- What kind of infrastructure does the region have in the way of roads, highways, means of
transportation, etc.? The biogas dissemination concept and its timetable must be designed to
conform to the given situation.
- How much of the required material is locally available? How much locally unavailable material
can be imported without difficulty? Naturally, as much locally available material as possible
should be used for building, maintaining and repairing the plants.
Table 9.1: Biogas dissemination strategies (ideal case) (Source: OEKOTOP)
A. Professional-artisan approach
Dissemination of "turnkey" biogas
plants, primarily through professional
artisans
Preconditions:
Adequate capital on the part of the
owners/users
Motivated, qualifiable artisans
High plant density with good income
prospects for the artisans
Good supply of materials to the
artisans, possibly through cooperation
between the statal and private
sectors; statal sector functions as
source of know-how
Measures:
Offering a complete biogas plant, i.e.
a standardized, tested type of plant of
a size adequate to the needs of the
user, including gas appliances
Repair and supply of spare parts by
and through local artisans
Qualification of local artisans for
planning, building and repairing
standardized biogas plants
Cost
reduction
through
standardization
B. Self-help-oriented approach
Motivated, interested users do part of the construction
work
Preconditions:
Willingness to contribute own efforts (building, main
tenance, etc.)
User training is highly relevant
Government or development aid assumes part of the
cost for low-income users
Well-organized biogas project with adequate presence
(despite low plant density) for giving advice, helping to
build the plants, and offering technical solutions for a
wide diversity of task situations
Measures:
Offering both standard-type systems and solutions for
special problems; reaching out to remote areas
The project provides the plant elements that can't be
built by the users themselves
In addition to local artisans, the users themselves are
given training in building, repair and maintenance
The project secures locally unavailable materials
Provision of assistance to the user in the form of
subsidies/loans
Table 9.2: Innovation cycle of biogas dissemination (Source: OEKOTOP)
Regional studies/target groups (ethnological, socioeconomic)
Market analysis (biomass potential, energy demand, purchasing power, market potential, prior state
of development, biogas technique, suppliers)
Analysis of implementation (general make-up and organizational structure, finances, personnel
qualifications, relation to target group(s)/regional anchorage, political weight)
Formulation of concept
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