Socio-economic aspects of biogas digesters

Nguyen Ngoc Thuy

Nong Lam University, Thu Duc, Vietnam

Abstract

The study provides the socio-economic and environmental aspects of biogas digester performance in the Southeast region, Vietnam. The husbandry has significantly contributed to the households’ income. Pig producers have long experienced in husbandry with relatively small production sizes but positive awareness of environmental issues. The supporting projects and the GoV’s policies have successfully attained the achievements not only in manure management in the husbandry sector but also in many aspects of sanitation, environment, job creation and energy security importantly in rural areas. Using the case study data, the cost and benefit analysis provides a financial assessment of digester performance and the explanation for the case by case variation of monetary costs and benefits. Regardless of social and environmental benefits, the digester systems have been almost profitable. The plant digester has attained higher net benefit ratio compared to the plastic bag one. The greater profitable levels are promising with higher utilization levels of biogas, slurry and electricity. For further achievements, technical supports should be promptly provided for current users, not causing negative externality to potential users. As biogas sector has been more and more mature, it is necessary to establish service enterprises to meet the demand for installation, maintenance or fixing. The biogas programs should encourage the installation without any financial supports, shifting the funding resource towards further high target of promoting the issuance of certified emission reductions in the community. The chemical shortcomings, the weak and unstable gas flow and scum accumulation should be efficiently considered during the installation and digester performance.

Key words: biogas, digester, cost, benefit, Vietnam