South South Cooperation between Nepal and India on technology transfer for converting waste agricultural biomass into energy

Transcription

1 South-South Cooperation Case Study South South Cooperation between and India on technology transfer for converting waste agricultural biomass into energy Photo 1. Courtesy of Society for Environment and Economic Development I. Executive Summary: A project was implemented to demonstrate technologies for converting waste agricultural biomass (crop residues) into energy during July 2009 to September The project was delivered by International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) of Division of Technology Industry & Economics of UNEP in partnership with local institutions. Waste agricultural biomass is usually left to rot in the fields or burnt to dispose it off. This not only results in loss of a resource but also has impact on climate change and health. Based on guidelines developed by UNEP-DTIE-IETC, an assessment of waste agricultural biomass and its conversion into a resource was carried out. Technologies suited to local conditions were identified. Pilot scale demonstration of technologies was carried out through partnerships created between local institutions, local government and business. Local community was also involved throughout the project to ensure local ownership. To facilitate scaling-up and replication at national level, the capacity of local partners was built. The project activities consisted of: generation of baseline data on characterization and quantification of waste in selected local area (Madhyapur Thimi Municipality); assessment and identification of an appropriate technology based on the Sustainability Assessment of Technologies (SAT) methodology developed by UNEP-DTIE-IETC; design, procurement, and installation of the technology; testing and

2 commissioning and dissemination of results and knowledge gained. A draft strategy for replication at national level was also developed. The selected area was predominantly growing vegetables and considerable amount of vegetable waste was generated from the vegetable wholesale market. About 4,000 tons of waste agricultural biomass is produced annually. Out of this, about 2,000 tons, mainly vegetable waste, are left to rot. The project assisted the local partners to procure and install a technology to convert this waste into biogas and compost. The technology selected was bio-methanation (anaerobic digestion of organic waste to generate biogas and compost). A portable and compact 200 Kg/day bio-methanation plant as a pilot plant was procured from a technology supplier in India and installed. The project is expected to raise awareness and enhance greater conversion of waste agricultural biomass into useful energy. The technology demonstration is likely to instill confidence in decision makers that technologies suitable for application in developing countries are available and can be successfully deployed. II. Actors and Their Roles Recipient Entity Basic Information Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Role Sectors: Government - Ownership of the project - Provide land and financial Center of Operations: Madhyapur Thimi Ownership: Public assistance for technology procurement Initiating Entity Basic Information Role United Nations Environment Sector: International - Capacity building Programme, - Technical support International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) Center of Operations: Japan Ownership: International organization With funding from donor countries

3 Supporting Entity Society for Environment and Economic Development (SEED) Basic Information Sector: NGO Center of Operations: Kathmandu, Ownership: Board of Trustees Role - Carrying out local work including data collection on availability of waste agricultural biomass, technology procurement, installation, engaging partners III. About the project Origins of the Initiative The project was initiated to demonstrate that waste agricultural biomass can be successfully converted to energy. is an agriculture-based economy and consequently generates significant quantity of waste. Preliminary studies showed that most of this waste is just left to rot in the field. Hence was identified as one of the countries for the demonstration project. Organizational Model UNEP Governing Council (Decision 26/3) has identified waste agricultural biomass as a priority waste stream, which can be successfully harnessed and converted into useful energy. UNEP s approach is to develop technical guidance material, build capacity of local partners and conduct technology demonstration projects to instill confidence in local decision makers. IETC has developed a compendium of technologies for converting waste agricultural biomass into useful materials/energy. It has also developed guidelines for assessment of waste agricultural biomass. IETC has done similar projects in Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka and projects are on-going in Cambodia and India. UNEP-DTIE-IETC was the lead organization in the project and provided all the required technical support including capacity building of the local partners and technology support. Society for Environment and Economic Development was the lead local organization which formed the local project team, carried out the local work related to data collection, establishing dialogues with various organizations, organization of all events including stakeholder consultation and procurement of technology. Madhyapur Thimi Municipality was also a project partner and provided the local government support as well as land for demonstration project. Outputs of the initiative The outputs of the project can be briefly described as below: a. Capacity built in a local institution on assessment of waste agricultural biomass, technology assessment and selection and stakeholder engagement.

4 b. Demonstration of locally suitable technology for conversion of waste agricultural biomass into energy. c. Increased awareness and recognition of the potential of waste agricultural biomass as a source of energy. IV. Financial Arrangements UNEP provided funds for carrying out local activities, capacity building and awareness-raising events, and some part of the technology procurement costs (US$ 40,000 in total). The municipality provided land (in-kind contribution) and the remaining part of the technology procurement costs (estimated to be around US$ 20,000). The Association of farmers also provided some funds for hiring personnel to run the technology (estimated to be around US$ 5000). V. SSC Components The technology a package biomethanation plant completed with a digestor, gasholder and necessary control systems was provided by an Indian technology provider, who also gave training to the operators in. The technology was fabricated as a completed package in India and installed in by Indian experts. The technology transfer was based on a onetime procurement, however, it was later learnt that the technology supplier was already in the process of establishing a partnership with a local business to expand the technology delivery. The Photo 2. Portable bio- methanation plant for converting technology transfer process took about vegetable waste into biogas and compost - Courtesy of SEED nine months from the time of the initial stage to the final installation and commissioning. After installation, a team of experts from the technology provider came to India and provided hands-on training on operation and maintenance of the plant. VI. Lessons Learned A least developed country like lacks in indigenous availability of technology. Thus, it is important to source technologies from other countries. The technologies developed and operated in other close-by developing countries are more economical and easier to transfer than those from developed countries. The cultural similarity between South-South countries enables better adaptation of technologies and thus, a more sustained operation. Subsequently, based on the experience gained, local capacity to further expand the delivery of technology can be built.

5 Another challenge relates to availability of funds. Local level authorities usually lack funds for technology procurement. A first time capital assistance gives the required support and builds commitment to install a new technology. Of course, capacity building is an important aspect and should be handled on a priority basis. Capacity building should not only include classroom training but should be accompanied by onthe-job training to give practical experience and build confidence. VII. Conclusion The project successfully demonstrated the applicability of the concept of converting waste agricultural biomass into energy. Involvement of a professional organization like SEED was a very important factor that contributed to the success. Early involvement of the local government (Madhyapur Thimi Municipality) ensured the necessary government support. The South-South cooperation helped in transferring a technology, which is more suitable for the recipient country. It is likely that the technology transfer will lead to the establishment of local technology producers with support from the technology transferring company. The experience gained from the project will be further used in delivering similar projects in other countries in the region such as Cambodia and Lao PDR.

6 VIII. Project Contacts: Supporting Entity Society for Environment and Economic Development (SEED ) Contact 39, Siddhartha Marg, Anamnagar, Ward No. 32, Kathmandu, P. O. Box 8973 NPC 410 Tel: Fax: Amar B. Manandhar Executive Director amar@seednepal.org Initiating Entity United Nations Environment Programme, International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) Contact Ryokuchi koen, Tsurumi-ku Osaka Japan Tel: Fax: Surya Prakash Chandak Senior Programme Officer surya.chandak@unep.org IX: Acknowledgements: The following individuals and organizations provided their time and expertise to the development of this case study: Surya Prakash Chandak, Senior Programme Officer, International Environmental Technology Centre, Division of Technology, Industry, Economics, UNEP Céline Sieu, South-South Cooperation Intern, Interagency & Country-level Coordination Unit, Division of Regional Cooperation, UNEP United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Regional Cooperation, UN Reform & South-South Cooperation, P.O. Box 47074, Nairobi, Kenya