Abstract
Bioenergy is a sustainable source of energy associated with socio-economic benefits that do not take into account by market. This could lead to an undersupply of bioenergy in the energy market. Evaluating socio-economic benefits is necessary to provide a deeper understanding on the benefits of bioenergy beyond the direct cost of production.
The aim of this research is to identify and monetarize the most significant socio-economic benefits of bioenergy using the example of a biogas production from the rice straw pilot plant in the Philippines. The key socio-economic benefits identified in this research include social cost prevention benefits (climate change mitigation, and health risk reduction), and socio-economic creation benefits (employment and job creation, energy access, energy security, and food security).
Results show that health risk reduction, employment, and climate change mitigation social benefits of pilot plant were $US 280, 17.2, and 10.7 thousand, respectively. Rice straw biogas could enhance energy access in top rice producing areas in the Philippines where there is a low electrification rate coupled with large population numbers. Results indicated that self-sufficiency of energy production increases by 4% and Hirschman-Herfindahl Index (HHI) as an index for energy security improves by 14%, and food security will improve due to reducing rice imports by 52% if the project could be implemented nationwide across the Philippines by 2030. These benefits provide valuable insights and supports institutional and commercial decision-making, underpinning the overarching concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords: Socio-economic benefits, rice straw biogas, SDGs, HHI, Philippines
The aim of this research is to identify and monetarize the most significant socio-economic benefits of bioenergy using the example of a biogas production from the rice straw pilot plant in the Philippines. The key socio-economic benefits identified in this research include social cost prevention benefits (climate change mitigation, and health risk reduction), and socio-economic creation benefits (employment and job creation, energy access, energy security, and food security).
Results show that health risk reduction, employment, and climate change mitigation social benefits of pilot plant were $US 280, 17.2, and 10.7 thousand, respectively. Rice straw biogas could enhance energy access in top rice producing areas in the Philippines where there is a low electrification rate coupled with large population numbers. Results indicated that self-sufficiency of energy production increases by 4% and Hirschman-Herfindahl Index (HHI) as an index for energy security improves by 14%, and food security will improve due to reducing rice imports by 52% if the project could be implemented nationwide across the Philippines by 2030. These benefits provide valuable insights and supports institutional and commercial decision-making, underpinning the overarching concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords: Socio-economic benefits, rice straw biogas, SDGs, HHI, Philippines
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE) - Duration: 9 Feb 2022 → … |
Conference
| Conference | European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE) |
|---|---|
| Period | 9/02/22 → … |