Biogas Production for Sustainable Development in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

Sustainable development implies the need for emerging potential energy sources which do not produce adverse effect to the environment. The aim of this study is to assess biogas production sustainability and environmental consequences in Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana. The study was carried out into three steps ,the qualitative, the quantitative and the modelling the biogas potential in the region, for the qualitative analysis; the administering of questionnaires randomly to the people of Brong Ahafo and the survey on biogas the quantitative analysis was carried out at laboratory scales through anaerobic fermentation using the fresh cow dung as the base for each substrate in four separate bio-digesters comprising of cowdung ,saw dust, food waste and coconut husk under the temperature between 26 – 37 °C, the pH range of 4.47-7.25 and the methane content 53-62 (%) for the period of eight weeks under suitable indicators. Modelling using the Renewable Energy technology screen and the Long Range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP) Software From this study, the generation of gas from biomass has simply been as a by-product of anaerobic digestion of organic waste There are various types of biomass resources including organic waste and inorganic waste in the city of Brong Ahafo which are very suitable and have the potential for use as feedstock for biogas production to reduce the over reliance on wood fuel and fossil fuel, and by reducing it, would reduce climate change. The techno economic feasibility was carried out using the fixed dome digester of 6000 liters with an economic cost of four thousand two hundred dollars ($4,200) with an annual production cost of one hundred and forty dollars ($140). It’s payback time is in 3.9 months and a life time of 10 years using the RETScreen Software. This thesis helps to verify the availability of biomass in Brong Ahafo, the feasibility and economic importance of the technology and develop policy framework to enhance biogas uptake using Leap software. It also presents the potential benefits towards the environment by mitigating Greenhouse Gases.