Biogas Technology Research Articles

Challenges, Opportunities, and possible Interventions in the Biogas sector in Rural areas of Limpopo, South Africa

Biogas technology offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for addressing energy needs, particularly in rural areas. Despite its potential benefits, the adoption of biogas technology in rural Limpopo, South Africa, remains limited. This paper critically examines the factors hindering its uptake. Using an exploratory approach (Qualitative study), data were gathered through interview guide, field surveys, literature reviews, and expert opinions. The analysis indicates that while biogas is a superior thermal option for household energy crises, several challenges need resolution. Key obstacles include ineffective strategies for promoting biogas in Limpopo. Understanding stakeholder perspectives—such as government bodies, local communities, and private enterprises—is crucial for developing strategies to increase biogas use. Necessary interventions include training, capacity-building, and educational awareness initiatives in rural areas to boost adoption. The financial sector's role in renewable energy is critical, especially as cleaner fuels gain attention. Despite its significant benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing household energy security, biogas technology's acceptance and use remain low.

A preliminary report of integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in organic rice farming systems in upland areas in Indonesia

This study aims to understand the preliminary results of integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in organic rice farming (ORF) systems in upland areas. The research was conducted in upland areas in Grabag Subdistrict Magelang Regency, Central Java Province (UPL1) and Kertasari Subdistrict, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province (UPL2), Indonesia. At each upland area, a demo plot with a 17 m3 digester has been established, and 120 sheep were introduced. A combination of sheep and beef cattle manure was used as a biogas substrate. The soil sample of one and three-year conversion of ORF was collected, and macro and micro minerals were analyzed. The biogas quality was analyzed, including dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), carbon (C) and nitrogen-ammonia (N-NH3). The greenhouse (GHG) emissions, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O), were measured. The results indicated that C-organic content at three-year conversions of ORF in UPL1 was much lower (P<0.05) than the one-year conversion. The average CH4, CO2, and N2O contents in UPL1 were 661, 477.3, and 0.16 mg/m2/day, respectively. The average CH4, CO2, and N2O contents in UPL2 were 3328, 3038 and 2.42 mg/m2/day, respectively. In UPL1, the proportion of CH4 was 52.5 %, CO2 was 47.4 %, and N2O was 0.01 % while the proportion of CH4 was 57.9 %, CO2 was 42.0 %, and N2O was 0.01 % in UPL2. To conclude, integrating sheep farming in combination with adopting biogas technology in the ORF system improves manure management and provides organic fertilizer, which subsequently reduces the use of artificial fertilizer and avoids GHG emissions.v

Regional Strategies for Implementing Methane Fermentation Technology in Waste Management: Environmental, Technological, and Social Perspectives

This article discusses regional strategies for implementing methane fermentation technology in waste management, considering environmental, technological, and social perspectives. Methane fermentation plays a crucial role in modern waste management and renewable energy production. The article highlights the importance of local climatic, economic, and social conditions that affect the efficiency and profitability of biogas installations. Both barriers and opportunities for technology development in various regions are analyzed, particularly in terms of raw material availability, regulatory support, and social acceptance. Examples of biogas technology applications in different countries are provided, identifying key success factors. The article offers valuable insights for decision-makers responsible for designing and implementing methane fermentation systems, taking into account diverse regional conditions and local needs.

Biogas production from piloted wood-based bioethanol process using high-rate anaerobic treatment – Focusing for inhibition and improving biodegradability

To promote the bioeconomy, biorefineries with novel processes are developed. Biogas technology is commonly applied in biorefineries, and in this study, its feasibility for biogas production from wastewaters generated in a novel piloted wood-based bioethanol process was examined in expanded granular sludge bed reactors (EGSB). The novel wastewater was found to have high organic matter content and contained potentially inhibitory compounds. Wastewater was diluted with reactor effluent or tap water (control), and the proportion of wastewater in the feed was increased gradually to increase the organic loading rate. The wastewater was acidic (pH 4.2–4.6) and contained high concentrations of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD 21–51 g/L) and sulfate (1–2.5 g/L). EGSB reactors had high sCODww (sCOD in the wastewater) removal of 74–77 % with OLRs up to 22 kg-sCODww/m3d and no inhibition either by the sulfide resulting from the high influent sulfate concentration or by the re-use of reactor effluent was seen. Integration of anodic oxidation (AO) to the EGSB reactor was studied in batch experiments increasing the biodegradability and total sCOD removal to 80–83 % and enhancing the methane production by 3 %. The results provide valuable information to support the implementation of anaerobic treatment plants as part of new industrial scale bioproduct production processes and encourages further studies on AO.

Biogas production and techno‐economic feasibility studies of setting up household biogas technology in Africa: A critical review

AbstractThis critical review examines the potential of household biogas technology in Africa, focusing on biogas production and techno‐economic feasibility studies. The review highlights the benefits of biogas technology, including renewable energy generation, waste management, and improved public health. A significant portion of Africa's rural population, approximately 60%, grapples with limited access to reliable power sources. The study analyzes various biogas production systems, including anaerobic digesters and biomass gasifiers, and evaluates their economic viability in different African contexts. The review identifies key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, and public awareness. Biogas production stands out as one of the promising renewable energy sources. However, it also discusses the challenges and limitations of implementing this technology on a continental scale. The study analyzes various biogas production systems, including anaerobic digesters and biomass gasifiers, and evaluates their economic viability in different African contexts. The review identifies key factors influencing the adoption of household biogas technology, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, and public awareness. The study concludes by recommending strategies for scaling up biogas technology in Africa, including capacity building, technology transfer, and innovative financing models. The review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working towards sustainable energy solutions in Africa.

Potential of Wheat Straw for Biogas Production by Anaerobic Digestion in South Africa: A Review

Wheat straw (WS) is a promising substrate for biogas production by anaerobic digestion (AD) due to its high carbohydrate content. An estimated 0.603 million t yr−1 of WS are generated from wheat production systems in South Africa. This is equivalent to an energy potential of 11 PJ. Despite this, WS is still undervalued as a bioenergy resource in South Africa due to its structural complexity and low nitrogen content. WS disposal methods, such as use in livestock bedding, burning and burying into the soil, inter alia, are not sustainable and may contribute to global warming and climate change. The commercialization of the AD of WS needs to be further developed and promoted. Pre-treatment (i.e., physical, chemical, biological and hybrid methods) and anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) are novel strategies that can support the conversion of WS into biogas and other value-added products. Current and future research should focus on optimizing pre-treatment and AcoD conditions towards industrialization of WS into valuable products. This paper focuses on the potential use of WS for biogas production in South Africa. The aim is to create information that will promote research and development, and encourage policy makers and stakeholders to participate and invest in WS biogas technology. Were WS biogas technology fully adopted, we believe that it would alleviate energy insecurity and environmental degradation, and sustain the livelihoods of citizens in South Africa.

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of biogas-based hybrid renewable energy systems: A case study for a small-scale livestock farm

Biogas technology offers a significant benefit in enabling energy generation from distributed sources of biomass through its easy scalability. This study aimed to conduct the technical, economic, and environmental analysis of biogas-based hybrid renewable energy systems in a small-scale livestock farm located in the rural area of the Central Anatolia region in Türkiye. The HOMER software was used to analyze a total of five scenarios. These scenarios are hybrid combinations of a biogas generator, PV panels and wind turbines. The hybrid scenarios were evaluated by comparing them to each other and to the base scenario, which only has a grid connection. The optimal system has been determined to be the grid-connected Biogas/PV panel hybrid configuration, with an energy cost of 0.0688 $/kWh and a net present cost of $70,777. The optimal system has a renewable fraction of 89.9 % and a CO2 emissions mitigation potential of 13,066 kg/year compared to the base scenario. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis for various input parameters such as grid sellback rate, interest rate and load demand was performed to assess the impact of changes in these parameters on the system. Sensitivity analysis results show that increased grid sellback rates can significantly enhance financial metrics and reduce the payback period from 13.13 years to 6.63 years.

Technologies of the Integrated Development of Hydrogeothermal Resources of the North Caucasian Region

This paper focuses on the technologies of the integrated development of high-parametric geothermal brines with steam release. They differ from each other depending on initial parameters. Such way of brine utilization will make it possible to transform thermal energy to electrical power along with significant increasing its salinity that contributes to chemical components extraction. The opportunity is considered of this technology application in the Tarumovka geothermal field with electric power generation in steam-turbine and binary power plants, and consequent obtaining valuable mineral components. The geothermal and biogas technologies are given proposing integrated utilization of thermal water for various applications. Such systems make it possible to use resource potential of geothermal well and biomass that will result in improvement of economic and environmental situation in the North Caucasus region.

Assessing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Anaerobic Digestion for Municipal Organic Waste: A Case Study of Minamisanriku Town, Japan

Anaerobic digestion (AD), or biogas technology, is an optimal method for municipal organic waste (MOW) treatment, recovering both material and energy. This study takes a life cycle assessment perspective and examines the economic and environmental impacts of a BIO facility in Minamisanriku Town, Japan, which has utilized MOW (kitchen/food waste and surplus sludge from sewage) as local biomass resources since 2012. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to gather data on material flows and impacts. Scenario analysis considered various conditions, such as pre- and post-operation of the BIO facility, the use and non-use of digestate as liquid fertilizer, and the facility’s 100% operational efficiency. The results indicate that full operation of the BIO facility and marketing of value-added products, such as branded rice grown using liquid fertilizer, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower integrated environmental costs, improve the regional economy, and increase net income. In the business as usual (BAU) scenario with a 56% operation rate of the BIO facility, there is an over 10% improvement in economic and environmental impacts compared to the pre-operation baseline. This study underscores the importance of maximizing biomass utilization to develop value-added uses by enhancing, extending, and expending stakeholder collaboration.

Critical analysis of non-price actions driving installation of biogas technology to upgrade existing buildings in Ghana: a demand theory approach

The gradual degradation of faeces and other organic materials through the process of fermentation results in the manufacture of biogas. Generally, as the cost of construction increases, the demand for biogas should fall, which in this case is the opposite. Thus, this study seeks to identify drivers of the current surge in the installation of the biogas system in Ghana for the decisions that could be implemented to reinforce gains. This study adopted a quantitative survey-based assessment approach to identify the drivers for policy formulation. The results show that reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, training of trainees and the community, cost savings, public education, bank loans, available waste stock, etc. are the key drivers accelerating the continuous growth of the industry in Ghana. Furthermore, a high degree of agreement was observed from the participants regarding the non-price drivers of biogas. The results present government agencies including the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Commission and industries with an action plan to restructure the concept of renewable energy sources in Ghana. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive outlook of biogas generation system, which could be explicitly used in capacity development to create a sustainable progress of biogas development in Ghana.

Design and Implementation of a Biogas Pilot Plant for Bioaugmentation Strategies in a rural municipality

The transition towards renewable energy sources is imperative for achieving sustainability and mitigating climate change impacts. Among various renewable energies, biogas stands out for its dual role in waste management and energy production. This study introduces the design and implementation of a biogas pilot plant aimed at exploring bioaugmentation strategies to enhance biogas yield and quality. The pilot plant, located at Aras de los Olmos, features two independent 3.4m3 digesters, allowing for parallel comparison between standard anaerobic digestion and digestion with microbial enhancements. The plant is equipped with monitoring and control systems for precise regulation of environmental conditions, such as temperature, and for real-time measurement of biogas composition. Some initial experiments using a mix of agricultural wastes demonstrated the plant's capability to adapt to varied feedstock. Despite suboptimal temperature conditions, preliminary results indicated a high methane content, suggesting significant potential for bioaugmentation to improve biogas production efficiency. The study highlights the importance of controlled environmental conditions and introduces a novel bioaugmented digestion approach using selected microbial consortia. This research contributes to the broader goal of enhancing biogas technology's efficiency and sustainability, offering insights into the practical application of bioaugmentation in biogas production.

Demonstration of the potential use of off-grid renewable energy in agricultural production in rural Uganda

Background As the world's consciousness of the threats posed by the current state of climate change and its related consequences on food security increase, several nations, including Uganda, have modified their long-term plans for the shift to low-carbon economies and provision of affordable off-grid renewable energy (RE) sources especially in rural areas. Methods Through a citizen science initiative, this study examined the adoption of off-grid renewable energy in agricultural production in rural Uganda, with a focus on solar, charcoal briquettes, and biogas technologies. The study employed a cross-sectional study design and combined qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Data were collected through structured interviews with 1,068 households and 20 key informants. An in-depth review of case studies of RE use in agriculture was also done. Results All respondents embraced at least one RE technology, predominantly solar (92% of respondents), highlighting its widespread adoption. Women exhibited higher adoption rates, particularly in solar and charcoal briquettes usage. The diverse applications of RE in agriculture were evident ranging from solar-powered irrigation, drying of produce, brooding, to biogas digesters for fertilizer production. Benefits associated with RE implementation were multifaceted, including time savings, enhanced health and safety, income generation, and environmental sustainability. Despite these advantages, barriers such as high initial costs and limited awareness persist. Conclusions This study highlights the significant potential of off-grid renewable energy in agricultural production in rural Uganda. Widespread adoption and scale-up of RE technologies requires strong collaborations between government, non-government organisations and private actors to build community awareness, train community resource persons on operation and management, and provide financing for the acquisition of RE technologies.

Assessment of bioenergy plant locations using a GIS-MCDA approach based on spatio-temporal stability maps of agricultural and livestock byproducts: A case study

Addressing the global challenge of energy sustainability and global directives on farming emissions, the United Nations, the European Union, and China have led with strict targets for clean energy, renewable share growth, and carbon neutrality, highlighting a commitment to collective sustainability. This work is situated within the ambit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advocating for a transition towards renewable energy sources. With substantial and accessible bioenergy resources, notably in Hubei Province, China, biogas technology has emerged as an emission-cutting solution. This research, focused on the Jianghan Plain, employs an integrated approach combining spatial analyses with machine learning tools to evaluate crop yield stability over two decades, with the aim of maximising the biogas yield from agricultural byproducts, i.e., crop straw and livestock manure. Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), which is informed by grey-based DEMATEL, 9 constraints and 13 environmental, social, and economic criteria were assessed to identify optimal sites for biogas facilities. The findings underscore the significant bioenergy potential of agricultural byproducts from the plain of 6.3 × 1012 kJ/year at an 11.4 kJ/m2 density. Stability analyses revealed consistent biomass availability, with rice in Gongan and Shayang and wheat in Jiangling being the primary contributors. Through the MCDA, 45–66 optimal biogas plants were identified across 4 critical counties (Zhongxiang, Shangyang, Jingshan, and Yichen), balancing the energy supply and demand under various stable scenarios. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the criticality of moderate biomass stability for stakeholder consensus and identified areas of high stability essential for energy demand fulfilment. Theoretically, this study offers a practical model for bioenergy resource exploitation that aligns with global sustainability and carbon neutrality goals to address the urgent need for renewable energy solutions amidst the global energy crisis. Practically, this study sets a precedent for policy and planning in environmental, agricultural, and renewable sectors, signifying a step forwards in achieving environmental sustainability and an energy-efficient future.

The messy ethics of household biogas in Tanzania: ambivalence and aesthetics in energy‐from‐waste

AbstractHousehold biogas is an off‐grid energy technology that converts human, animal, and agricultural waste into fuel. This article analyses the emergence and use of household biogas technologies in Tanzania to theorize energy ethics in a postcolonial world. It engages Jane Bennett's theorization of the ‘energetics’ and aestheticization of ethics to ask how people assert and think through their own notions of good energy in postcolonial Africa. It documents two distinct registers people use to evaluate the ethics of biogas. The ‘circle of life’ register mobilizes popular environmental aesthetics of circle, cycle, and reuse as well as neoliberal and socialist political aesthetics of self‐containment and self‐reliance to enchant biogas with an ethical aura. The ‘excremental ambivalence’ register, alternately, disenchants biogas through referencing the polyvalent semiotics of shit and the sedimentation of racial and economic inequalities that condition the propagation of biogas. People engage both registers in the context of specific political economic and ecological conditions that also affect biogas uptake or refusal. The article thus argues that political economy, materiality, and aestheticization all play a role in people's ethical orientation to biogas and that ambivalence is a defining feature of energy transition in the Global South.

Biogas: Strengthening Green Energy Infrastructure for a More Sustainable Future

Biogas has been available as a renewable energy source to accelerate national economic development. This research aimed to analyze the potential of renewable energy production development in Indonesia and present the application of potential waste processing into biogas. This study fills the knowledge gap through a critical review of the potential for developing renewable energy from animal waste in Indonesia, including biogas, power generation, transportation, and value-added chemicals. This study was conducted using a critical review of research articles and is supported by other related literature. The result of the study showed that Indonesia has great potential to develop biogas production due to its substrate availability, particularly from farm animal waste or other organic waste, even though its utilization has not been maximized. The data showed that primary energy consumption, especially in the industrial and transportation sectors, was dominated by fossil fuels and coal. The production of biogas technology development comprehensively included the processes and techniques of waste handling from biogas production. Most of the biogas application approaches were still in the early stage. Identifying opportunities, obstacles, policies, research, and development is still needed, particularly in this relatively new sector.

Biogas Technology for Strengthening Soil and Water Conservation: A Case Study in Leksana Village, Merawu Subwatershed

Biogas Technology for Strengthening Soil and Water Conservation: A Case Study in Leksana Village, Merawu Subwatershed

Economic viability and factors affecting farmers’ willingness to pay for adopting small-scale biogas plants in rural areas of Cameroon

This study provides an in-depth economic analysis to aid decision-making in the adoption of small-scale biogas technology in rural areas of Cameroon. It also provides evidence of the field investment characteristics of the biogas energy supply in rural areas of Cameroon. The methodology focused on assessing the economic viability of different sizes of biogas plants and the willingness of farmers to pay for the same. A sample of 180 farmers was selected for the study. Data collection was carried out from December 2020 to May 2021 using a questionnaire survey and participant observation. The results show that all small-scale biogas plants are economically viable. Benefit-cost ratios were 1.01, 1.19, 1.50, 1.02, 1.21 and 2.04 for the 4 m3, 6 m3, 8 m3, 10 m3, 20 m3, and 25 m3 biogas plants. The net present values in US dollars (USD) were 959, 1790, 2695, 2658, 6047, and 12267 for the 4 m3, 6 m3, 8 m3, 10 m3, 20 m3, and 25 m3 biogas plants, respectively. The internal rate of return was higher than the applied discount rate of 12 %. The minimum payback period of 2.24 years was recorded for the 25 m3 while the maximum of 3.37 years was recorded for the 10 m3 biogas plants, respectively. With a disproportionate increase in the cost of biogas plants by 20 % and a 20 % decrease in benefits with a discount factor, the net returns are positive, indicating that all biogas plants are economically viable. The mean willingness to pay is estimated at 13 USD or 8000 FCFA. This resulted in an average repayment period of 11.5 years. The provision of extension services, financial incentives, and regulation of the small-scale biogas market will motivate farmers to adopt the technology.

Techno-economic evaluation of GHG emissions mitigation of biomethane upgrading technologies

The current trend in the European biogas industry is to shift away from electricity production towards the production of biomethane for the need to replace natural gas. The upgrading of biogas to biomethane is normally performed by separating the biogas in a stream containing natural gas grid quality methane and a stream containing mostly CO2. The CO2 stream is normally released into the atmosphere; however, part of the methane may still remain in it, and, if not oxidized, even a small fraction of methane released may jeopardise all the GHG emissions savings from producing the biomethane, being methane a powerful climate forcer. Scope of this work is to assess the opportunity cost of installing an Off Gas Combustion (OGC) device in biomethane upgrading plants. The currently available technologies for biogas upgrading to biomethane and the most common technology of OGC (the Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers, RTO) are described according to their performances and cost. Then the cost per tonne of CO2eq avoided associated to the adoption of RTO systems in relation to the upgrading performance is calculated to identify a potential threshold for an effective and efficient application of the RTO systems. It is found that, in case of upgrading technologies which can capture almost all biomethane in the upgrading off-gas (i.e. 99.9%), currently the adoption of an RTO to oxidise the methane left in the off-gas would add costs and need additional fuel to be operated, but would generate limited GHG emission savings, therefore the cost per tonne of CO2eq emissions avoided would result not competitive with other GHG emissions mitigation investments. While the installation of RTOs on upgrading systems with a methane slip of 0.3%, or higher, normally results cost competitive in reducing GHG emissions. The installation of an RTO on systems with a methane slip of 0.2% results in a cost per tonne of CO2eq emissions avoided of 50–100 euro, which is comparable to the current cost of CO2 emissions allowances in the EU ETS carbon market, representing therefore a reasonable choice for a threshold on methane slip regulation for biogas upgrading systems.

Efficiency of Renewable Energy Sources in Reducing Carbon Footprint in Developing Countries

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine efficiency of renewable energy sources in reducing carbon footprint in developing countries Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of various renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic systems, wind power, biogas technology, and hydropower, in mitigating carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. These technologies offer reliable, environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, contributing to enhanced energy access, reduced reliance on traditional biomass fuels, and positive socio-economic impacts. However, realizing the full potential of renewable energy requires addressing barriers such as upfront costs, financing constraints, and technical capacity limitations. Policy interventions play a crucial role in scaling up renewable energy deployment through targeted incentives, regulatory frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Technology Adoption Theory, Environmental Policy Theory & Energy Transition Theory may be used to anchor future studies on efficiency of renewable energy sources in reducing carbon footprint in developing countries. Implement practical measures to facilitate technology transfer and capacity building in renewable energy sectors. This involves partnerships between developed and developing countries to share knowledge, expertise, and resources for deploying and maintaining renewable energy infrastructure. Establish supportive regulatory frameworks that streamline permitting processes, ensure grid integration, and provide market access for renewable energy producers. Clear and consistent regulations create an enabling environment for renewable energy investments and facilitate the transition to low-carbon energy systems.

Opportunities and Barriers to Biogas Adoption in Malawi

Malawi has the potential to explore the utilization of biogas technology. The technology has existed in the country for decades. However, the uptake has been lower than expected. Further, there has been a high rate of dis-adoption of the installed systems. To deal with the problem, this study explored the opportunities and barriers to biogas technology to enhance biogas adoption and utilization in Malawi. Qualitative research methods using key informant interviews were employed to collect the data from biogas adopters, dis-adopters, potential adopters, and experts. A total of 22 households and 6 experts were interviewed. The findings of the study show that the country has opportunities for biogas adoption and utilization. The most mentioned opportunities were livestock farming practices, constraints to access to reliable energy sources, associated benefits of biogas technology, and land holding. However, the adoption of the technology has faced several challenges. Commonly cited barriers were the high installation and maintenance costs, inadequate feedstock, inappropriate dissemination approaches, lack of training after installation services and expertise, lack of reliable water sources, absence of ownership, lack of cooperation amongst institutions involved in biogas promotion, lack of a coordinating body for institutions involved in biogas dissemination, lack of standards, and socio-cultural factors. To overcome the challenges, strategies were identified, and these include the provision of incentives, loans and subsidies, provision of technical support services, having demonstration sites, employing suitable dissemination approaches, co-digestion or diversification of raw materials, awareness campaigns, and collaboration amongst sectors involved in biogas dissemination.