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Problems with Biogas Implementation in Developing Countries from the Perspective of Labor Requirements

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  • Gudina Terefe Tucho

    (Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Technology, Jimma University, Jimma 1820, Ethiopia)

  • Henri C. Moll

    (Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands)

  • Anton J. M. Schoot Uiterkamp

    (Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands)

  • Sanderine Nonhebel

    (Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Most households in rural developing countries depend on firewood from public forests or agricultural bio-wastes for cooking. Public forests, though, are declining due to an increasing population and inefficient use of wood. Use of agricultural wastes on the other hand involves loss of soil nutrients since these resources are used as a substitute for inorganic fertilizers. Biogas energy can be an alternative in providing clean energy for cooking as well as improving soil fertility with the slurry. However, the labor spent on producing biogas can limit its use as a source of energy and fertilizers. Therefore, this study aims to determine the labor requirement of different mono and co-digestion biogas energy systems. The assessment is made by using simple models involving different schemes of resources collection and transportation based on reported relevant literature. The analysis shows that biogas production can be labor intensive when transportation of feedstock, water, and slurry is involved. Transporting these resources over a one kilometer (km) distance requires about ten times the amount of time spent on firewood collection and transportation. The largest part of the time for biogas production activities is spent on water collection and transportation. Low labor biogas production is possible only if all the resources are available nearby (not transported). One of the advantages of the biogas energy system is to use the slurry for soil enrichment. However, this can only be realized when the slurry is converted to compost or directly applied on nearby lands. In general, biogas production involving resources (feedstock, water and slurry) transportation is not a viable alternative to save the time spent on the traditional use of firewood. However, a community biogas system involving resource system integration is an option to provide clean energy with acceptable labor requirements of production.

Suggested Citation

  • Gudina Terefe Tucho & Henri C. Moll & Anton J. M. Schoot Uiterkamp & Sanderine Nonhebel, 2016. "Problems with Biogas Implementation in Developing Countries from the Perspective of Labor Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:9:p:750-:d:78181
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Nalunga, Asha & Mugisha, Johnny & Walekhwa, Peter & Smith, Jo, 2019. "The dynamics of Household labor allocation to biogas production, farm and non-farm activities in central Uganda," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 461-467.
    3. María José Ibarrola-Rivas & Thomas Kastner & Sanderine Nonhebel, 2016. "How Much Time Does a Farmer Spend to Produce My food? An International Comparison of the Impact of Diets and Mechanization," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Lisandra Rocha-Meneses & Mario Luna-delRisco & Carlos Arrieta González & Sebastián Villegas Moncada & Andrés Moreno & Jorge Sierra-Del Rio & Luis E. Castillo-Meza, 2023. "An Overview of the Socio-Economic, Technological, and Environmental Opportunities and Challenges for Renewable Energy Generation from Residual Biomass: A Case Study of Biogas Production in Colombia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.
    5. Tasnim, Farzana & Iqbal, Salma A. & Chowdhury, Aminur Rashid, 2017. "Biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure with kitchen waste and Water Hyacinth," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 434-439.
    6. Francis Kemausuor & Muyiwa S. Adaramola & John Morken, 2018. "A Review of Commercial Biogas Systems and Lessons for Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Roubík, Hynek & Mazancová, Jana & Rydval, Jan & Kvasnička, Roman, 2020. "Uncovering the dynamic complexity of the development of small–scale biogas technology through causal loops," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 235-243.

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