Development of a Comprehensive Conceptual Framework for Biogas Technology Adoption in South Africa

Solomon E Uhunamure,David Tinarwo,Nthaduleni S Nethengwe

doi:10.3390/resources10080076

Solomon E Uhunamure, David Tinarwo + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10080076

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Abstract

This article focuses on the development of a conceptual framework guiding the adoption of biogas technology in selected rural areas of the Limpopo province. The theoretical framing of the study emanated from the critical evaluation of models and work that privileged the technical design and optimisation of a biogas system over the adoption of the technology at the household level. Based on the empirical evidence, and using logistic regression analysis, the study highlighted that determinants of biogas technology adoption in communities are complex, context-dependent and spatially varied. Hence, the policy of biogas adoption should be tailored based on the principle of fit-for-purpose, instead of using existing unimodal approaches for all settings. Based on the findings, the study developed a robust conceptual framework that harnesses the relationships between the influencing variables that can enhance the adoption of biogas technology.

Highlights

To augment the energy need of the growing population and industrial growth, there is a tremendous rise in the demand for renewable energy
In evaluating the factors that influence biogas technology adoption, this study developed a comprehensive conceptual framework called the Biogas Adoption Framework (BAF)
Inadequacies and flaws existing in the models and theories used in biogas adoption in the literature are addressed in the BAF

Summary

Introduction

To augment the energy need of the growing population and industrial growth, there is a tremendous rise in the demand for renewable energy. Germany is arguably the foremost of all European countries in the advancement of large-scale biogas technology with 8005 out of 17,240 biogas plants built in the agricultural sector in Europe [3]. These plants add about 4000 MW of energy capacity, representing 5% of the country’s power capacity [3]. In Denmark, about 54,000 tons of livestock manure, straw and other organic residues are used in their largest biogas plant. This would reduce the annual footprint by

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