New paper published! Quantification of the impact of partial replacement of traditional cooking fuels by biogas on global warming

In this paper, we quantify the impact of partial replacement of traditional cooking fuels by biogas from the two most prevalent sizes of biogas plants (BGPs) (6 m3 and 9 m3). 

Highlights

Proper operation of biogas plants reduces greenhouse gases emissions.

Methane emissions from biogas loss are higher than those from its combustion.

Biogas covers 60% of households’ cooking needs.

Biogas losses compromised the environmental benefit of global warming potential. 

The quantification of Global Warming Potential (GWP) from small-scale biogas plants accounted for four different scenarios: 1. Original scenario (before biogas implementation), 2. Current state scenario (after biogas implementation with reported 40% loss of biogas), 3. Zero-loss scenario (after biogas implementation without biogas loss) and 4. Optimal scenario (the exclusive use of biogas).

Currently, biogas covers over 60% majority of the cooking energy mix of surveyed households. Households’ consumption of traditional fuels (fuelwood and liquified petroleum gas) was reduced on average by 58% for fuelwood and 65% for LPG. In the comparison to the Original and Current state scenario, GWP was reduced on average by 11%, suggesting that in the current state, reduction of GWP due to biogas use is under its potential.

Congratulations to Ing. Marek Jelínek, PhD student from Biogas Research Team, who is the first author on this manuscript.

You can read more about it HERE.