Potential of Bioenergy in Rural Ghana

Abstract

Crop residues are common in rural Ghana due to the predominant role agriculture plays in livelihood activities in these communities. In this paper we investigate the prospects of exploiting agricultural crop residues for rural development in Ghana through bioenergy schemes. A theoretical energy potential of 623.84 PJ per year, which is equivalent to 19,781 MW was estimated using crop production data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and residue-to-product ratios. Ghana has a total installed generation capacity of 4577 MW which is four times less the energy potential of crop residues in the country. Cocoa pod husks were identified as important biomass resources for energy generation as they are currently wasted. To further assess the energy potential of cocoa pod husks, different cocoa pod husks samples were collected across the six cocoa growing regions in Ghana and thermo-chemically characterised using proximate and ultimate analysis. The low levels of nitrogen and sulphur observed, together with the high heating value, suggest that cocoa pod husks and for that matter crop residues are eco-friendly feedstock that can be used to power rural communities in Ghana.

Assessment of agricultural residue potential for electrification of off-grid communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of Ghana

“…The RPR and the RF of the residues from maize, cassava, millet and groundnut are presented in Table 3. The RPR obtained for cassava conforms with the one presented by Nelson et al [30]. The RF values also conform with the ones presented by Ayamga et al [22].…”

“…A total of about 219 of 12-unit classroom block schools and 263 CHPS compounds can be adequately supplied with electricity from the four selected crops residues. This suggests that, considering crop residue for electricity generation in rural offgrid communities can be used to solve or complement the electricity access deficit of rural communities in Ghana [30]. Providing electricity access to rural communities, considering the various loads from schools, health centers, households and commercial activities will go a long way to improve people's standard of living, access to quality education and health services in those communities [27].…”

Energy Stored in Above-Ground Biomass Fractions and Model Trees of the Main Coniferous Woody Plants

“…Tree species are richer in energy than herbaceous species, and, in general, the energy content depends directly on the carbon content in each substance [46]. The higher fixed carbon content of a biomass feedstock, the higher the heating value [47]. Among the plant substances, the highest energy content is lignin (26.4 kJ g −1 ), lipids (38.9 kJ g −1 ) and terpenes (up to 46.9 kJ g −1 ).…”

An Overview of Scientific Production of Renewable Energies in Ghana

“…Ghana has large arable and mass of land that has been degraded and can be of huge potential in planting trees and cultivation of crops and plants that can be turned into various solid and liquid biofuels. Biomass is the major energy resource in Ghana in regard to production and consumption, with the two primary consumed biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel [42]. Figure 4 shows biofuel production, transportation, and consumption in Ghana [7,43].…”