IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/wdevel/v67y2015icp461-474.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Effects of Rwanda’s Biogas Program on Energy Expenditure and Fuel Use

Author

Listed:
  • Bedi, Arjun S.
  • Pellegrini, Lorenzo
  • Tasciotti, Luca

Abstract

Dependence on biomass to meet domestic energy needs raises several socio-environmental concerns. In contrast, cattle manure, which may be used to generate biogas, is considered a cleaner and cheaper energy source. Despite several initiatives toyears of education promote biogas, systematic analyses of its effects are limited. This paper uses data from Rwanda to examine the effects of participating in a biogas program on energy-related expenditures and consumption of traditional fuels. We find evidence of substantial reductions in firewood use and large savings. However, the attractiveness of the program is hampered by a long payback period and low rates of return.

Suggested Citation

  • Bedi, Arjun S. & Pellegrini, Lorenzo & Tasciotti, Luca, 2015. "The Effects of Rwanda’s Biogas Program on Energy Expenditure and Fuel Use," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 461-474.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:67:y:2015:i:c:p:461-474
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.11.008
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X1400357X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.11.008?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lichtman, Rob, 1987. "Toward the diffusion of rural energy technologies: Some lessons from the Indian biogas program," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 347-374, March.
    2. van Groenendaal, Willem & Gehua, Wang, 2010. "Microanalysis of the benefits of China's family-size bio-digesters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 4457-4466.
    3. Gautam, Rajeeb & Baral, Sumit & Herat, Sunil, 2009. "Biogas as a sustainable energy source in Nepal: Present status and future challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 248-252, January.
    4. Daxiong, Qiu & Shuhua, Gu & Baofen, Liange & Gehua, Wang, 1990. "Diffusion and innovation in the Chinese biogas program," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 555-563, April.
    5. Katuwal, Hari & Bohara, Alok K., 2009. "Biogas: A promising renewable technology and its impact on rural households in Nepal," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2668-2674, December.
    6. Bhatia, Ramesh, 1990. "Diffusion of renewable energy technologies in developing countries: A case study of biogas engines in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 575-590, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Talevi, Marta & Pattanayak, Subhrendu K. & Das, Ipsita & Lewis, Jessica J. & Singha, Ashok K., 2022. "Speaking from experience: Preferences for cooking with biogas in rural India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. Bedi, Arjun S. & Sparrow, Robert & Tasciotti, Luca, 2017. "The impact of a household biogas programme on energy use and expenditure in East Java," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 66-76.
    3. Mukeshimana, Marie Claire & Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Nshimiyimana, Jean Pierre, 2021. "Evaluating strategies for renewable energy development in Rwanda: An integrated SWOT – ISM analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 402-414.
    4. Mukeshimana, Marie Claire & Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Ahmad, Munir & Irfan, Muhammad, 2021. "Analysis on barriers to biogas dissemination in Rwanda: AHP approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1127-1137.
    5. KeChrist Obileke & Nwabunwanne Nwokolo & Golden Makaka & Patrick Mukumba & Helen Onyeaka, 2021. "Anaerobic digestion: Technology for biogas production as a source of renewable energy—A review," Energy & Environment, , vol. 32(2), pages 191-225, March.
    6. Yasmin, Nazia & Grundmann, Philipp, 2019. "Adoption and diffusion of renewable energy – The case of biogas as alternative fuel for cooking in Pakistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 255-264.
    7. Roopnarain, Ashira & Adeleke, Rasheed, 2017. "Current status, hurdles and future prospects of biogas digestion technology in Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1162-1179.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ortiz, Willington & Terrapon-Pfaff, Julia & Dienst, Carmen, 2017. "Understanding the diffusion of domestic biogas technologies. Systematic conceptualisation of existing evidence from developing and emerging countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1287-1299.
    2. Cheng, Shikun & Li, Zifu & Mang, Heinz-Peter & Neupane, Kalidas & Wauthelet, Marc & Huba, Elisabeth-Maria, 2014. "Application of fault tree approach for technical assessment of small-sized biogas systems in Nepal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1372-1381.
    3. Bedi, A.S. & Pellegrini, L. & Tasciotti, L., 2014. "Caught between necessity and feasibility," ISS Working Papers - General Series 51698, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    4. Karthik Rajendran & Solmaz Aslanzadeh & Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, 2012. "Household Biogas Digesters—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-32, August.
    5. Maghanaki, M. Mohammadi & Ghobadian, B. & Najafi, G. & Galogah, R. Janzadeh, 2013. "Potential of biogas production in Iran," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 702-714.
    6. Surendra, K.C. & Takara, Devin & Hashimoto, Andrew G. & Khanal, Samir Kumar, 2014. "Biogas as a sustainable energy source for developing countries: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 846-859.
    7. Lohani, Sunil Prasad & Pokhrel, Dhiraj & Bhattarai, Sankalpa & Pokhrel, Amod K., 2022. "Technical assessment of installed domestic biogas plants in Kavre, Nepal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 1250-1257.
    8. Baral Gautam, Yamuna & Pelkonen, Paavo & Halder, Pradipta, 2013. "Perceptions of bioenergy among Nepalese foresters – Survey results and policy implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 533-538.
    9. Khondokar M Rahman & MK Harder & Ryan Woodard, 2018. "Energy yield potentials from the anaerobic digestion of common animal manure in Bangladesh," Energy & Environment, , vol. 29(8), pages 1338-1353, December.
    10. Malla, Sunil, 2013. "Household energy consumption patterns and its environmental implications: Assessment of energy access and poverty in Nepal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 990-1002.
    11. Rupf, Gloria V. & Bahri, Parisa A. & de Boer, Karne & McHenry, Mark P., 2015. "Barriers and opportunities of biogas dissemination in Sub-Saharan Africa and lessons learned from Rwanda, Tanzania, China, India, and Nepal," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 468-476.
    12. Bedi, Arjun S. & Sparrow, Robert & Tasciotti, Luca, 2017. "The impact of a household biogas programme on energy use and expenditure in East Java," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 66-76.
    13. Garfí, Marianna & Martí-Herrero, Jaime & Garwood, Anna & Ferrer, Ivet, 2016. "Household anaerobic digesters for biogas production in Latin America: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 599-614.
    14. Okudoh, Vincent & Trois, Cristina & Workneh, Tilahun & Schmidt, Stefan, 2014. "The potential of cassava biomass and applicable technologies for sustainable biogas production in South Africa: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 1035-1052.
    15. Khan, Ershad Ullah & Martin, Andrew R., 2015. "Optimization of hybrid renewable energy polygeneration system with membrane distillation for rural households in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 1116-1127.
    16. Coimbra-Araújo, Carlos H. & Mariane, Leidiane & Júnior, Cicero Bley & Frigo, Elisandro Pires & Frigo, Michelle Sato & Araújo, Izabela Regina Costa & Alves, Helton José, 2014. "Brazilian case study for biogas energy: Production of electric power, heat and automotive energy in condominiums of agroenergy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 826-839.
    17. Kinyua, Maureen N. & Rowse, Laurel E. & Ergas, Sarina J., 2016. "Review of small-scale tubular anaerobic digesters treating livestock waste in the developing world," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 896-910.
    18. Gurung, Anup & Kumar Ghimeray, Amal & Hassan, Sedky H.A., 2012. "The prospects of renewable energy technologies for rural electrification: A review from Nepal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 374-380.
    19. Wakeel, Muhammad & Hayat, Tasawer & Shah, Noor Samad & Iqbal, Jibran & Haq Khan, Zia Ul & Shah, Ghulam Mustafa & Rasool, Atta, 2023. "Biogas Energy Resources in Pakistan Status, Potential, and Barriers," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    20. Gurung, Anup & Oh, Sang Eun, 2013. "Conversion of traditional biomass into modern bioenergy systems: A review in context to improve the energy situation in Nepal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 206-213.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:67:y:2015:i:c:p:461-474. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/worlddev .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.