Criteria for the Dissemination of
Biogas Technology
Following, are the criteria (excluding or critical
factors) which make biogas dissemination in developing countries impossible or more
difficult. The ideal project location will rarely be found. The "ideal
conditions" are stated to make the individual factors clearer.
If only one of the following criteria is evident, then the widespread dissemination of
simple household biogas plants is not possible. As an exception, suitable farms in the
region could allow individual measures that make biogas a feasible technology.
- too cold or too dry region
- very irregular or no gas demand
- less than 20 kg dung/day available to fill the plant or less than 1,000 kg live weight
of animals per household in indoor stabling or 2,000 kg in night stabling
- no stabling or livestock in large pens where the dung cannot be collected
- no building materials available locally
- no or very little water available
- integration of the biogas plant into the household and farm routines not possible
- no suitable institution can be found for dissemination
Each of the following factors will lead to severe problems in biogas dissemination.
Accompanying measures, particularly modified technical developments, high financial
promotion or additional organizational structures within the dissemination program are
necessary to guarantee project success.
- low income or unstable economic situation of the target group
- unfavorable macro- and micro-economic conditions
- gas appliances not available regionally or nationally
- irregular gas demand
- very good supply of energy throughout the year, therefore only moderate economic
incentives for the biogas plant
- high building costs
- low qualification of artisans
- counterpart organization has only limited access to the target group
- weak structure of the counterpart
- no substantial interest of the government is evident
If each of the following conditions is fulfilled then household biogas plants will
definitely be a success. A dissemination program is then strongly recommended.
- even, daily temperatures over 20°C throughout the year
- regular gas demand approximately corresponding to gas production
- full stabling of animals (zero-grazing) on concrete floors
- at least 30 kg/day dung available per plant
- dairy farming is the main source of income
- use of organic fertilizer is traditionally practiced
- farmers are owners of the farm and live primarily on the farm. Farm products are their
main source of income.
- plants can be located in favorable positions to the stables and to the point of gas
consumption
- operating the biogas plant can be integrated into the normal working routine of the
house and the farm
- gas utilization and attendance of the plant can be clearly regulated within the
household
- moderate price of plant in relation to the income of the target group
- economically healthy farms open to 'modernization'
- insufficient and expensive supply of fossil sources of energy
- building materials and gas appliances available locally
- qualified artisans exist locally
- counterpart organization has access to and experience in contact with the target group
- efficient counterpart organizations with the experience in cooperating with the private
sector
- counterpart organization has experience in programs comparable to biogas dissemination
- political will of the government to support biogas technology and other small and
medium-scale farm technologies
- secured financing of the dissemination structure