The Initiative Développement (ID) China program's goal is to improve local living conditions and environmental protection for rural deprived populations, especially ethnic minorities, in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces through the diffusion of biogas tanks. Biogas represents an important potential for sustainable development and preservation of the environment as well as for improvement of indoor air and health. ID’s biogas projects have been implemented in Guizhou province since 2005 and in Yunnan province since 2009. Since the beginning of 2009, more than 7000 people have benefited from this renewable energy. The considerable advantages drawn in terms of health, hygiene, sanitation, development, and environment led us to rapidly expand the project.
Contact Information
Our Focus
Presently, ID is working on biogas in China, focusing on deprived rural populations. All of them are farmers. In Haiti, we are experimenting with the introduction of biogas. For the time being, we are focusing on training centers. In Congo, we plan to experiment with biogas for rural populations. We generally work with small scale projects with the aim of experimenting, improving the technique and its appropriation. We work as much as possible with local partners which, after a certain amount of time, can take over the activities.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
In China, there are no special barriers in the introduction of biogas. The difficulty is in making the project durable. Very often, the populations neglect management and maintenance. In order to face that situation, we focus our efforts on training, long term follow-up and the creation of biogas committees.
Our work is in line with the products sold by many firms which produce equipment and fittings for biogas infrastructures. We support this industrial channel. Family biogas infrastructure is not affordable for poor families, but if construction is partly subsidized, they are then able to buy the spare parts. Often, they are highly interested in buying rice cookers, water heaters, etc.
Biogas is already quite standardized. Nonetheless, many NGOs, Industries, and Research centres work on the improvement of design, technology, etc. Besides in China, there are a certain number of standards very close from one province to another. As for ID, standardization is a condition for the diffusion of this technology.
We are seeking experience sharing in this field. Presently we don't master this kind of monitoring. We intend to set up some baseline studies in this field before the end of 2009.
Relevant Publications or Studies
None noted
Our Contribution to the Partnership
ID can share its experiences and its skills in biogas projects. ID is setting up a database aimed at measuring a number of parameters. This experience may be particularly interesting for others partners. The active involvement in workshops and conference is also important for ID.
