Sustainable production of biogas from waste rice straw (SubProM project)

project summary

The project proposes a simple and low-cost biotechnological process (RSTM process; see 9.2) for the conversion of waste rice straw into biogas. It is proposed that microbial fermentation of waste rice straw could become a significant supplementary energy source in rice producing regions in Asia. Rice straw is a major agricultural waste product in Asia with an estimated production of approx 700 million tons/year. Currently most of this waste biomass resource is not utilized or recycled in a sustainable manner.
Due to its simplicity, the RSTM process is especially suited to enhance energy production in rural communities where small manure based biogas plants are already in operation.
If experimental proof-of-concept is obtained this could lead to a substantial increase in construction of small biogas digesters in rice producing regions thus greatly reducing the demand for fossil fuels and creating possibilities for new jobs and small enterprises. Consequently this will allow for a substantial increase in energy production and standard of living in rural areas – although in a climate friendly way.
The project will also investigate socio-economic aspects of implementing green energy production (biogas) in a rural rice producing community exemplified by the Mekong Delta. Capacity building in biotechnology  will be provided in Vietnam through research collaboration and PhD/Postdoc projects in Vietnam and Denmark under supervision of senior scientists in both countries.