Overview of Bio-Digester Technology in Selected Countries of Asia

Abstract

Access to technology is vital for alleviating poverty, inequality and improving the livelihood of the poor households. In this context, Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project provides an ideal platform for participating countries to identify technologies through a participatory approach. The objective of this study is to identify such Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) and assess its long-term sectoral transformation potential to achieve socio-economic and environmental goals. The findings of this study suggest that countries like Bhutan, Laos, Sri Lanka and Vietnam have prioritized bio-digester technology as a clean energy for cooking. In the present scenario, the technology is in the early stage of the development and private sector participation is vital for technology implementation through new business models. In order to achieve complete sectoral transformation, there is a need to address barriers such as lack of private sector engagement, capacity building for the local population, standardization of design, lack of various financial mechanisms and government intervention to reduce the cost of technology for large-scale technology penetration.