Assessment of the Biogas Potential in the Vhembe District of Limpopo: A Case Study of Waste-to-Energy Conversion Technology

Abstract

The greatest challenge facing many governments is the improvement of the level of socioeconomic development in their respective countries and providing better life. Clean and sustainably generated energy, renewable energy, could be the only hope in underpinning the global millennium development goals. Many of the rural communities in developing countries are forced to rely on the traditional energy sources such as firewood, dung, and crop residues. These traditional methods are often expensive and/or time-consuming. Cooking accounts for 90% of energy consumption in the households of rural communities. Biogas is a substitute for firewood and cattle dung and is a renewable source of energy. The paper sought to assess the potential of biogas in rural communities of Vhembe district for biogas popularization. The presence of organic waste, water, willingness to maintain and invest in the digester, small garden, presence of cow dung and/orchicken waste are suitable conditions for biodigester installation. The aim is to explore, popularize, and demonstrate the potential the utilization of the biogas technology in rural communities has in improving socioeconomic status of the rural communities. Useful information on the project impact was collected through villages’ questionnaires, interviews, field trips and community engagement workshops, and all the viability demonstrated from rigorous socioeconomic and environmental benefits considerations. The results of the study show that biogas technology is sustainable, provides food and energy security while combating climate change. This provides evidence that biogas technology is a real solution to the ongoing threat on energy.