UNCCD

Growing Euphorbia tirucalli as biogas feedstock [Netherlands]

Reporting Entity: Netherlands

Clarify if the technology described in the template, or a part of it, is covered by property rights: Nee

Completeness: 74%

General Information

General Information

Title of best practice:

Growing Euphorbia tirucalli as biogas feedstock

Country:

Netherlands

Reporting Entity:

Netherlands

Property Rights

Clarify if the technology described in the template, or a part of it, is covered by property rights:

Nee

Specifications

Section 1. Context of the best practice: frame conditions (natural and human environment)

Short description of the best practice

Euphorbia tirucalli can be planted as feed-stock for bio-gas. The plant can be easily propagated by cuttings and establishes quickly. Within 1 year up to 2 years depending on plant density a fully ground covered plantation can be reached. The plant can be coppiced up to 20 centimeter from ground level and will grow back in 1 year. Depending on the availability of water and nutrients, temperature and radiation biomass production can vary from 3 to 50 MT of Dry Matter per hectare per year.    The plant can be harvested and used at anytime in the year. Cut off branches are ground in a hammer-mill or other device and can then be used as primary or secondary feed-stock for bio-gas production. The residues of bio-gas production (slurry) is fed back to the plantation to ensure nutrient recycling.  The bio-gas can be used for cooking or production of electricity, thus creating local energy security and independence from fossil fuels from abroad.|

Location

Mali, Colombia, Somaliland|

Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.

Semi-Arid hot climate
any
Any soil type, including saline soils|

Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby

Low
Animal husbandry, agriculture

On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?

The plant tolerates saline soils. The plant tolerates extreme dry spells. The plant biomass can be harvested all year round and used as feed-stock.  It has a potential to produce large amounts of biomass per hectare per year. Once a plantation is established it will produce for a least 20 years before having to replant.

Section 2. Problems addressed (direct and indirect causes) and objectives of the best practice

Main problems addressed by the best practice

- Bio-energy feed-stock for arid, saline, degraded soils
- All year round need for bio-gas feed-stock (buffer function)|

Outline specific land degradation problems addressed by the best practice

Arid, saline, degraded soils can become productive again|

Specify the objectives of the best practice

Combine reintroduction of vegetation with bio-energy

Section 3. Activities

Brief description of main activities, by objective

- Establish Euphorbia tirucalli plantations
- Seasonally coppice the plants and process the harvested biomass
- Biogas production for local uses (cooking, electricity)|

Section 4. Institutions/actors involved (collaboration, participation, role of stakeholders)

Name and address of the institution developing the technology

Ecoenergy Business Group Colombia & FACT Foundation|Fact Foundation, P.O.Box 210 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands
phone +31-317-427395; e-mail: yj.franken@fact-foundation.com
www.fact-foundation.com

Was the technology developed in partnership?

Ja

List the partners:

Ecoenergy Business Group Colombia & FACT Foundation

Specify the framework within which the technology was promoted

  • Local initiative
  • International initiative

Was the participation of local stakeholders, including CSOs, fostered in the development of the technology?

Ja

List local stakeholders involved:

- Local entrepreneurs
- Local village communities

For the stakeholders listed above, specify their role in the design, introduction, use and maintenance of the technology, if any.

-

Was the population living in the location and/or nearby involved in the development of the technology?

Nee

Analysis

Section 5. Contribution to impact

Describe on-site impacts (the major two impacts by category)

Creating local energy security
Creating jobs
Replanting of degraded lands with crops
Energy available for productive uses (processing, etc)|

Describe the major two off-site (i.e. not occurring in the location but in the surrounding areas) impacts

Loss of market for fossil fuels

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Has a cost-benefit analysis been carried out?

Ja

Section 6. Adoption and replicability

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Was the technology disseminated/introduced to other locations?

Ja

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Were incentives to facilitate the take up of the technology provided?

Ja

Specify which type of incentives:
  • Financial incentives (for example, preferential rates, State aid, subsidies, cash grants, loan guarantees, etc)

Can you identify the three main conditions that led to the success of the presented best practice/technology?

-

Replicability

In your opinion, the best practice/technology you have proposed can be replicated, although with some level of adaptation, elsewhere?

Ja

At which level?
  • Local
  • Sub-national
  • National
  • Subregional
  • Regional
  • International

Section 7. Lessons learned

Related to human resources

-

Related to technical aspects

-

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