The BioRist project (February 2016 – January 2019) focused on developing a breakthrough and technically feasible treatment process for fermenting rice straw and converting cellulose into biogas.
In this project, a pilot biogas plant was installed and operated in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam and the system was tested for co-fermentation of rice straw and cow manure. The operation of the system has proven that this breakthrough process is very promising in creating clean energy, reducing methane emissions and creating an economically valuable source of organic fertilizer. Technical factors and products from this process will be integrated into the additional value chain of the region along with consideration of the local factors and specific premises.
The BioRist project focuses on the following objectives:
- Develop a breakthrough technology for biogas production from rice straw
- Installation and operation of pilot biogas plants in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- Research on local agricultural value chains towards sustainable development and environmental protection
- Inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities
The UKAVita project (11/2017 – 5/2018) focuses on issues and solutions to improve existing biogas plants in Vietnam and transfer biogas technologies from Germany. One of the goals of the project is to create a Vietnamese biogas network connecting through an online platform with lots of useful information. This network will provide opportunities to exchange biogas knowledge and joint research and find solutions to the current barriers that biogas technology in Vietnam is encountering.
Biogas technology is a potential alternative not only to minimize the environmental burden caused by organic waste and agricultural waste in Vietnam but also produce renewable energy. However, there are still some challenges for this technology such as: metal corrosion process in buildings as well as biogas-using equipment caused by H2S gas, gas leakage biology due to shortcomings in the design and construction of the works, the discharge of nutrients and softness into soil, surface water and groundwater due to the absence of a system to handle the output of biogas plants. In Germany, through many years of development, biogas technology has achieved great achievements in terms of environmental efficiency. These experiences will be very helpful to enhance and further develop the biogas field in Vietnam. The name of the cooperation project between Germany and Vietnam – UKAVita means the Adaptation of biogas plants in Vietnam in terms of environment and climate.
The project supports cooperation between stakeholders through the Vietnam Biogas Network with the following objectives:
- implementing future projects in the field of biogas
- create an online platform that provides national data on biogas technology and biomass potential
- organize interactive workshops