A review of biogas applications across continents - Case study of Thailand, Ghana & Denmark.
Abstract
This paper analyses the biogas development within Ghana, Thailand and Denmark to shed light on the different development patterns and future trends that is seen within the biogas sector. Literature review in the form of journal articles and reports is assessed, interviews with agricultural and biogas experts - as well as policy makers within the field of renewable energy - is being conducted. The biogas technology was analysed according to ‘historical development’, ‘feedstock utilization’ and ‘future development’. As far as the future prospects for the biogas technology the paper concludes, that large public support in the form of governmental grants and development aid has shaped the current platform for the technologies within all three countries, and that continuous support are needed. This is especially required in Ghana, where the need for finance and appropriate policy frameworks are required to move forward. Thailand and Denmark has set up support programs and emphasized on using industrial organic feedstock for biogas production, and Denmark has formulated political targets for utilizing organic household waste as biogas feedstock. For all three countries apply, despite their differences, that large unused feedstock potentials are identified, especially within the agricultural sector (e.g. livestock manure & crop residues), showing that this part of the biogas feedstock must be emphasised more strongly in the future to fully utilize its potentials.