Digital Global Biogas Cooperation

Project Information

DiBiCoo

Grant agreement ID: 857804

DOI

10.3030/857804

Project closed

EC signature date 1 August 2019

Start date 1 October 2019

End date 30 June 2022

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 2 998 181,25

EU contribution

€ 2 998 181,25

Coordinated by

DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FUR INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT (GIZ) GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DiBiCoo (Digital Global Biogas Cooperation)

Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2022-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The specific objectives of the DiBiCoo project achieved are: A) the facilitation of cooperation between relevant biogas stakeholders from Europe with stakeholders from developing and emerging countries. B) The compilation and provision of information for all stakeholders on available European biogas technologies as well as on the framework conditions, market opportunities, research needs, financing opportunities and project opportunities from the biogas sectors in importing countries. C) The implementation of the “DiBiCoo Capacity Building and Networking Programme” which included matchmaking events, study tours, business design trainings and capacity building trainings on biogas related topics. D) The development of the digital, open-source, and free Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform. E) Supporting the development of at least five biogas projects in target countries as “demo cases” with technical concepts and elaborating on social, economic and environmental sustainability. F) The exchange on national, regional and local policies supporting further biogas market uptake in the target countries by means of developing and disseminating best practices i.a. from the demo cases. In many events policy makers participated and key documents on legal and financial aspects, as well as market conditions in all target countries were discussed.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

DiBiCoo facilitated the cooperation between relevant stakeholders from Europe, with stakeholders from developing and emerging countries. We provided information for the stakeholders on available European technologies as well as on the framework conditions, market opportunities, research needs, financing opportunities and project ideas in the potential importing countries. The digital “Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform” was launched, and a “Capacity Building and Networking Programme” implemented. Both tools aim to facilitate the export of European biogas technologies to new markets. We used modern digital online services, as well as real-life actions such as matchmaking events, study tours or capacity building and business design training courses. Those events also include dialog about successful but also failed projects to foster learning. The project also tried to remove governance barriers and support the development and implementation of sustainable energy policies and legislation in the target countries. This was mainly facilitated through the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the target countries and local stakeholder discussion workshops. Regular discussions on best-practice, providing insights to existing favourable regulatory frameworks, and knowledge exchange (web seminar, factsheets) about standards for reliable, safe, profitable, and sustainable biogas projects accompanied the project implementation.
A core activity of the DiBiCoo project was the identification of 5 demo cases and 20 follower cases. Providing the demo case projects with technical assessments for pre-feasibility studies, analysing their business models and providing a systematic view on financing options. The impacts of the potential projects were assessed, and the success of these projects demonstrated by proofs of commitment on the cooperation between importers and exporters.

DiBiCoo results and particularly the online Matchmaking Platform will remain accessible and maintained beyond the project lifetime. Therefore the tool was handed over to the German Biogas Association. Besides that, all materials and deliverables remain available for the public via the platform. Additionally, those actions held virtually were recorded in many cases and are accessible online. E
DiBiCoo´s website and social media accounts reach out to a wide range of stakeholders from across the world and are continuously updated. Dissemination materials have been developed including contributions to conferences and technical papers . A final conference was held and recorded.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

DiBiCoo facilitated the introduction of biogas technologies and potentially increased the share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption. In total 5 demo cases and 20 follower cases have been identified and supported through the action. Exceeding the key performance indica-tors from the GA. The five demo projects trigger an estimate of 30.5 Mio EUR investment and have an installed capacity of 18.3 MW (total energy generated 121.7 GWh), leading to 313.5 kt/year waste treated and over 100.000 t/year GHG emissions reduced.
The additional 20 follower cases with an estimated installed capacity of 34.8 MW (463.5 GWh energy generated) would additionally trigger more than 85 Mio. EUR investment.
DiBiCoo led to substantial and measurable reductions for project developments, whilst still fully addressing the needs for environmental impact assessments and public engagement. Almost half of the ex-post evaluation participants (46%) state, that the time needed to initiate and set up new projects in the biogas sector was reduced. Additionally, 43% believe the use of the Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform will reduce their time needed in the future. Just below 70 % said that they saved more than 50% of their usually spent time for general project development (i.e. to identify suitable business partners or to find new project opportunities) compared to their regular processes by using the platform. Almost 90% of the survey participants from developing and emerging economies believe that the platform helps or will help them to reduce their costs spent and their time spent to identify European technologies or partners. 40% of people say they save 80% or more on costs by using the Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform in order to identify European technologies or partners for your project(s), compared to their regular processes. Over 60% of the respondents say they are saving 60% or more of their time to identify European technology partners. 35% say they even save more than 80%. In general, 96% of those who participated in DiBiCoo activities state, that the activity helped them to learn about sustainable European biogas/gasification technologies. And 55% of the survey participants from Europe state, that they have gained knowledge about the potentials and opportunities of biogas/gasification projects as a waste treatment and energy generation technology in emerging markets.
DiBiCoo developed more informed policy, market support and financial frameworks, notably at national, regional, and local level, leading to more cost-effective support schemes and lower financing costs for RES facilities. In total 141 policy makers have been engaged and/or participated in the Local Stakeholder Workshops. Other DiBiCoo activities also attracted policy makers: 10 policy makers attended the matchmaking event in Indonesia,1 policy maker from Ethiopia participated in the Study Tour in Germany, 4 policy makers participated in the Study Tour in South Africa, and 16 policy makers attended the Capacity Building (8 in South Africa, 4 in Argentina, 2 in Ghana and Ethiopia each).

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