University of Surrey startup BiofuelAI shortlisted for the Manchester Prize

In the UK, a startup from the University of Surrey is one of just ten finalists shortlisted for the Manchester Prize – a UK government-backed award that supports AI solutions for the public good. BiofuelAI now has the chance to win a £1 million grant to advance its AI-driven software, designed to accelerate the UK’s transition to a Net Zero energy system. 

While traditional biogas production relies heavily on manual processes and human intuition, due to the unpredictable nature of biological inputs, BiofuelAI applies machine learning to optimise operations in real time. The technology can forecast how anaerobic digesters – large, sealed tanks where microbes break down organic waste such as food scraps, manure, and energy crops – will respond to different feedstocks to generate clean energy. 

From adjusting feedstock recipes to forecasting long-term gas output, the platform allows plant operators to make data-driven decisions that improve energy yields, cut emissions, and boost profitability. 

BiofuelAI will initially target the UK’s biogas market, with the project aiming to increase biogas yield by up to 20%. For example, Biomethane, a key component of biogas, can replace fossil gas in the national grid or be used to generate electricity, supporting the UK’s energy security and decarbonisation goals.  

BiofuelAI has been shaped through close collaboration with leading companies in the sector, including Future Biogas, Engie, ALPS Ecoscience, and Nephin Renewables, some of which will be trialling the software. These partners provided valuable insights into the operational challenges of biogas production, helping the team refine its software.