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BLEENS - Biogas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Electricity, Ethanol, Natural Gas, and Solar
Definition
BLEENS cooking solutions: Biogas, LPG, Electricity, Ethanol, Natural gas, and Solar cookers are cooking solutions that typically deliver high performance in terms of reducing household air pollution—often (although not always) regardless of the type of cookstove used—and are collectively called BLEENS. These cooking solutions are often considered “modern” or “clean” solutions.[1]
This article deals with the potentials and limitations of these different alternative cooking fuel options. A table at the end gives a quick overview. Each technology is presented along the following points:
- Source/production of the fuel
- Fuel availability
- Price range
- Applicability/which cooking needs are covered with it?
- Contribution or conflicts with SDGs
Biogas
Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as manure, sewage sludge, organic waste from households, industry waste, and also energy crops. It is composed mainly of methane (40-70%) and carbon dioxide (30-60%)[2]. However, it also contains small traces of other compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, hydrogen, methylmercaptans and oxygen[3]. Read more....
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
LPG is a by-product of extracted natural gas and refined crude oil, with a ratio of 40:60 % respectively. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, with the two most common ones being butane and propane (Priesemann & Volkmer, 2015; Sepp, 2014). Read more...
Ethanol
Ethanol is an alcohol fuel which can be distilled from a wide variety of biomass feedstock. It is mainly used as transportation fuel, in this case blended with gasoline[4]. Read more...
Electricity
Electrical cooking involves either using electrical appliances or using electric stoves. Electric appliances such as electric kettles, rice cookers, ovens and microwaves can be used for specific cooking needs. Electric pressure cookers are another cooking appliance that are highly efficient and are mostly used in Africa, Latin America and Asia to cook grains and other food that need to be cooked for long duration. Read more...
Natural Gas
Natural gas (NG) consists of mostly methane (CH4), small amount of natural gas liquids (NGL) and other nonhydrocarbon gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour. The first usage of NG in America was around 1816, when it was used to illuminate the streets of Baltimore with gas lamps (NEED, 2018). Read more...
Solar
Solar energy is the energy, the earth receives from the sun, primarily as visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Solar thermal energy can be used to heat, cook, bake or pasteurize food or drink. Read more...
References and further information
- ↑ http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/650971468180259602/pdf/105054-ESM-P148200-ADD-SERIES-PUBLIC-FINAL-ESMAP-Beyond-Connections-TR008-15-optimized.pdf
- ↑ Cooking with Biogas - energypedia.info.” [Online]. Available: https://energypedia.info/wiki/Cooking_with_Biogas. [Accessed: 08-Apr-2019]
- ↑ “Biogas Basics - energypedia.info.” [Online]. Available: https://energypedia.info/wiki/Biogas_Basics. [Accessed: 03-Apr-2019].
- ↑ http://www.futuresknowledge.com/futures/energy/ethanol-futures/history-of-ethanol-and-ethanol-futures/
Energy services for refugees and displaced people - ScienceDirect 2016
