Assessment of electricity generation from biogas in Benin from energy and economic viability perspectives

Abstract

Energy and sanitation are key factors to ensure economic development and quality of life for any nation’s population. These are challenges for less developed nations such as Benin, located in West Africa. Sewage treatment plants with biogas energy recovery present an opportunity for this country to overcome both problems. The present study aims to foster biogas development and the sanitation sector in Benin. More specifically, the goal is to evaluate energy potential and economic viability for anaerobic biogas energy generation in generators located in ten Beninese cities. In order to do so, a population projection was carried out for each city, followed by estimates for biogas production and, subsequently, calculating energy potential and economic viability. Reactor implementation costs were weighed separately in order to see the impact when included. In addition to developing sanitation in the country, the studied projects could supply up to 2% of the energy imported during 2016. In economic terms, the projects were unfeasible when considering the reactor implementation costs. A mandatory energy rate would have to be paid by the population to ensure enterprises a return on their investment. The results obtained furthered discussions on alternatives for Benin’s energy and sanitation sectors and can be used for future research and decision making.