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Potential of Bioenergy in Rural Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Nii Nelson

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Jo Darkwa

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • John Calautit

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Mark Worall

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Robert Mokaya

    (Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Eunice Adjei

    (College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Francis Kemausuor

    (College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Julius Ahiekpor

    (Chemical Engineering, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

Crop residues are common in rural Ghana due to the predominant role agriculture plays in livelihood activities in these communities. In this paper we investigate the prospects of exploiting agricultural crop residues for rural development in Ghana through bioenergy schemes. A theoretical energy potential of 623.84 PJ per year, which is equivalent to 19,781 MW was estimated using crop production data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and residue-to-product ratios. Ghana has a total installed generation capacity of 4577 MW which is four times less the energy potential of crop residues in the country. Cocoa pod husks were identified as important biomass resources for energy generation as they are currently wasted. To further assess the energy potential of cocoa pod husks, different cocoa pod husks samples were collected across the six cocoa growing regions in Ghana and thermo-chemically characterised using proximate and ultimate analysis. The low levels of nitrogen and sulphur observed, together with the high heating value, suggest that cocoa pod husks and for that matter crop residues are eco-friendly feedstock that can be used to power rural communities in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Nii Nelson & Jo Darkwa & John Calautit & Mark Worall & Robert Mokaya & Eunice Adjei & Francis Kemausuor & Julius Ahiekpor, 2021. "Potential of Bioenergy in Rural Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:381-:d:474316
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rudolf Petráš & Julian Mecko & Ján Kukla & Margita Kuklová & Danica Krupová & Michal Pástor & Marcel Raček & Ivica Pivková, 2021. "Energy Stored in Above-Ground Biomass Fractions and Model Trees of the Main Coniferous Woody Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Kimball C. Chen & Matthew Leach & Mairi J. Black & Meron Tesfamichael & Francis Kemausuor & Patrick Littlewood & Terry Marker & Onesmus Mwabonje & Yacob Mulugetta & Richard J. Murphy & Rocio Diaz-Chav, 2021. "BioLPG for Clean Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Present and Future Feasibility of Technologies, Feedstocks, Enabling Conditions and Financing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.

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