Unlocking biogas potential for sustainable energy transitions in developing economies

This study addresses rural energy poverty by designing a decentralized biogas-based system for off-grid communities. Using field data and HOMER Pro simulations, an optimal system comprising a 15 kW biogas generator, 15 batteries for energy storage, and a 10 kW inverter was developed. Co-digestion of livestock manure, maize residues, and food waste generated enough energy to meet residential, institutional, and productive scaled annual average electricity demands of 165.44 kWh/day. The system achieved a levelized cost of $0.1053/kWh, which is cheaper than typical rural grid extension. With a 1.1-year payback and 67% ROI, it offers a scalable, sustainable solution for biomass-rich off-grid regions.