Social Impact Assessment of the Biogas Production through Biomass for Bansuanmiang School under the Smart School Project

Abstract:

Small scale biogas plants were established at existing lands of seven small size schools at three provinces in lower northern part of Thailand. The successful experience of a small school at Khaonoi was used to implement this project, where food waste and animal dung have been used to produce biogas which replaced LPG used to cook lunch for students. After the successful implementation of project, these sites were used to train/ demonstrate the concerned from about 1,717 small size schools in target areas. The proposed project is conceived to open new venues in promoting and implementing Renewable Energy Technology. The establishment of university (R&D) to school/ community(end user) relationship is very important aspect of the idea, which not only be perfect to implement the project smoothly but will create new ways to collect feedback and solve the issues immediately. Project sites being distributive in nature and community participated will act as a RE promotion hubs. The technology used is simple and all the materials involved are local. The project though has comparatively lower direct financial benefits, but has tremendous social,environmental and health related benefits. The reduction of CO₂ and other GHG will not only be beneficial locally but will contribute in achieving the globally fixed targets. Community participation will be an added benefit to promote and expand the RE technologies among the masses over wide areas. The successful operation will be a strong message for visitors and the local community connected through their children with the school and hence project. The university level R&D will get a way out for direct implementation and technology will be used for the betterment of communities and will participate in global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions as well.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 855)
• Pages: 108-113
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.855.108
• Online since: October 2016
• Authors: Prapita Thanarak*
• Keywords: Biogas, Smart School, Social Return on Investment

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