Swine Manure to Biogas Power Project in Ratchaburi, Thailand

Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC)

Reports of CDM/JI Feasibility Studies

Title of the researchSwine Manure to Biogas Power Project in Ratchaburi, Thailand
FYFY 2004
Main research organizationTAKUMA CO., LTD.
Research partner(s)EfE (Energy for Environment Founndation)
Location of the projectRatchaburi province, Thailand
Summary of the research report (PDF)Summary (512kb)
Description of the projectThe purpose of this study is to review the feasibility and to clarify its problems for implementation of a proposed CDM project where an anaerobic biogas digester is installed in order to treat wastewater discharged in a large-scale pig farm in Thailand.

Thailand ratified the Kyoto Protocol as decided upon by the Cabinet on August 27, 2002. Thailand is the country applicable to “Non Annex I country” that has no duty to reduce global warming gas, and that satisfies the requirements as a CDM applicable nation.

In this large-scale pig farm located in the Ratchaburi province in the suburbs of Bangkok, Thailand, wastewater generated is currently treated in the open lagoons.
Anaerobic treatment of the wastewater by a biogas plant reduces the generation of methane gas that has high Global Warming Potential (21). In addition, recovered methane gas (biogas) is used for power generation.
Surplus electricity is sold under the Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) scheme, and by substituting renewable electricity for grid electricity, the reduction of greenhouse gas due to the reduced consumption of fossil fuel is achieved.
Impurity from swine manure is treated into fertilizer for resource recovery.
GHGCH4, N2O, CO2
Sector of the projectBiomass Utilisation
CDM/JICDM
Duration of the project activity/ crediting period2007-2016
Baseline methodology/additionalityA new methodology is proposed based on an approved methodology AM0006 "GHG emission reduction from manure management system", adding due consideration to the substitution of grid electricity by biogas power generation. The baseline scenario boundary is identified as the current anaerobic/ aerobic treatment in open lagoons and electricity consumption to be displaced in the project activity.
Estimation of GHG emissionsApprox.22,000t-CO2/year.
Monitoring methodologyMonitoring points are indicated in a figure below. The amount of electricity sold to the grid and biogas are continuously measured with a meter. The manure, VS concentration in the fermentation liquid and exhaust gas component are periodically analyzed. Since the flare system is operated intermittently, only the flow rate is recorded with a meter. Methane concentration is considered to be the same as that in the power generator.
Environmental impactInstallation of a closed methane fermentation tank enables biogas recovery as well as prevention of diffusion of volatile odour components generated during organic degradation from the open lagoons.
Issues and tasks for project implementationBecause more than 50% of the income of the project is occupied by carbon credit, financial feasibility of the project depends on the price of carbon credit. In the case of carbon credit = 5 US$, the project is not economically attractive, with 3.8% of IRR. However, if the carbon market price and GHG emission reduction get well-balanced, the project will become more feasible.