The status of biogas resources in China

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China has abundant biogas resources and a huge market demand. It is estimated that by 2015, the output of straw from China’s major crops will reach around 900 million tons, of which about half can be used as raw material for agricultural biomass energy. It is estimated that by 2015, the physical volume of livestock and poultry manure from large-scale farms in China will reach 2.5 billion tons and 3.25 billion tons respectively. This could generate approximately 150 billion cubic meters and 195 billion cubic meters of biogas, equivalent to 240 million tons and 310 million tons of standard coal respectively. Furthermore, urban waste and domestic sewage in China also hold abundant biogas resources. By 2020, China’s biogas production is expected to reach 27 billion cubic meters, which is four times the level in 2000. The annual growth rate will be 9.1%, **exceeding the growth rate of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). This is equivalent to 21.22 million tons of standard coal, or roughly 30 million tons of raw coal. In short, there is great potential for the development and utilization of biogas in China.