Implementation of Biogas Programs

Dissemination of biogas technology

Even if today the technical performance of biogas plants no longer constitutes a problem, and even if regions favourable for biogas can be relatively easily identified, the establishing of an efficient and sustainable dissemination structure continues to remain the key problem of numerous biogas projects. In various countries, experiences with the dissemination of agricultural biogas systems exist. To get more informations about this topic, see "The dissemination of biogas systems in various countries". Depending on the stage of biogas development in a country or region, the structure of a biogas programme reflects the phases of implementation:

Research and development Pilot programs Dissemination Networking

A criteria list with excluding, critical and ideal factors for the dissemination shows if, in a concrete case, the building of biogas plant is advisable. Reference information and addresses of organizations concerned with funding, implementation and networking in the field of biogas development can be found under "Organizations and Networks".

Implementation planning

Dissemination and implementation of biogas technology has to be organized and planned. Biogas projects are usually quite complex as multiple disciplines like construction, agriculture, economics, sociology besides planning and management are involved. It is advisable to create a program of implementation that contains the problem analysis, the objectives, region of dissemination, target groups, the strategy, necessary activities, achieved outputs, required inputs etc.

Regional level

Biogas projects may have general or specific objectives. In general it has been proven that the energy aspect alone does not justify the cost for biogas technology. The overall objective, to which biogas technology contributes is the environmental amelioration which includes energy-related objectives and the improvement of living conditions (including economical conditions) of biogas users.

The following aspects have to be taken into account at regional level to prepare biogas dissemination:

• region with the favorable climatic conditions
• existence of a potential target group
• private sector involvement
• informal sector involvement
• government involvement
• organizations/networks to cooperate with
• economic viability on micro- and macro level
• financing program and the cost of program
• material requirements
• technological standards
• available know-how on planning, management, technician and artisan level
• the role of subsidies
• kinds of information, propagation, awareness creation
• assessment of sustainability

Local level

The ultimate goals of any biogas program are to make maximum use of the available organic material and to provide benefits of biogas technology to as many families as possible. In particular, measures must be developed for those whose economic situation so far does not allow their participation in the biogas program.

Representatives of the local population must be involved in finding the most workable solution. The idea of constructing a community biogas plant should not be forced upon the group concerned, even if only by the power of persuasion.

If a decision is made to attempt a blanket coverage with biogas technology, various organizational measures must be taken at the local level to successfully execute the program:

• Assignment of a person responsible for the program (frequently, that person will be the promoter himself).
• Verification of basic data concerning the availability of dung and other suitable substrates, the anticipated gas consumption figures, the size of standard plants and the economic/financial aspects.
• Assessment of the capacities of local craftsmen, of the limitations of material supplies at the right time and the assignment of any work to be contracted.
• Training of personnel and organization of maintenance and repair services.
• Selection of suppliers for accessories and spare parts.
• Securing of loans and subsidies at the time required.
• Securing binding pledges for all self-help activities.
• Stipulation of the sequential order of construction of the individual biogas system as agreed between all parties concerned.
• Ensuring that all those concerned are willing and able to gather sufficient amounts of substrate.

Factors for a successful dissemination

Cost of investment

An obvious obstacle to the large-scale introduction of biogas technology is the fact that the majority of the rural population cannot afford the cost of investment for a biogas plant. A further difficulty is that the overall social advantages can only take hold for the individual in the case of blanket implementation. This applies in particular to the preservation of forests, the improvement of hygiene, energy access for the poorest groups of the population and to the promotion of artisan business, training systems and service facilities. Such advantages cannot be secured for all through the installation of a few biogas plants that only better-off farmers can afford. The gap between their standard of living and that of the poor would thus become even more apparent.

Benefits of biogas technology

The essential benefits of biogas plants are not manifested in individual cost-efficiency calculations. They can only take effect on a general economic scale, and then only when entire areas have become fairly well "saturated" with biogas systems. Thus, individual decisions to invest in biogas plants can contribute little to the propagation of biogas technology, even if its introduction already appears necessary from a general economic standpoint. Public measures for the promotion of biogas technology are therefore indispensable, whereby special attention should be paid to widespread introduction.

If the installation of biogas plants is to serve as part of a social development progress, the decision in favor of biogas has to be made by the future users or owners of the plants themselves. In order to achieve that goal, the following prerequisites must first be met:

• the technology must be made known;
• the advantages for the economy in general and the economic benefits for the individual must be adequately quantified and publicized;
• the technical conditions for the construction of plants must be appropiate;
• maintenance and repair services must be provided within a reasonable radius and made available without an excessive amount of time-consuming official procedure;
• investment costs must be reasonable and the necessary loans and subsidies must be accessible.

Biogas programs that do not satisfy these conditions can only be materialized by persuasion, political pressure or exaggerated financial assistance.

A successful implementation strategy will require steps within the following fields of activity:

Information and public relation campaigns Educational and training programs Financial promotion Politico-administrative and organizational aspects Social acceptance