Energy Waste Generation Research Articles

Quantification and characterization of cocoa pod husks for electricity generation in Uganda

BackgroundDue to limited coverage, the electricity power supply in Uganda is an obstacle to the country’s economic development. Utility firms in Uganda either lack the financial capacity to expand their grids to isolated rural areas or choose not to do so due to the low return on investment. Therefore, connecting households to mini-grids represents an effective solution to providing power to remote/rural areas. This study evaluates the resource and technology of generating electrical energy from cocoa pod husks (CPHs), an agricultural residue/waste, generated in Uganda. The use of agricultural waste for energy generation is the most suitable option for the rural population in Uganda because of the availability of a raw material (biomass) for its production, which is pollution-free (renewable and clean) and does not have competition for use. The inability to convert these solid wastes into useful products culminates into environmental related challenges, such as landfilling, climate change, pests, and diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to quantify the amount of generated CPHs and evaluate its potential for electricity generation in Uganda. Subsequently, we have been looking into the potential of CPHs as a feedstock for a thermochemical conversion process and the feasibility of a direct combustion technology.ResultsThe amount of CPHs generated in Uganda has been estimated. The physiochemical analysis has shown that the proportion of CPHs in the fresh pods is about 74%, which is nearly the same as in other studies. The dry matter content of CPHs has been found to be on an average of 19%, whereas ash content, moisture content, and the gross caloric value have been recorded to be 12.3%, 12.58%, and 17.5%, respectively. It seems therefore likely that 41.7 GJ of energy might be produced each year from CPHs in Uganda.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated that the CPHs are an important energy source. As there is an increasing trend in cocoa and CPH production in Uganda per year, the electricity production based on CPHs is sustainable and can be upgraded. The use of CPHs for energy conversion is therefore feasible, cost-efficient, and a solution to some environmental challenges.

Possibilities of Energy Generation from Olive Tree Residues, by-products and Waste in Crete, Greece

The objective of the current work is the investigation of the current utilization of olive tree residues, by-products and waste for energy generation in Crete and their future prospects. The quantity of olive tree biomass in Crete has been estimated and its potential for energy generation has been calculated. Possibilities for using it for heat production, power generation, biogas production, pellet manufacturing and fermentable sugar production have been investigated. Experiences in other olive oil producing countries have been recorded together with the technologies used or experimented with so far. The energy potential of olive tree biomass in Crete has been estimated at 24.05 % of the TPES supply in the island. The only highly utilized olive tree by-product for heat generation by combustion in Crete is the olive kernel wood. Olive tree pruning have the highest energy content but they are underutilized in Crete. Their successful utilization in other countries for pellet manufacturing and power generation indicates that their exploitation should be promoted in Crete. The results of this study indicate that olive tree cultivation in Crete, apart from producing a high nutritional edible product, generates residues, by-products and waste which if properly utilized could contribute in the reduction of fossil fuels used and the carbon footprint due to energy use in the island.