Biogas use in Reconstruction
Practical Action
Conclusion
A summary of the benefits of biogas is given below, in relation to a PCR context:
Biogas is a clean fuel, thus reducing the levels of indoor air pollution, a major cause of
ill-health for those living in poverty, and especially poorly ventilated post-disaster
shelters.
Biogas can be used to generate electricity, bringing with it the possibilities of improved
communications; telephone, computer, radio and television for remote communities. This
is more practical for community applications, rather than household systems.
Fuel produced locally is not as vulnerable to disruption as external source, and can
increase resilience and independence.
Lighting is a major social asset; improved lighting can facilitate longer periods for work or
study.
If a biogas plant is linked to latrines in a sanitation programme, it is a positive way of
reducing pathogens and converting the waste into safe fertiliser.
Where biogas is substituted for woodfuel, there are two benefits: a reduction in the
pressures on the forest, and a time-saving for those who have to collect wood – usually
women and children.
Where biogas is linked with sales of the resultant fertilizer, it is an excellent source of
additional income, increasing access to local markets.
China and India constitutes examples where biogas plants are produced in great numbers
by local artisans. In Kenya, where biogas technology is still in its early stages of
dissemination, local manufacturers have been quick to realise the potential and get
involved with the production of biogas plants.
This technical brief looked at the feasibility of biogas for energy provision, particularly in post-
disaster contexts as a fuel resource and as a disposal solution by examining the technological,
economic and social issues regarding its implementation.
Biogas can be obtained from several different plant or digester technologies, and some of them
(the balloon and plug flow digester) are more suitable for emergency shelters due to the short
time needed for its construction. General criteria must be considered in the construction of a
digester, and certain points of particular importance in post-disaster contexts have been
presented here.
The research has highlighted a number of issues that any implementing organisation will have to
face when introducing this technology, however, every programme will be context specific so a
generic model would be hard to construct. Social and cultural constraints are very context
specific; but the importance of keeping the public fully informed for acceptability has been
identified. The products created from the biogas digestion process can have financial incentive
and increase the ability of people to access markets. Therefore outlining the monetary benefit to
program participants of regular and efficient use and maintenance of a plant is essential.
Biogas can be an effective way to reduce waste and provide clean, sustainable energy, which is of
particular interest in post-disaster settlement planning. However, it is important to consider
several technological, economic and social barriers before adopting the technology; this brief
provides a range of examples, in order to recognise the necessary measures for successful
implementation.
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