Valorisation of biogas for market development and remission of environmental nuisance in Uganda

Abstract

In Uganda, biogas is a low-value product considered a pro-poor renewable energy source. Farmers with excess biogas release it into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This study used mixed data sources and methods to explore how biogas can be valorised to become a valued commercial energy source in Uganda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results reveal the inefficiency of current biogas purification processes: the concentration of methane (CH₄) in the upgraded gas was only 58 %, far below the standard specification of 98 %. The pilot production process never came close to even the lower specification level of 95 % for upgraded methane and the upper specification level of 5 % for carbon dioxide (CO₂). The presence of traces of H₂S, water and oxygen could lead to the corrosion of storage equipment and complicate the use of the gas. The study also found that small-scale biogas producers with excess gas have a high desire to sell it but have currently no clear idea of how to valorise it to reach the market. Our market analysis revealed three promising customer segments: bioenergy entrepreneurs, gas companies and electricity suppliers. Taken together, our findings imply that to become a commercially viable energy source, the quality of biogas needs to be improved using valorisation strategies like monitoring gas quality, shaping the market, market research and certification and controls. The national bioenergy policy could consider subsidising valorisation technologies to make them affordable for farmers and thus support a more climate-smart biogas commercialisation process.