Biomass as a Source of Energy for Kwame Nkrumah University of Sciences and Technology Ghana

Abstract

Renewable energy has become an interesting and viable option and solution to promote sustainable development in the energy sector. The availability of biomass in a location provides the potential for institutions to use it as an alternative or first-choice energy source. The objective of this thesis was to provide an evaluation of how biomass can be used as a source of energy for the Department of Animal Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. In addition, this thesis assesses the environmental and social impacts of the biomass technology for providing electricity in the school. This project thesis is essential for the socio-economic development of Ghana as a whole because biomass accounts for about 64% of primary energy in the country. The thesis evaluated the location of a plant close to the school where different types of feedstock such as cow manure, pig manure, goat manure among others, can be transported easily to the plant. Based on the findings of this research, the Department of Animal Science requires 0.013% of feedstock to produce electrici-ty. Environmentally, biogas production is beneficial because there is no burning to produce CO2 in the atmosphere. Similarly, a biogas plant in local communities provides income opportunities to inhabitants while making proper use of the waste generated from the farms. All in all, electricity can be produced for the De-partment of Animal Science with biomass. It is economically viable and also ben-eficial to the environment.