CDM Feasibility Study for Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery at Starch Processing Plant in Viet Nam

Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC)

Reports of CDM/JI Feasibility Studies

Title of Feasibility Study (FS)CDM Feasibility Study for Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery at Starch Processing Plant in Viet Nam
FYFY 2008
Main Implementing EntityKajima Corporation
FS Partner(s)-
Location of Project ActivityViet Nam (Ninh Binh Province and Quang Nam Province)
Summary of FS ReportSummary (PDF193KB)
Description of Project ActivityThe purpose of the project activity is to recover biogas (methane gas) by installing an anaerobic covered lagoon (Digester) to the existing anaerobic open lagoon system to treat the wastewater at two tapioca starch processing plants in Viet Nam. The recovered biogas will be used to generate heat energy and substitute fossil fuels. The project activity will reduce emissions of GHG from two sources: avoidance of methane emissions from the current anaerobic lagoons and displacement of fossil fuels with less carbon-emission energy.
Targeted GHGCH4, and CO2
Category of Project ActivityWaste Management
CDM/JICDM
Duration of Project Activity/ Crediting Period2011-2017 / 2011-2017
Baseline Scenario (including Methodology to be applied)Two approved small-scale methodologies are applied to the both projects, that is, "AMS-III.H: Methane Recovery in Wastewater Treatment (Version 10)" and "AMS-I.C: Thermal energy for the user with or without electricity (Version 13)". The baseline scenario for AMS-III.H is continuation of the present open lagoons based treatment and release of methane into the atmosphere and for AMS-I.C is continuation of use of coal to generate heat energy and consequent CO2 emissions from the starch drying process.
Demonstration of AdditionalityInvestment barrier was analyzed for two projects in line with the applied methodologies. It was concluded that the proposed project activities were additional, because both projects would be deemed unprofitable and would not be implemented without the income of CER sales.
Estimation of GHG Emission ReductionsProject 1 (Ninh Binh province): 11,870tCO2/yr
Project 2 (Quang Nam province): 16,449tCO2/yr
Monitoring Plan (including Methodology to be applied)Monitoring Plan was established based on the methodology AMS-III.H and AMS-I.C. Main monitoring parameters are described below.
  • Electricity consumption for the project activity
  • Flow rate and chemical oxygen demand of wastewater
  • Flow rate and methane concentration of the recovered biogas
Environmental Impact AnalysisAccording to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system in Viet Nam, an EIA report shall be required for the proposed projects, as the two plants correspond to the "plant with annual production more than 1,000 tons of Tapioca starch" listed in the law.
Issues and Tasks for Project MaterialisationThe feasibility study found that both projects were less profitable. Project 1 (Ninh Binh province) would be less feasible even if some business conditions would be improved. Regarding Project 2 (Quang Nam province) since the plant owner strongly desires the implementation of the project from environmental point of view, it is planned to carry out the detailed design of facilities and the establishment of the special purpose company for the project activity as well as to prepare the CDM procedures.
Co-benefits EffectsA comprehensive assessment system was developed to evaluate the contribution of the proposed activity to pollution control. Major pollution factors such as odor, water pollution and air pollution are evaluated on a five-point scale, and total score is calculated by summing up the point of each factor weighted according to its degree of environmental impact.