Building Markets for Efficient Biomass Power Provision
Overview
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Innovator |
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Project |
Biomass Mini-grids for Palm Oil Producing Communities in Benin and Tanzania | |
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Collaborators |
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Location Applied |
In rural areas of Benin and Tanzania, access to modern energy services is extremely limited. Without electricity, farming communities are slow in their adoption of modern agriculture practices - resulting in sparse irrigation, lagging food production, and few opportunities for value-added processing and refrigerated storage. Though some communities depend on fossil fuel-based technologies to meet their energy needs, perpetually escalating fuel costs - coupled with adverse environmental impacts - necessitate the exploration of more affordable and sustainable options.
Clean Energy Solution
Village Industrial Power (VIP) Plants are mini-grid systems powered through the combustion of biomass waste produced at local agricultural processing facilities. The VIP Plants generate mechanical / electrical / thermal energy for use in a diverse range of agricultural activities - processing fruit, palm, rice, and cocoa; dairy pasteurization; purifying water; and powering irrigation pumps. The VIP Plants will be assembled / sold in partnership with local manufacturers, and owned/operated by local Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).[1]
Impact
The project will result in the establishment of 50 agro-processing centers and village mini-grids capable of producing between 10 and 50kW of electricity for homes, social services, and businesses. It is anticipated that the VIP Plants will service more than 5,000 agrarian families. This clean energy solution will contribute agricultural development and low-carbon economic growth that improves food security, financial stability, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment through new entrepreneurship opportunities.[1]
Organization
Camco Clean Energy is a sustainable energy development company with offices across Africa. It is experienced in providing rural electrification through solar, biomass, small hydro, and biofuel technologies, addressing traditional charcoal production and consumption. Camco will co-implement activities with Gazogen, Inc - a firm that specializes in the development of biomass fueled co-generation plants.[2]
Progress Update
To demonstrate the benefits of the VIP system, Camco and VIP have installed five 10-kW VIP units in three different applications. In the Village of Uchindile, Tanzania, Victoria Hongole has been chosen to be the operator of the VIP mini-grid. Three palm oil processing businesses in South Eastern Benin are using the VIP to displace diesel and wood consumption in the processing of oil palm. In this application all three forms of energy are used; mechanical energy is used in running the expeller press, electrical energy is used to power a submersible pump and electric motors, and thermal energy is used to supply hot water to the palm fruit cooking vats. A rural clinic near Kigoma, Tanzania, is using hot water from the VIP in their laundry and will be powering their submersible pump and other equipment with the electricity. Training in VIP operation and maintenance has been provided at all sites. Feedback from the early adopters of the VIP, have been incorporated into the next generation units. These same improvements will be installed on the first five units in Benin and Tanzania.[1]
Further Information
- Powering Agriculture Homepage, Camco clean energy
- Camco Clean Energy Homepage
- Village Industrial Power Homepage
- Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development initiative - Winners
- Powering Agriculture Portal on energypedia
- Benin Energy Situation
- Tanzania Energy Situation
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Powering Agriculture, Camco Advisory Services: http://poweringag.org/2013-winners/camco
- ↑ Camco clean energy: http://www.camcocleanenergy.com/
