Geography Essays | Chinas Use of Biogas
Biogas in Rural China
Chapter 3 – Biogas Technology Development in Rural China
One of the main targets of the ‘Programme on New and Renewable Energy Development in China (1996-2010)’ is to provide 4 billion cubic meters of biogas supply to 12.35 million households. Present estimates on the number of biogas digesters in China range from 4 million[1] to 6-7 million.[2] China New Energy estimates that there are 5.25 million methane tanks in operation in China with an annual production of more than 1.2 billion cubic meters of methane. [3]
The main objectives of the ‘Programme on New and Renewable Energy Development in China (1996-2010)’ in the next
… increase the conversion efficiency, reduce the production cost and increase the proportion of the new and renewable energy in the energy structure; to strive for a big breakthrough innovative process and technology in order to make it possible to form a comparatively perfect production and service system through mass and modernised production; to realise the target on its applications up to 3.9 million tons of standard coal (including traditional application of biomass energy) so as to make contributions to the sustainable development of the national economy and environmental protection. [4]
In reference to biomass energy production specifically, the plan between 1996 and 2000 was to research biogas technology, improving the efficiency and perhaps making other technological advances on the process. The plan between 2001 and 2010 is to apply the technology, as well as popularise it to ensure that the investment put in to research and development was of good value. The specific tasks that the Programme spells out in its plan are:
o “Speed up the replacement of old generations on the applications of biomass energy. Develop high-efficient and direct combustion technology and compact solidified, gasified and liquefied technology. Form and perfect industrial and service systems. By 2000 and by 2010, biomass energy can be utilised with the capacity equalling to 2.5 million tons and 17 million tons of standard coal respectively”.
“Develop methane energy by conversion of organic wastes in breweries, sugar refineries and livestock and fowl breeding farms into high quality energies and in line with comprehensive utilisation of methane in order to increase the value of application. Strengthen the design specifications, standard and the supply of complete equipment in the large- and medium- size methane projects in order to supply methane for 7.55 million households by 2000 and 12.35 million households by 2010, and reach the capacity of 2.26 billion cubic meters (equalling 1.8 million tons of standard coal) by 2000 and 4 billion cubic meters (equalling 3.14 million tons of standard coal) by 2010”. [6]
The approach that is taken in developing biogas in China is crucial, specifically since the “potential of biogas technology for the replacement of traditional energy (about 80%) is higher in China than anywhere else”[7]. Because of the practicability of biogas digesters, as well as the efforts in developing the technology, in China these plants have “sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain”. [8]
Decentralised Technology in Rural China and the Social Incentive for Continuing Biogas Technology
More than 900 million of China’s 1.2 billion people live in rural areas. As the World Bank has stated: “it is hard not to be daunted by the scale of the problem of providing modern energy service to the world’s rural population”.[9] The hunt for energy can be an overwhelming and daily task for many people in rural areas. Hours a day can be spent collecting fuel wood, for example, hours that otherwise may have been spent on education or on productive tasks. Thus energy must be viewed as inextricably linked to the entire notion of rural development, or the improvement of living conditions and in quality of life for rural populations.
Biogas is being developed as a main source of energy in rural China for a variety of reasons, including the availability of resources for the digesters (animal dung, etc.), and the availability of space for the construction of the digesters. Additionally, biogas digesters require a lot of effort and maintenance, and in turn, a certain commitment to their running. Digester tanks “can be expensive to build and difficult to operate. Poor maintenance leads to loss of gas production and blockage of digester tank with solids”. [10]Populations that have an alternate fuel source (specifically populations with access to ‘easier’ but more polluting fuels) will be unlikely to invest the effort in producing and maintaining a biogas production tank, and rendering the system un- and counter- productive. As mentioned before, an important aspect of China’s energy scheme is the focus on ‘self-reliance’, ‘self-construction’, ‘self-management’, and ‘self-consumption’ is particularly relevant to rural communities. The technology is most appropriate for communities with a strong commitment to recycling organic material (or simply communities enticed by the prospect of a free organic fertiliser) and with few alternate power supplies.
Striking a balance between the increasing energy needs, increasing living standards, and increasing attention to the environment in rural areas of China is indeed a difficult task. Nonetheless, where new ‘green’ technologies are being developed, they are more likely to be embraced by rural populations who have little option. Involving local communities in the planning and building of their energy source will have a positive correlation with the amount of effort they put in maintaining it, and thus the energy policy requires decentralisation and an increased reliance on community participation, and indigenous skills.
The Chinese Government estimates that if the technology is disseminated and people embrace it, than by 2000, 7.55 million households would have been methane tank users, going up to 12.35 million by 2010. This would mean a yearly methane output of 2.26 billion and 4 billion cubic meters respectively. [11]
Economic Incentive for Biogas Development
The discharge volume of excrement in China from animals and poultry is 580 million tons per year, plus 66 million tons from breeding farms. Industrial wastewater discharge, which can be used to produce methane, was about 130 million tons per year. Whilst all of this is considered waste, and actually costs money in waste disposal, it can be used to produce an efficient and environmentally friendly energy source with a free resource – if the technology is developed adequately. Most of the cost involved in renewable energy systems is capital cost, “requiring mobilisation of large upfront investment financing in a capital-scarce economy”. [12]Taylor and Bogach argue that the necessary cost reductions will require the achievement of scale economies, technological advancement, improving the efficiency of project design and implementation, and the efficient use of comparative advantages in manufacturing. Importantly, environmentally- friendly technologies need not be viewed as conflicting with economic incentives; for example, environmental protection can directly increase a farmers’ income through forest protection that reduces soil erosion and improves fertility, allowing agricultural productivity and an increase in income for the farmer. [13]
Conclusion
This chapter has outlined some of the Chinese plans for biogas development. It has also discussed the various social and economic incentives to biogas development, explaining why effort should still be put in to developing the technology. The following chapter will discuss how biogas technology has been developed in China, from and technological, economic and social viewpoint. It will also compare the Chinese biogas development strategy to that of other developing nations (with special reference to India), and discuss why China’s biogas programme is more widespread, and has (in that sense) been more successful.
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