Bioenergy potential and emission offset from manure application in Taiwan

Intensive fossil fuel use has caused substantial climate change that induces various environmental and economic concerns. Developing clean and renewable energy is critical to mitigating such climate impacts. Manure-based biopower is attractive because the application is not complicated, and the biomass is generally supplied constantly. This study employs a lifecycle framework to evaluate the power potential, economic profits, and environmental benefits of manure application in Taiwan. The results show that (1) Up to 2,304 GWh can be generated annually, in which hog manure contributes the most, (2) Profits of hog manure range from $104-$119 million and up to $59 million for cattle manure energy sale. Using chicken manure is less profitable but could still be a valuable addition to biopower production. (3) Promoting green finance could partly eliminate the investment risk of large-scale manure applications.