Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a technology where microorganisms break down organic matter to produce biogas, thereby generating renewable energy from waste. Biogas can be combusted to produce electricity or purified and used as a substitute for natural gas (NG). Because it provides a carbon-neutral substitute for fossil fuels, while also preventing methane emissions at landfills by processing organic waste, AD is noted as an important part of the UK Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener. This project aims to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enable radical efficiency improvements in AD biogas production. Currently, there are about 650 operational AD sites in the UK, which reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1%. This contribution is meaningful, but modest in comparison to AD's potential. The fundamental roadblock at present is a lack of flexibility. Due to the complexities of predicting how different waste feedstocks and different microbial communities will interact under varying operating conditions, AD biogas producers must minimise risk by purchasing only the highest-quality, consistent feedstock, which may also be seasonal; any errors could result in long and costly downtimes. Thus, available waste streams are vastly under-utilised; feedstock prices are driven up, weakening the economic viability of AD biogas production; and limited feedstocks may need to be transported longer distances, increasing carbon emissions. AI holds crucial promise for the optimisation and future expansion of AD biogas production. As an industry that does not have the central research capabilities of other large energy sectors, it furthermore presents exceptional challenges due to the complexities and inherent uncertainties across interacting chemical, biological, and - if reductions in total life-cycle emissions are to be achieved - environmental systems. The project team therefore unites expertise in AI, process optimisation, systems microbiology, and life-cycle assessment to develop whole-systems decision-making tools informed by detailed sub-system modelling. The outputs will include decision-making tools, specifically: A) a hybrid machine-learning digital twin of the biodigesters, based on novel mechanistic modelling approaches combined with process data from industrial partners and new experimental data from the project; and B) optimisation-based system models of other components of a site, to perform site-wide real-time optimisation through a multi-layer digital twin that includes economic and environmental indicators. By linking the digital twin of the biodigester to feedstock procurement and downstream processes, it will be possible to quickly determine the impact of different feedstocks, their combinations, and their prices on biogas quality, while also tracking quantified environmental impacts across AD value chains in real-time and assessing negative emissions potential in future. Increasing the flexibility of UK AD industry will expand waste markets and lower prices to grow the sector with more capacity, boost profits and productivity, and enhance the overall attractiveness of AD as an investment. Increasing biogas output will help lower UK dependence on foreign NG sources and lower overall emissions from the energy system. The project is supported by partners from across the UK to ensure the aims and objectives can be met, to result in a step-change in the AD industry and position the UK as a global AD leader. The knowledge, tools, and methods developed will be applicable in wastewater treatment, where AD is also used. Beyond that, our AI approaches to systems biology will have potential for widespread application in bioprocessing sectors more generally, such as biopharmaceuticals, biofuels, food, and fermentation. With our network of partners, we will explore potential commercialisation and licencing of our digital techniques to maximise impact and work across sectors toward the common goal of Net Zero.

STREAM will provide a comprehensive strategic review, looking at the capabilities of robotics and autonomous systems for Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) pre-decommissioning and in perpetuity. The main impacts from this project will be the embedment of new knowledge within the industry sector, taking account of the lessons learnt within the academic community regarding the true capabilities of autonomous systems for LTM. The industry project partners are SLR, BMT Cordah, Gardline, and Marine Scotland. They will steer the strategic review, providing context with regards to the current practise and data expectations of the decommissioning community. Reviewing our current technological capabilities, this project will, in-turn, identify the knowledge gaps that restrict the adoption of autonomous technology within the sector. This valuable outcome will inform policy on environmental regulation of decommissioning operations and promote cost effective solutions for in-perpetuity environmental monitoring by offshore operators. It will also assist steering future development of this technology within the sector.

GALLANT's vision is to develop whole-systems solutions for a just and sustainable transition delivered at the city scale. Corporate and political leaders are committing to carbon neutrality locally and globally, often without detailed strategies in place or coordination. This will likely lead to delays and suboptimal outcomes when we need rapid, impactful transformation. Cities are increasingly seen as drivers of a carbon neutral future (e.g., Carbon Neutral City Alliance) because through shared policy and knowledge exchange it is possible for successful action in one city to be adopted by others, creating scalable and rapid change. Glasgow is a model city to lead innovation because it has the UK's most ambitious carbon neutrality target of 2030; has challenging social and environmental inequities that will need to co-benefit from proposed solutions; and is due to host COP26 in 2021. Making meaningful, lasting change requires a commitment to the environment that embeds sustainability across major policy decisions and empowers communities as stewards of their local places. In GALLANT, we seek to work with local partners and communities to transform the city into a thriving place for people and nature. Our overarching goal is to implement a systems-based science approach to solve five environmental problems that will accelerate Glasgow's ability to adapt to and manage climate change. The approach integrates natural science and social science disciplines, putting data at the heart of decision-making. We will create the Glasgow Living Lab, delivering a framework that will be readily deployable to solve emerging environmental problems that show how academic, public and private sectors can act together to make progress. The five environmental solutions that we have prioritised with Glasgow City Council are: 1. Working to transform urban river-edge land-use governance to create functional floodplains and new accessible green spaces for community use. 2. Working to deliver biodiversity benefits from green infrastructure throughout Glasgow, restoring and connecting habitats using nature-based solutions, and matching ecosystem service demand with provision. 3. Working to turn vacant, derelict, and polluted land into spaces for carbon sequestration and pollution remediation that can be returned to communities in line with local needs. 4. Working to make the most of current and planned infrastructure by understanding community perceptions of active and safe travel, use these to increase inclusive urban active travel and mobility improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions . 5. Working to maximise the value of Glasgow green-blue-grey spaces as a Smart Local Energy System that bring heat to some of the most deprived areas of Glasgow.