Biogas: Renewable Energy Transition
Green energy adoption is one of the essential topics in climate change and energy adaptation discussions. Green energy offers to be the panacea to energy crisis issues affecting rural communities. Rural communities in Kenya are more likely to feel disenfranchised by a lack of clean energy access or may lack clean energy access due to rising electricity costs. To substitute for this general want for energy, tapping biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion of biomass is a more reliable alternative to the existing energy solutions, particularly for rural populations.
The adaption of biogas as a means of energy production arguers well with the agrarian practices often standard in rural areas. Biogas is produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as animal waste and crop residues, and can be used as a source of clean and sustainable energy for cooking, lighting, and general domestic use.
Here are some of the benefits of biogas adaption:
Improves access to clean energy: Biogas provides a clean energy source that is environmentally friendly and reduces dependence on traditional energy sources, such as firewood and charcoal, which can harm health and the environment.
Furthermore, the uptake of biogas will create an alternative to conventional electricity from hydro and diesel engines. Research has established that internal combustion engines can initiate mechanical energies through the piston-crankshaft movement, thus producing electricity. The concept can favorably be applied in the small-scale production of electricity from biogas, especially in rural areas where the rising cost of electricity poses a significant challenge. Due to its high knock resistance, biogas can be scrubbed and compressed for use in light and heavy-duty vehicles (those with high compression rates). Moreover, biogas has a high hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of 4:1 hence steaming methane can also be used to generate hydrogen for fuel cells.
Increases income generation: Biogas production can generate income for farmers by providing a source of fertilizer for crops, and the sale of surplus biogas can also provide additional income.
Improves health: Using biogas for cooking and lighting can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses caused by indoor pollution from traditional stoves and lighting methods.
Improves sanitation: Biogas systems can also manage organic waste, including human waste, reducing the risk of diseases and improving sanitation in rural communities.
Reduces deforestation: Using biogas minimizes the demand for firewood and charcoal, helping reduce deforestation and promoting sustainable land use practices.
By adopting a biogas-conscious regime, there will be significant steps towards providing a source of clean energy, income generation, improved health, and sanitation, as well as contributing to sustainable land use practices. These are significant issues regarding sustainability and clean energy usage in rural farming communities.
Waka Africa is pursuing this program as part of its #WakaGreenEarth and #WakaPower initiatives in a bid to build sustainable communities in rural Kenya.
Be part of this conversation, and action by reaching out to us. Together, lets build a more sustainable future.
By Meshack Nzioka
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