Performance assessment of Institutional Biogas systems in Rwanda

Content - Summary

In September 2008, IBC?Rwanda was contracted by GTZ to carry out a performance assessment of institutional biogas systems in the country. The main objective was to collect baseline data and to set up a data base providing an overview of the institutional biogas systems in Rwanda and to assess the operational and maintenance practices which may provide lessons for possible future investment programs in the sector. A survey team visited and collected data from all institutional biogas systems that could be identified in the country.

In 14 (50%) of the 28 operating biogas digesters only human waste is being used (typically for the prisons and some schools) while others use a combination of human and animal waste, mainly cow dung. It has been found that 11 of 28 completed digesters operate very well, 5 operate with major defects while 6 were abandoned or even never operated due to wrong design. The survey found that schools were the worst performers with only 2 out of 10 installed systems in operation. The major causes for malfunctioning of the systems were found to be lack of commitment of the
management and/or a lack of a qualified biogas operator and this was found more the case in the bigger institutions than in small systems operated by missions and farms.

There is also a serious shortage of technical support to assist institutions in carrying out simple modifications and reparations of leakages and damaged stoves. More capacity is required in this area to
ensure that the existing systems function properly which will give confidence to other institutions to follow the example.

Bibliographic information

Munyehirwe, A., Kabanda, P. (2008). Performance assessment of Institutional Biogas systems in Rwanda. Inclusive Business and Consultancy Ltd. (IBC Ltd.) Kigali and GTZ, Rwanda

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Biogas systems English Practitioners Renewable energies and climate change (WG3) Sub-Saharan Africa

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