Survey of the Efficient Piggery Biogas Utilization Business in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC)

Reports of CDM/JI Feasibility Studies

Title of Feasibility Study (FS)Survey of the Efficient Piggery Biogas Utilization Business in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
FYFY 2007
Main Implementing EntityThe Japan Research Institute, Limited.
FS Partner(s)Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., KEY, DNV
Location of Project ActivityRio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Summary of FS ReportSummary (PDF362KB)
Description of Project ActivityThe incorporating of a system that recovers and efficiently utilizes biogas that is generated at one piggery in Rio Grande do Sul and eight piggeries in Santa Catarina, totaling nine piggeries, is under consideration. Incinerators for burning the recovered biogas will be installed at each piggery. This will reduce the emission of methane gas, which has twenty one times the greenhouse effects of CO2, and will contribute to the sustained development of Brazil and the region.
Targeted GHGCH4
Category of Project ActivityWaste Management
CDM/JICDM
Duration of Project Activity/ Crediting PeriodCrediting period; 5 years (from 2008 to 2012)
Baseline Methodology/ AdditionalityThe proof of additionality with the small-scale methodology AMSⅢ.D. is simplified when compared with the approved integrated methodology ACM0010, but it has been determined in this survey through the following four steps in accordance with the methods of the approved integrated methodology ACM0010.
[Step 1] The Identifying of an Alternative Scenario of the CDM Project Activities to be Proposed
The two methods concerning “anaerobic lagoons” that are generally used in Brazil, and the advanced “anaerobic digesters” for those that have not been adopted very much, are conceivable alternative scenarios.
[Step 2] Barrier Analyses
Anaerobic digesters require much financing as well as close monitoring, equipment maintenance, and so on. However, anaerobic lagoons require simple and inexpensive technology, and it is easy to operate and maintain them. Anaerobic lagoons should therefore be set as the baseline scenario when considering both the investment barriers and the technical barriers.
[Step 3] Investment Analyses
Anaerobic lagoons and anaerobic biodigester systems do not generate revenues.
[Step 4] Revisions of the Baseline due to Updates in the Credit Term
This is not needed as the credit term of this project is fixed at ten years.
Estimation of GHG Emission ReductionsBaseline Emissions: 28,516 [t-CO2e/year]
Project Emissions: 162 [t-CO2e/year]
Leakage Emissions: 0 [t-CO2e/year]
Emission Reductions: 28,354 [t-CO2e/year]
Monitoring MethodologyThe main monitoring items are as follows;
  • [The proportion of methane in the biogas]
    Measured with a fixed exhaust gas analyzer. The exhaust gas analyzer is to be properly maintained.
  • [The average numbers of pigs]
    Increases and decreases are to be managed by pig type. The number of pigs that has been directly enumerated and the indirect data must be consistent.
  • [The average weights of the pigs]
    The average weights must be counted by pig type.
  • [Biogas flow rate]
    Measured with two gas flow meters. The areas to be measured are exit ports of the anaerobic digesters and the entrance ports of the gas combustion chambers. Flow meters are to be appropriately maintained and regulated in accordance with industrial standards.
Environmental Impact AnalysisThe risks of rivers, underground water, etc. being contaminated can be reduced with the implementing of this project. In addition, the technology used in installing biodigesters and the technology used in the recovering and using of biogas have been adopted in Brazil through CDM businesses in the past, but they haven’t been widely used yet in the piggeries in Brazil. Through the project, the benefits of this technology, which is environment-conscious, and the technology itself being acknowledged and voluntarily adopted in Brazil can be anticipated in the future. Furthermore, it will contribute to reductions in the risks of infectious diseases from livestock because sanitary forms of manure treatment can be accomplished.
Issues and Tasks for Project RealisationThe expenses for this project, for the facility and constructions, would be financed by financial facilities, including Banco do Brazil, Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro, Federal and local financial facilities. The risks in order of importance at the moment are assumed to be risks of realizing CDM projects, CER price risks, technical risks, interest risks, country risks, risks arising from the effects of macroeconomic environments, and risks of natural disasters. The utmost efforts are to be made to avoid these risks so that this business can be implemented.