Household Biogas meeting the energy needs of rural people in Mali The Mali-Folkecenter Approach. Financed by GEF Small Grants Programme (UNDP)

Transcription

1 Household Biogas meeting the energy needs of rural people in Mali The Mali-Folkecenter Approach Financed by GEF Small Grants Programme (UNDP)

2 Energy situation in Mali Mali in the centre of West Africa Area of km 2 Population: approx 12 million 91% of the population use firewood and charcoal as primary source of energy

3 About 91% of energy needs are met by firewood and charcoal

4 More than tonnes of wood are cut each year in an area 200km around Bamako, a large part of which is turned into charcoal

5 tonnes of charcoal are produced in this same area This sale of wood is facilitated by the existance of roads This activity generates an estimated 10 billion FCFA (around $14 million) per year

6 Bamako exerts a great demographic pressure on the surrounding countryside

7 People see wood and charcoal as the only energy solutions available to them, but their use increases the process of desertification. Many types of trees are becoming increasingly rare, some of which have medicinal or other properties, are sold at very low prices in markets in cities for domestic use. Considering the great demographic pressure on the environment, and the rate at which the populations of cities are increasing due to the rural exodus, and the low income levels of the population, use of alternative fuels must be developed and promoted.

8 Considering that two thirds of the terrirtory of Mali is covered by desert, and that the deset advances by around 10 km per year, in the last 15 years the government of Mali has attempted, with the limited means at its disposal, to reduce pressure on the environment, and to introduce substitute for wood and charcoal. Household biogas plants provides an alternative: Biogas is a good substitue for wood energy, and can also provide lighting The product of fermentation is an excellent organic fertiliser (compost)

9 HOUSEHOLD BIOGAS PROJECT Pilot project to test the technology in the family Funded by GEF Small Grant Programme to examine the sociocultural suitability 5 household installations To regenerate interest in the technology in Mali Link energy and environment Biogas has succeeded in several countries why not in Mali? Private family installations with clear lines of responsibility, instead of community installations which have experienced problems A new approach and selection procedure

10 History of Biogas in Mali Initiated in the 1980s by several Malian organisations and institutes working with rural populations Between 1980 and 1988, around 75 digesters (BORDA, FERKE, or Chinese type, with a volume of between 6 and 11 m 3 )have been constructed in all regions exceptthe desrt areas of Gao and Timbuktu. In 1988, an evaluation was made of installed systems Of the 75 existing community type digesters, 60 were evaluated, of which only 23 were functioning.

11 Socio-cultural problems with community-owned biogas plants: Daily supply of manure and water Lack of motivation Maintenance responsibility Lack of sensitisation, responsibilisation and information of the beneficiaries

12 The Mali-Folkecenter Approach Participative Action with: The rural community For acceptance of the technology, and understanding that biogas can satisfy energy needs, and so will contribute to improvement of living standards and protection of the local environment Local government For integration of the project into the development plan of the municipality Technicians To ensure build up of human resources for diffusion of the technology

13 Discussions with the local government of Sanankoroba during the identiification of potential beneficiaries

14 Selection of beneficiaries Extensive interviews with interested families Detailed and rigid selection criteria to ensure success

15 Selection Criteria: Possession of at least 10 cows, stabled at night to facilitate collection of manure Abundant water supply close by (closer than the nearest source of wood) Practise of gardening activities etc to use compost Ready to substitute wood and charcoal for biogas The family must provide manual labourand local materials for construction One family member must participate in all steps of construction, running, maintenance and daily feeding of the installation

16 Results obtained by Mali-Folkecenter: Biogas installations have been made at: SANANKOROBA: Koniobla and Sinsina DIALAKORAOBA: Dialakoroba BOUGOULA: Falan IPR /IFRA: Katibougou An additional site was constructed outside the frame of the project at Yelekebougou, to act as a demonstration of the technology for a local NGO

17 Construction of a Household Biogas System

18 Excavation of the hole, and the Mali-Folkecenter team

19 Laying sand for the digester foundation

20 Raising the dome

21 Formation of the hemishere

22 The digester nearly ready for plastering

23 Mounting the inlet pipe

24 Start of construction of the cylinder for the gas tank

25 The concrete work finished

26 Manure the raw material

27 Daily feeding 50 kg manure plus 50 kg water

28 Checking the combustibility of the gas

29 Inlet Gas tank digester Outlet The completed installation at Sinsina

30 The blue colour indicates complete combustion of the gas

31 Cooking with biogas: Average daily production 1.5m 3 of biogas, enough to prepare the sauce and heat water for a family of 20 to 30 people

32 Visit to the site with a Danish journalist

33 Thanks to the results obtained, Mali- Folkecenter is currently seeking funding for 100 biogas plants, with training of more local specialists

34 w w w. m a l i f o l k e c e n t e r. o r g