RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION. Renewable energy technology for reducing greenhouse gas emission

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RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION Renewable energy technology for reducing greenhouse gas emission *Jeeban Panthi **Dhiraj Pradhananga *Ramesh Prasad Sapkota *Central

1 Background Growing scientific consensus indicates that human activities particularly the intense use of fossil fuels and unsustainable burning of biomass resources are increasing greenhouse gases

This in turn has resulted climate change consisting of change in rainfall pattern, melting of glaciers and sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, shrinking of

About eight million tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted into the atmosphere annually of which developed countries are emitting 70% and the rest is shared by developing countries (Shakya,

1 RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FOR REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION Renewable energy technology for reducing greenhouse gas emission *Jeeban Panthi **Dhiraj Pradhananga *Ramesh Prasad Sapkota *Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal **Department of Meteorology, Tri Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Growing scientific consensus indicates that human activities particularly the intense use of fossil fuels and unsustainable burning of biomass resources are increasing greenhouse gases in the earth s atmosphere resulting global warming. This in turn has resulted climate change consisting of change in rainfall pattern, melting of glaciers and sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, shrinking of biodiversity etc. About eight million tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted into the atmosphere annually of which developed countries are emitting 70% and the rest is shared by developing countries (Shakya, 2005). The earth s temperature has already increased by 0.74 C in the last century and is predicted to increase by 1.1 to 6.4 C by the end of this century (IPCC, 2007). Nepal s share in climate change is negligibly small. The population of Nepal is less than 0.4% of the world population and is responsible for only about 0.025% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. However, Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts (Gaire et al., 2008). Nepal with per capita energy consumption of about 15 GJ is one of the five least energy consuming countries in the world despite the fact that it has 2.27% of the total hydropower potential in the world (Shrestha, 2005). Majority of people (85%) live in the rural areas in Nepal. Of the total energy demands of the country, rural areas share 80%. The rural areas of Nepal rely heavily on forest resources to meet their domestic energy demand, 95% of the total energy is consumed in the domestic sector of which 90% is used for cooking only (CRT/N, 2000). About 87.71% of total energy consumed in Nepal is supplied from traditional sources and fuelwood alone shares 78.14% (WECS, 2006). Residential sector consume 99% of the total fuelwood consumption in Nepal so fuelwood has become synonym to energy in Nepal. Renewable energy technologies shave wide spread complementary technologies fitting well into Nepal s need to diversify energy supply and one of the major contributions of renewable energy technology is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emission (Aryal, 2007). Picture 1: A traditional cooking stove in study area Renewable energy technologies have been seen as feasible energy alternatives for Nepal but its role for mitigating GHGs emission has not been adequately addressed (Shakya, 2005). Though the GHG emission mitigation impact of renewable energy technology is very small, current studies suggest that renewable energy may figure prominently in the world energy future and play a crucial role in strategies for greenhouse gas emission control in the world (Mills, Picture 2: An improved cook stove

2 1998). Besides, clean energy technology like electricity, biogas, solar power and energy efficient biomass technology like ICS and gassifier are also seen as the promising technology for reducing greenhouse gas emission (UNEP, 2003). The promotion of renewable energy technology in energy sector has been emphasized more in the world after the introduction of the financing mechanism like Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation Project (JIP) and International Emission Trading by Kyoto Protocol of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1997 to mitigate the greenhouse gas emission (Shakya & Shrestha, 2006). Now, renewable energy has attracted global attention as a deterrent for greenhouse gas emission and continuous price hike in petroleum products. 1.2 Rationale of the study Developing countries share very less amount of GHG emission but the rate of emission is increasing day by day. Regardless of various clean options people are still practicing burning of fuelwood thereby emitting more GHG. Thus, utilization of biomass based energy resources through appropriate technological interventions has become very important for environmental conservation and sustainable rural development (Thapa, 2006). Renewable energy technologies like biogas and ICS are important alternative energy techniques for sustainable supply of biomass energy in the country like Nepal (REDP, 2000). This study was carried out among the forest user dominated by Tharu community to visualize the energy consumption scenario and their role for global climate change. Intervention of renewable energy technology can save carbon emission, on the other hand, getting financial incentives money from the provision of Kyoto Protocol. Therefore, this research study will be a strong database for the planners, stake-holders for decision making and negotiating for carbon trading in international arena. 1.3 Objectives of the study The broad objective of this research is to assess the role of renewable energy technology for reducing fuelwood consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emission. The specific objectives are: To quantify the consumption of fuelwood in the study area. To estimate proportion of fuelwood consumption reduced by ICS and biogas. To quantify the potential of biogas from animal dung. To quantify the GHG emission reduction by using biogas, ICS and Tukimara. 1.4 Limitations of the study Data were collected in winter time which is high fuelwood demanding season for cooking and room heating. The information of fuelwood consumption was gathered based on community perception. 1.5 Description of the study area The research was conducted among the Phenapati Community Forest Users Group at Dhadhawar VDC Ward number 4 of Bardia, Nepal. It was declared as the community forest in 1998 AD and has 520 family members in the community forestry user group. It covers around 100 hectares of the land. This community is dominated by Tharu ethnicity and major profession is agriculture.

The study area lies at an altitude of 150 meters above mean sea level and ranges from 28 17 30 N to 28 18 30 N longitude and 81 24 00 E to 81 25 30 E latitude. The climate of this site is subtropical.

3 The study area lies at an altitude of 150 meters above mean sea level and ranges from N to N longitude and E to E latitude. The climate of this site is subtropical. The use of traditional cooking stove is the major technology for cooking food followed by biogas, improved cooking stove and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove. Fig.1: Map showing the study area 2. METHODOLOGY 2.1 Research design The proposed research is observational, cross sectional and descriptive as well. The research hypothesis is that there is no significant different in consumption of fuelwood by TCS and ICS users, Biogas and TCS users. The households were categorized into three groups as having biogas, ICS and TCS. The households using ICS, Biogas and TCS were the separate sampling frames for the survey. The households having renewable energy technology but not functioning well were excluded into the sampling frame and included otherwise. A stratified random sampling was done to select the households for survey for TCS, ICS and Biogas. The number of households for surveying was selected ensuring at least 15% sample from the total population. Here, the following numbers of samples were taken from 520 households as population: TCS: 30, Biogas: 30, ICS: 7 and LPG: Data collection Both primary and secondary data were collected for the research study. The field survey was conducted in November and January. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted in household levels each having biogas, ICS and TCS. The fuelwood they consume was first weighed using spring balance to convert the bhari to kilograms. The questionnaire was focused mainly on the consumption of fuelwood in different purposes, fuelwood sources. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted among the CFUG and the tool used was FGD Moderator s guideline. Key informant survey was conducted with president and secretary of Phenapati Community Forest User Group, VDC secretary and school headmaster of Janta High School using a checklist to identify the fuelwood consumption status and future prediction. The survey emphasized how renewable energy technology is widely promoted there. Research journals from various publications, library, websites; books and booklets, official records, community forest operation plan, topographic map from Department of Survey were the secondary data used in this research study. 2.3 Data analysis The field data were analyzed by using ArcView GIS 3.2, Stats v1.1 and MS-Excel To convert fuelwood reduced to greenhouse gas emission, 1 kg fuelwood burning equivalent to1.83 kg of CO 2eqv (IPCC, 1996) was used. For kerosene, 1 liter of kerosene burning emits GHG equivalent to 2.41 kg of CO 2eqv (IPCC, 1996). The given equation was used for estimating biogas potential. Biogas potential (cubmic meter per year) = (total number of 2009) animals*12* 40 *365)/1000. (Shrestha, For calculating emission reduction from biogas, the following assumptions were used: 6 cubic meter of size biogas plant emits 6.83 tones of CO 2eqv per year and 8 cubic meter of size biogas plant emits 8.45 tones of CO 2eqv per year (BSP, 2009). 250 liters of biogas is needed to cook for a person per day in Nepal (BSP, 2009).

4 The following equation was used for estimating the GHG reduction from biogas: Total GHG reduction per year = GHG reduction saving fuelwood GHG emission from biogas leakage (IPCC, 1996). Results are ok but the discussions are not sufficient. Try to compare the finding with other studies as far as practicable. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 3.1 Fuel use About 87% of households are using fuelwood burning in TCS followed by biogas which is 9%. There were many ICS in the area but now they are in decreasing and only 2% are using ICS as shown in fig 2. ICS users are decreasing there because ICS failed for room heating and negative perception of community towards its time and fuelwood consumption. House structure practice is also a major cause of failure of ICS as the houses are very sensitive to firing. Nowadays, use of LPG is increasing widely. A small amount of rice husk is used for warming Fig 2: Population with fuel use technology purpose in winter season. Electricity is used for lighting and kerosene/tukimara at the time of power cut Fuelwood consumption The total fuelwood consumption is the area is metric tones per year with average per capita fuelwood consumption is 1.10 metric tones per year Sector wise fuelwood consumption As shown in fig 3, it was found that kg of fuelwood per capita per year is used for cooking food for human beings; kg per capita per year is used for preparing animal food and kg per capita per year used for preparing alcohol. The alcohol preparation has been practiced by Tharu community only. The fuelwood is used for room heating and warming in winter season but it is done at the same time of cooking as trapping waste heat. Fig 3: Sector wise fuelwood consumption Technology-wise fuelwood consumption Average per capita fuelwood consumption for TCS users is 2, kg per capita per year while biogas users are using only kg per capita per year. The fuelwood consumption for ICS users is 1, kg and for LPG users is 374 kg per capita per year as shown in fig 4. It was found that the use of biogas has reduced the fuelwood consumption by 60.68% which was found significant at 95% confidence Fig 4: Technology-wise fuelwood consumption

5 level using statistical t-test while ICS has reduced only 38.12% of fuelwood but not significant at 95% confidence level Consumption of kerosene Kerosene has been used for lighting at the time of power cut. But, now the kerosene lamps are going to be replaced by Tukimara. The total kerosene consumption in the village is 3,963 liters per year. The consumption becomes high in winter because of frequent power cut problems. 3.2 Biogas potential The total number of cow and buffalo in the area is 1,170. So, the total biogas potential is 204,984,000 liters per year without using human latrine and if harvested it is sufficient to feed for 2,246 people equal to 393 households. 3.3 GHG reduction The reduction of greenhouse gas emission in different scenario is given below: Table 1: Annual greenhouse gas emission reduction in different situation Technology In present condition of biogas, ICs and Tukimara (tones of CO 2eqv per year) If biogas potential is fully utilized and remaining households are provided with ICS, kerosene is replaced with Tukimara (tones of CO 2eqv per year) Biogas ,028.7 ICS Tukimara Total , People are willing to shifting from traditional biomass burning to biogas if they can afford and to improved cooking stove with very low income group. A small fraction which does not have livestock is willing to have LPG stoves for cooking purpose. So, here is high potential of carbon sequestration if renewable energy technologies are used properly. Write only conclusions and you can give recommendations in one sentence there

7 4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 Conclusions The energy consumption scenario in this area is more or less similar to the national level. Most of the people are using biomass especially fuelwood burning in traditional cooking stoves. The use of efficient cooking stove is decreasing due to lack of proper knowledge and people are shifting towards biogas. Electricity is used in very less quantity and almost all the households are using it only for lighting purpose. Large amount of fuelwood is used for cooking food for human beings followed by animal food preparation followed by preparation of alcohol. Total fuelwood consumption in the area is 4, metric tones per year with 1.10 metric tones per capita per year. Biogas users consume about 60.68% less than TCS while ICS users are using 38.12% less than TCS. Biogas has significantly reduced the fuelwood consumption at 95% confidence level but not significantly by ICS. The total use of kerosene in the area is 3,963 liters per year which is in decreasing order because traditional kerosene consuming lamps are being replaced by electric Tukimara. The total biogas potential in the area is 204,984,000 liters per year without using human latrine. If the biogas potential is harvested completely then it is sufficient to feed for 2,246 persons equals to 393 households. In current situation of use of renewable energy technology, tones of CO 2eqv has been reduced annually and if the biogas potential is fully utilized, remaining households are provided with TCS and traditional kerosene lamps are replaced with Tukimara, the total of tones of CO 2eqv greenhouse gas can be reduced from this area. 4.2 Recommendations 1.It is clear that fuelwood is the major source of energy so energy efficient technologies such as ICS should be widely promoted and regular monitoring is needed for reducing fuelwood consumption and saving forest thereby reducing greenhouse gas emission. 2.People are very much keen to install biogas but are deprived of sufficient money and resources so financing system with very low interest should be promoted. 3.People should be made aware about use of clean technology and forest conservation. 4.Government should negotiate in international level for carbon trading and the fund should be utilized for wise promotion of clean energy technology and saving forest. 5.The fuelwood consumption data should also be collected in summer to have a complete and comparative result.

8 REFERENCE 1. Aryal, S., Adoption of Renewable technology towards sustainable harvesting of fuelwood from community forest, A Dissertation; Central Department of Environmental Science, T.U, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. 2. BSP, 2009, Biogas as a renewable source of energy in Nepal: Theory and Development. 3. CRT/N, 2000, Inventory of Improved cooking Stoves in Nepal, Centre of Rural Technology, Nepal. 4. Gaire, D., Suvedi, M. & Amatya, J., 2008, Impacts assessment and climate change adaptation strategies in Makawanpur district, Nepal, A report submitted to Action Aid, DFID and WCDF. 5. IPCC, 1996, Revised Guideline for National Greenhouse gas inventory. 6. IPCC, 2007, An Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 7. Mills, J., 1998, Seizing renewable energy opportunities, In paper resented in Renewable Energy Conference, UK government office of East region, Cambridge. 8. REDP, 2000, An Impact Study of REDP Program, Rural Energy Development Program, Kathmandu, Nepal. 9. Shakya, S.R. & Shrestha, J.N., 2006, Contribution of renewable energy technology for greenhouse gas emission in Nepal: Proceeding of first national conference on renewable energy technology for rural development, October, 2006, Kathmandu, Nepal. 10. Shakya, S.R., 2005, Application of Renewable energy Technology for greenhouse gas Emission in Nepalese context: A case study, The Nepalese Journal of Engineering 1 (1), pp Thapa, R., Biomass Stoves in Nepal: Proceeding of First National Conference on Renewable Energy Technology for Rural Development, October, 2006, Kathmandu, Nepal. 12. UNEP, 2003, CDM information and guidebook: Developed for UNEP project CD4 CDM. 13. WECS, 2006, Energy Synopsis Report, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Government of Nepal.

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