2017) Biological methanation of CO2 in a novel biofilm plug-flow reactor: A high rate and low parasitic energy process. Applied Energy, 202: 238-247. 5. Tao, B., Donnelly, J., Oliveira, I., Anthony, R., Wilson, V. and Esteves, S. (2017) Enhancement of microbial density and methane production in advanced anaerobic digestion of secondary sewage sludge by continuous removal of ammonia. Bioresource Technology. 232: 380-388 6. Goonoo, N., Bhaw-luximon, A., Passanha, P., Esteves, S., Schönherr, H. and Jhurry, D. (2017) Biomineralization potential and cellular response of PHB and PHBV blends with natural anionic polysaccharides. Materials Science and Engineering: C. 76, p. 13-24 7. Savvas, S., Donnelly, J., Patterson, T., Dinsdale, R. and Esteves, S. (2017) Closed nutrient recycling via microbial catabolism in an eco-engineered self-regenerating mixed anaerobic microbiome for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Bioresource Technology. 227, p. 93-101 8. Oliveira, I., Reed, J. P., Abu-Orf, M., Wilson, V., Jones, D. and Esteves, S. R. (2016) The potential use of shear viscosity to monitor polymer conditioning of sewage sludge digestates. Water Research. 105, p. 320-330 9. Kumi, P. J., Henley, A., Shana, A., Wilson, V. and Esteves, S. R. (2016) Volatile fatty acids platform from thermally hydrolysed secondary sewage sludge enhanced through recovered micronutrients from digested sludge. Water Research. 100, p. 267-276 10. Tao, B., Passanha, P., Kumi, P., Wilson, V., Jones, D. & Esteves, S. (2016) Recovery and concentration of thermally hydrolysed waste activated sludge derived volatile fatty acids and nutrients by microfiltration, electrodialysis and struvite precipitation for polyhydroxyalkanoates production. Chemical Engineering Journal. 295, p. 11-19 11. Goonoo, N., Bhaw-luximon, A., Passanha, P., Esteves, S. R. & Jhurry, D. (2016) Third generation poly(hydroxyacid) composite scaffolds for tissue engineering: Third Generation PHA-Based Scaffolds for TE. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials. 12. Popov, A. L., Michie, I. S., Kim, J. R., Dinsdale, R. M., Guwy, A. J., Esteves, S. R. & Premier, G. C. (2015) Enrichment strategy for enhanced bioelectrochemical hydrogen production and the prevention of methanogenesis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 41, 7, p. 4120-4131 13. Kedia, G., Passanha, P., Dinsdale, R. M., Guwy, A. J. & Esteves, S. R. (2014) Evaluation of feeding regimes to enhance PHA production using acetic and butyric acids by a pure culture of Cupriavidus necator. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering. 19(6): 989-995 14. Jobling-Purser B., Thai S.M., Fritz T., Esteves S.R., Dinsdale R.M. and Guwy A.J. (2014) An improved titration model reducing over estimation of TVFAs in AD of energy crop, animal slurry and food waste. Water Res. 27: 162-170. 15. Passanha P., Kedia G., Dinsdale R.M., Guwy A.J., Esteves S.R. (2014). The use of NaCl addition for the improvement of PHA production by C. necator. Bioresource Tech. 163: 287-294. 16. Patterson, T., Esteves, S., Carr, S., Zhang, F., Reed. J., Maddy, J., Guwy, A. (2014) Life Cycle Assessment of the Electrolytic Production and Utilization of Low Carbon Hydrogen Vehicle Fuel. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 39, 7190-7201 17. Raposo F., Borja R., Cacho J.A., Mummec J., Orupõld K., Esteves S., Noguerol-Arias J., Picard S., Nielfa A., Scherer P., Wierinck I., Aymerich E., Cavinato C., Rodriguez D.C., García-Mancha N., Lens P.N.T., Fernández-Cegrí V. (2013) Review - First international comparative study of volatile fatty acids in aqueous samples by chromatographic techniques: Evaluating sources of error. Trends in Analytical Chemistry 51: 127–144 18. Passanha P, Esteves S.R., Kedia G., Dinsdale R.M. and Guwy A.J. (2013) Increasing Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Yields From Cupriavidus necator by using Filtered Digestate Liquors. Increasing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) yields from Cupriavidus necator by using filtered digestate liquors. Bioresource Technology 147: 345–352 19. Williams J., Williams G., Dinsdale R., Guwy A. and Esteves S. (2013) Monitoring methanogenic population dynamics in a full scale anaerobic digester to facilitate operational management. Bioresource Technology 140 (2013) 234–242. 20. Kedia G., Passanha P., Dinsdale R. M., Guwy A.J., Lee M. and Esteves S.R. (2013) Addressing the Challenge of Optimum Polyhydroxyalkanoate Harvesting: Monitoring Real Time Process Kinetics and Biopolymer Accumulation Using Dielectric Spectroscopy. Bioresource Technology 134: 143–150 21. Reed J P, Devlin D., Esteves S.R., Dinsdale R. and Guwy A. (2013) Integration of NIRS and PCA techniques for the process monitoring of a sewage sludge anaerobic digester. Bioresource Technology 133:398-404. 22. Patterson T., Esteves S.R., Dinsdale R, Guwy A, and Maddy J. (2013). Life Cycle Assessment of Biohydrogen and Biomethane Production and Utilisation as a Vehicle Fuel. Bioresource Technology 131: 235–245 23. Premier, G.C., Kim J.R., Massanet-Nicolau J., Kyazze G., Esteves S., Penumathsa B. KV, Rodríguez J., Maddy J., Dinsdale R.M., Guwy A.J. (2013) Integration of biohydrogen, biomethane and bioelectrochemical systems. Renewable Energy, 49: 188-192 24. Popov A.L., Kim J.R., Dinsdale R.M., Esteves S.R., Guwy A.J., and Premier G.C. (2012) The Effect of Physico-chemically Immobilized Methylene Blue and Neutral Red on the Anode of Microbial Fuel Cell Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering 17 (2): 361-370 25. Devlin D.C., Esteves S.R.R., Dinsdale R M and Guwy A J. (2011) The Effect of Acid Pretreatment on the Anaerobic Digestion and Dewatering of Waste Activated Sludge. Bioresource Technology 102: 4076–4082. 26. Patterson T., Esteves S., Dinsdale R., Guwy A. (2011). An evaluation of the policy and techno-economic factors affecting the potential for biogas upgrading for transport fuel use in the UK. Energy Policy, 39, 1806 – 1816. 27. Patterson T., Esteves S., Dinsdale R., Guwy A. (2011). Life Cycle Assessment of Biogas Infrastructure Options on a Regional Scale. Bioresource Technology, 102, 7313 – 7323. 28. Reed J.P. Devlin D., Esteves S.R.R., Dinsdale R. and Guwy, AJ. (2011) Performance parameter prediction for sewage sludge digesters using reflectance FT-NIR spectroscopy. Water Research. 45 (8): 2463-2472. 29. Massanet-Nicolau J., Guwy A., Dinsdale R., Premier G. and Esteves S. (2010) Production of Hydrogen from Sewage Biosolids in a Continuously Fed Bioreactor: Effect of Hydraulic Retention Time and Sparging. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 35 (2) 468-478. 30. Kyazze G., Popov A., Dinsdale R., Esteves S., Hawkes F., Premier G., Guwy A. (2010). Influence of catholyte pH and temperature on hydrogen production from acetate using a two chamber concentric tubular microbial electrolysis cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 35 (15) 7716-7722. 31. Patterson T., Dinsdale R.M and Esteves S. (2008). A review of energy balances and emissions associated with biomass derived transport fuels relevant to the UK context. Energy & Fuels 22 (5) 3506-3512. 32. Varma B.V.K., Premier G.C., Kyazze G., Dinsdale R., Guwy A.J., Esteves S. and Rodríguez J. (2008) ADM1 can be applied to continuous bio-hydrogen production using a variable stoichiometry approach. Water Research 42: 4379 – 4385. 33. Esteves S.R.R., Wilcox S.J., Hawkes D.L., O’Neill C. and Hawkes F.R. (2001) The Development of a Neural Network Based Monitoring & Control System for Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems. International Journal of Condition Monitoring & Diagnostic Engineering Management 4(3): 22-28. 34. Esteves S.R.R., Wilcox S.J, O’Neill C., Hawkes F.R. and Hawkes D.L. (2000) On-line Monitoring of Anaerobic-Aerobic Biotreatment of a Simulated Textile Effluent for Selection of Control Parameters. Environmental Technology 21(8): 927-936. 35. O'Neill C., Hawkes F.R., Hawkes D.L., Esteves S. and Wilcox S.J. (2000) Anaerobic-Aerobic Biotreatment of Simulated Textile Effluent Containing Varied Ratios of Starch and Azo Dye. Water Research 34(8): 2355-2361. 36. O’Neill C., Lopez A., Esteves S.R.R., Hawkes F.R., Hawkes D.L., Wilcox S. (2000) Azo-dye degradation in an anaerobic-aerobic treatment system operating on simulated textile effluent – Short Contribution. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 53: 249-254. 37. O’Neill C., Hawkes F.R., Esteves S.R.R, Hawkes D.L, Wilcox S.J.(1999) “Anaerobic and aerobic treatment of simulated textile effluent”, Journal of Chem. Tech. and Biotech. 74: 993-999. Research Students Supervised 1. Des Devlin, “Investigation of the Effects of Pretreatments on the Digestibility and Dewaterability of Sewage Sludge (funded by EPSRC and Thames Water)”, University of South Wales, 2012, S.R.R. Esteves (Director of Studies). 2. Tim Patterson, “Life Cycle Analysis of Biomass Derived Hydrogen and Methane as Fuel Vectors, and a Critical Analysis of their Future Development in the UK (funded by WG and ERDF)”, University of South Wales, 2013, S.R.R. Esteves (Director of Studies). 3. Pearl Passanha, “Production of Bioplastics from Renewable Resources (funded by ERDF)”, University of South Wales, 2014, S.R.R. Esteves (Director of Studies). 4. Arseni Popov, “Bio-Electrolytic Hydrogen Production (within the SUPERGEN Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium)”, University of South Wales, 2015, S.R.R. Esteves (Supervisor). 5. Ben Jobling-Purser, “Improving VFA, Hydrogen and Methane Production from Food Waste Substrates for Optimised Resource Recovery (funded by ERDF)”, University of South Wales, 2016, S.R.R. Esteves (Supervisor). 6. Savvas Savvas, “Development of a Novel Ex Situ Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis Process Using Mixed Anaerobic Enriched Microbial Cultures as the Catalysts”, University of South Wales, 2017, S.R.R. Esteves (Director of Studies). 7. Ivo Oliveira, “Optimisation of Dewatering of Sewage Sludge Digestates (funded by ERDF, WG and EU-IEE)”, University of South Wales, 2017, S.R.R. Esteves (Director of Studies). MPhil Graduate 1. Samantha Paterson, “The viability and public perception of the introduction of bio-hydrogen technology to Wales with specific reference to anaerobic dark fermentation of agricultural crops”, University of South Wales, 2012, S.R.R. Esteves (Supervisor). Current Research Students 1. Director of the PhD study of Adam Henley ‘Evaluation of anaerobic degradability of biopolymers) (funded by Loowatt/IUK)) (started Jan 2015) 2. Director of the PhD study of Joanne Donnelly ‘Optimisation of sewage sludge digesters through enhancement in microbial profiling and trace metal availability in collaboration with Welsh Water ESF-KESS (October 2016-Sept. 2019) 3. Director of the PhD study of Angela Oliveira ‘Optimisation of Anaerobic Digestion Plant Design and Operations for Improved Energy Production and Odour Management in collaboration with Bryn Power ESF-KESS (October 2016-Sept. 2019) 4. Director of the PhD study of Ruggero Bellini ‘Investigate the robustness and intensification of a novel biomethanation process for energy recovery for the steel sector’ in collaboration with TATA, ESF-KESS (April 2017-March 2020) 5. Director of the PhD study of Melanie Johnson ‘Production of high chain alkane gases (C2-C4) from anaerobic biological processes in collaboration with Wales & West Utilities, ESF-KESS’ (April 2017 - March 2020) 6. Director of PhD study of Ciaran Burns ‘Enhanced green CH4 production with low cost energy storage through a real-time management strategy for AD plants to meet variable network gas demand in collaboration with Wales & West Utilities, ESF-KESS (January 2017- December 2019) 7. Director of the PhD study of Michael Darke ‘Real-time monitoring and control of sewage sludge feed management, digestion and dewatering’ in collaboration with Welsh Water, ESF-KESS (October 2017-Sept 2020) 8. Co-supervisor of PhD of Abdulmula M A Mohamed ‘The integration of renewable energy generation into the oil and gas industry’ (April 2018 – March 2021) 9. Co-supervisor of PhD of Dario Owens ‘The investigation of the use of Sterimelt technology to recycle hospital polypropylene waste’ in collaboration with Thermal Compact Group, ESF-KESS (October 2018 – September 2021) Selected Presentations 1. High Rate Biomethanation Delivered by Mixed Microbial Cultures – Pathways and Performance. AD network Research Colloquium, Manchester, 25th January 2019 2. Novel PHA Platform Synthesized By Anaerobic Mixed Bacteria in a Single Step Gas Fermentation. C1net Event in Nottingham University, 21st January 2019 3. Biological Integration of Electricity and Gas Grids for Low Cost Energy Storage (BioGrid). Institute of Sustainable Energy, Research Seminar 28th August 2018, UNITEN, Malaysia 4. Intensifying efficiencies and reducing the parasitic energy load of power to gas systems UK presented at the UK AD and World Biogas Expo 2018, NEC Birmingham, 12th July 2018 5. Development of a chemical matrix pattern recognition tool in support of enhanced environment standards in AD plants presented at the UK AD and World Biogas Expo 2018, NEC Birmingham, 12th July 2018 6. Transforming Resources for a Low Carbon Circular Economy, presented at IEMA - Environmental Innovation Wales, in Cardiff 26th June 2018 7. High Rate Biomethanation Delivered by Mixed Microbial Cultures – Pathways and Performance, presented at REGATEC in Toulouse (France) 4th May 2018 8. AERIOGEN process: A novel power to methane biological conversion process with a low parasitic energy load, presented at the UK Biomethane Day organised by the REA in Birmingham 2nd May 2018 9. Valorisation of Animal By Products for Energy, Nutrients and Biopolymers to be presented at Aberystwyth University and organised by Meat Promotion Wales, 15th March 2018 10. Anaerobic Biorefineries: Potential Integration and Contribution to the Energy, Chemical and Materials Sectors, Seminar presented at Oxford University 22nd February 2018 11. Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion and Latest R&D presented at a Knowledge Transfer event for the Natural Resources Wales, organised by Wales AD Centre and Biogas Action, Pontypridd, 9th February 2018 12. New Propellants - Green Alkane Gases presented at the Aerosols/Cosmetics Annual ADF/PCD Conference in Paris, 1st February 2018 13. Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion and Latest R&D presented at a Knowledge Transfer event for the Wales & West Utilities, organised by Wales AD Centre in Pontypridd on 19th January 2018 14. Commercialisation of the AERIOGEN Process at the iCURe Options Roundabout 7th December 2017 in London 15. Valorising digestates as microbial inoculants for chemicals, energy and biopolymers production presented at the NRN-LCEE workshop: developing circular economy solutions using algae to reduce agricultural nitrate pollution and develop feed products in Cardiff on the 10th October 2017. 16. New Propellants - Green Alkane Gases presented at the Aerosols/Cosmetics Annual ADF/PCD Conference in New York, 7th September 2017 17. Optimising a 3D System – Chemical and Engineering Interactions with Anaerobic Microbial Catalysts ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 18. Bioresource Recovery from Organic and Inorganic Wastes to Organic Acids and Biopolymers, ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 19. Monitoring methanogenic population dynamics in a full scale digester, ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 20. Redesigning AD Technology for Resource Recovery, Energy Production and Storage, Chemicals and Biopolymers Production, Seminar at University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia, 10th July 2017 21. Case Study: SMART Collaboration for an Industrial Resource CircuLar Economy (CIRCLE) Project, Presentation to the Reid Review Panel Meeting, Atrium, University of South Wales, 5th July 2017 22. Bioresource Recovery from Organic and Inorganic Wastes to Organic Acids and Biopolymers, ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 23. Monitoring methanogenic population dynamics in full scale digester, ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 24. Optimising a 3D System – Chemical and Engineering Interactions with Anaerobic Microbial Catalysts ADBA World Expo 2017, NEC, Birmingham, 6th July 2017 25. Triangles, Circles and Fractals: The Evolution of Resource Efficiency in the 21st Century, Sandra Esteves Professorial Inaugural Lecture, 16th May 2017 University of South Wales 26. The Waste Valorisation Event in Cardiff by WRAP 3rd May 2017, presentation entitled ‘Valorising Organic Wastes and Inorganic Gases for a Low Carbon Economy’ 27. British Aerosols Manufacturers' Association (BAMA) Innovation Day - 18th April 2017 Manchester, presentation entitled 'Green Alkane Gases Production' 28. Wales & West Utilities Stakeholder Workshop - Discuss Connection of alternative gas to WWU's network, 27th March 2017 Bristol, presentation entitled ‘Redesigning Anaerobic Digestion Technology for Flexible Green Gases Production’ 29. 'Energy from Wastes in Azores' Workshop ‘Scope of Power to Gas in Azores’ - November 2016 30. ADBA R&I Hub Event ‘The role of anaerobic processes in the production of green methane and chemicals’ July 2016 in Birmingham 31. Keynote Presentation – Redesigning Anaerobic Digestion Technology – Resource Recovery, Energy Production and Storage, Chemicals and Materials Production, ICARET 2016 23rd February 2016, Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia 32. Advances in Biogas Upgrading & Injection – Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis: Performance & robustness of a self-regenerative biocatalyst AERIOGEN® European Biomethane Conference, 12th October 2015, Berlin 33. Advances in Biogas Upgrading – Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis: Performance & robustness of a self regenerative biocatalyst AERIOGEN®, REGATEC Barcelona, 7-8 May 2015 34. Round Table ‘Biomethanation – Biogas Upgrading and Renewable Energy Storage through Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis’, BioGas UK, 19-20th November 2014, Maple House, Birmingham 35. Panel Discussion ‘Feedstocks Supply and Demand - Addressing the challenges around feedstock security’ RWM 2014, 16th September 2014, NEC Birmingham 36. Process Optimisation Through Advanced Monitoring: Recent Research and Facilities Related to PHA and Biogas Production Processes. 22nd August 2014, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia 37. Advanced Monitoring of Digesters - Chemical Multi-parameterization and Microbial Population Profiling. Seminar on Anaerobic Digestion – Advancements in Anaerobic Digestion, 19th August 2014, Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia 38. Future Trends and Advancements in Anaerobic Digestion. Seminar on Anaerobic Digestion – Advancements in Anaerobic Digestion, 19th August 2014, Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia 39. Resource and Energy Recovery in Wales, Sustainability Live! Birmingham, 3rd April 2014 40. Importance of Process Monitoring in Optimising Biogas Production, BIOGAS13 Congress, 4th December 2013 - St Pölten, Austria 41. Research Needs and Opportunities in Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas, Sector Panel Discussion ADBA R&D Forum, 12-13 November 2013, Guisborough, UK 42. Controlling Digesters’ Chemical Matrices to Drive Microbial Communities and Produce More Biogas’, ADBA R&D Forum, 12-13 November 2013, Guisborough, UK 43. Operational Control and Optimisation of a Full-scale Digester Based on Multi-parameter Monitoring Including Microbial Population Profiles, ADBA, UK AD & BIOGAS, 3-4 July 2013, Birmingham 44. Digestates in a Biorefinery Application: Biopolymer Production, ADBA, UK AD & BIOGAS, 3-4 July 2013, Birmingham 45. ‘Making Polymers Out of Digestate’ – Biogaz Europe, Nantes France 20-21st March 2013 46. 'Anaerobic Digestion Process - Optimisation and Innovations for Increased Energy Generation and Sustainability' Key note - 4th International Conference on Energy and Environment, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4-5th March 2013 47. Low Carbon Biopolymers, Chemicals and Gases from Wastes – LCRI Conference Cardiff, 12-13th November 2012 48. The Status of AD & Biogas Upgrading in Wales and the UK - FUEL – Saving Money via Resource Management, Alternative Sources, Conversion to more Valuable and Environmental Fuels in collaboration with Logistics Sector Skills, 17th September 2012, Upper Glyntaff, University of Glamorgan 49. Integration of Anaerobic Digestion & Biopolymers - Making the recycling loop work! Leading IB: Focus on Bio-Based Products 13th Sept 2012 Birmingham 50. Research & Innovation in Waste Treatment, Renewable Energy and Generation Of Green Products - 19th July 2012, UNITEN - Indah Water Konsortium, Kuala Lumpur STWs, Malaysia 51. Microbial Profiling - A Valuable Tool for Understanding and Controlling Anaerobic Digesters – ADBA UK AD & BIOGAS Trade Show and Conference 4th and 5th July 2012 NEC Birmingham 52. Integration of AD and Bioplastics - Making the recycling loop work! – ADBA UK AD & BIOGAS Trade Show and Conference 4th and 5th July 2012 NEC Birmingham 53. An Evaluation of Technologies Available to Enhance the Use of Digestate - Example: Biopolymer Production - ADBA annual AD R&D Forum 24 April 2012, FERA, York 54. The Value of Anaerobic Process Gases and Intermediates in Non-energy Applications - High Value Products from Anaerobic Processes - New Market Opportunities, 26 January 2012 - Bangor 55. Recycling Bioplastics Through AD Processes – High Value Products from Anaerobic Processes - New Market Opportunities, 26 January 2012 - Bangor 56. Maximising Anaerobic Digestion Outputs for a Recycling Economy - ADBA annual AD R&D Forum 1st - 2nd November 2011 – Bristol 57. Monitoring and Control Regimes for Keeping the Anaerobic Consortia Happy. UK AD & BIOGAS Trade Show and Conference 6th July 2011 NEC Birmingham 58. Status of AD/Biogas/Biomethane in England and Wales - Biomethane Regions Project - Kick off Meeting 24-25th May 2011 – Cardiff, South Wales 59. Monitoring and Control Regimes in Anaerobic Digestion Systems - Inaugural Bio-Methane Regions Event - Training the Trainers 26 - 27th May 2011 - University of Glamorgan, South Wales 60. Introduction to the Anaerobic Digestion Process for Food Wastes and Anaerobic Processes and Biogas Activity at the University of Glamorgan 4th February 2011 – Burges Salmon office (Bristol) 61. Anaerobic Digestion. Seminar CIWM South West and Wales 11th November 2010 – Bristol 62. ‘Anaerobic Digestion - A Low Carbon Technology (Biodegradable Municipal Waste Treatment and Energy Production’ 8th Wales National Waste Management Conference County Hall, 12th February 2009, Cardiff Bay 63. ‘Anaerobic Digestion - What is it and what can it do?’ - South West Wales Regional Waste Management Joint Committee Meeting - Neath Civic Centre, 3rd April 2009 64. 'Role of Anaerobic Digestion in a Sustainable Wales', Anaerobic Digestion and the Planning Process Workshop. Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, 25th June 2009 65. The Wales Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion - Role and Activities’, Implementing Anaerobic digestion in Wales Workshop. Cardiff City Hall, 11th November 2008 66. ‘Anaerobic Digestion Technology for Waste Treatment and Energy Production’, Llandrindod Wells, 18th September 2008 67. ‘Anaerobic Digestion Technology for Biodegradable Municipal Waste Treatment and Energy Production’, Conference on Energy from Waste in Wales 2007 – Sustainable waste management; Innovative energy development, All Nations Centre, Cardiff, 5th July 2007. 68. ‘Optimising Existing Assets’ Workshop of EPSRC Network for the Sustainable Use of Energy in Water and Wastewater Treatment. Cranfield University, 12th September 2006. 69. ‘1st Workshop on Anaerobic Digestion Solutions for the UK’, Pontypridd, 2nd and 3rd November 2004. 70. The Science and Technology of Anaerobic Digestion’, DTI-Biowise Workshop, Pontypridd, 15th of September 2004.