The environmental benefits of domestic biogas technology in rural Ethiopia

This study examined the diverse environmental impacts of domestic biogas technology in rural Ethiopia. It employed a cross-sectional survey approach involving a total of 358 sample biogas-user and non-user households. The results of the analyses showed that the substitution of traditional biomass fu...

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Veröffentlicht in:Biomass & bioenergy Jg. 90; S. 131 - 138
Hauptverfasser: Mengistu, Mulu Getachew, Simane, Belay, Eshete, Getachew, Workneh, Tilahun Seyoum
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2016
Schlagworte:
Anaerobic digestion
biogas
biomass
carbon
carbon dioxide
Carbon sequestration
cross-sectional studies
economic incentives
ecosystem services
energy efficiency
environmental impact
Ethiopia
GHG emission reductions
greenhouse gas emissions
greenhouse gases
households
kerosene
mineral fertilizers
Organic fertilizer
Renewable energy
soil fertility
stakeholders
technicians
Ethiopia
GHG emission reductions
Organic fertilizer
Renewable energy
Carbon sequestration
Anaerobic digestion
ISSN:0961-9534, 1873-2909
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Zusammenfassung:This study examined the diverse environmental impacts of domestic biogas technology in rural Ethiopia. It employed a cross-sectional survey approach involving a total of 358 sample biogas-user and non-user households. The results of the analyses showed that the substitution of traditional biomass fuels and kerosene with biogas energy enabled the biogas-user households to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on average by about 1.9 t of CO2 equivalents per digester per year. The reduced use of chemical fertilizer also assisted GHG emission reductions. Moreover, the technology helped in reducing depletion of woody biomass through improving efficiency of energy use and energy substitutions. It assisted in improving the fertility of soil via reducing biomass removals as fuel and the direct use of nutrient enriched bio-slurry. Furthermore, the reduced biomass removals contributed to carbon sequestration. To further enhance the diverse environmental benefits of the technology, proper and uninterrupted operation and utilization of the biogas technology should be ensured; skillful and standby biogas technicians should be present at reasonable distances to provide maintenance and aftersales services. An operational platform for joint stakeholders' actions should also be in place to assist in exploiting its full potential, and seeking and realizing the carbon reduction financial incentive for the households. •We studied the environmental benefits of biogas technology in rural Ethiopia.•The use of the technology assisted in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.•The technology also helped in reducing depletion of woody biomass.•Reduced biomass removals and use of bio-slurry helped improving the soil fertility.•Ensuring proper and sustained operation can enhance its diverse eco-benefits.
Bibliographie:ObjectType-Article-1
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ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:0961-9534
1873-2909
DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.04.002