Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Bottling of biogas has been suggested as on option for providing accessible, renewable, clean energy to individual households. This project aims to provide bottled biogas as a clean cooking option in Kenya.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Biomethane, also called renewable gas, is a combustible gas that is produced from biogas that has undergone a treatment known as “upgrading.” Through this process, which removes certain impurities from the biogas like CO2 for example, the gas is brought to a methane ratio of around 95%. This purity grade allows for it to be incorporated into the gas network The underlying principle for compression of biogas is to increase pressure and reduce volume, to improve storage and transport options and to concentrate energy content. It has been established that compression of upgraded biogas is more effective than raw biogas, and various compressor systems exist, which can be used in conjunction with upgrading technologies. Biogas can be compressed, stored in LPG cylinder and made transportable. To make biogas suitable for cooking application it is compressed up to 4 bar after purification, moisture removal and filled in LPG cylinder.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Almost 3 billion people use biomass, coal or dung for cooking: smoke from fuel combustion contributes to some 4 million premature deaths annually. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commit countries to improving access to clean energy, but progress is slow. Furthermore, achieving access for poorer people often involves provision of low-power electricity connections, not addressing cooking. Clean cooking initiatives include efficient solid-fuel stoves, various forms of household-scale waste digestors for biogas, innovations for electricity using batteries and use of bottled gas (notably Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)), all of which have different greenhouse-gas (GHG) emission impacts.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. Alternative to natural gas. Biomethane can provide the system benefits of natural gas (storage, flexibility, high-temperature heat) without the net carbon emissions. As economies decarbonize, this becomes a crucial attribute. Biogas provides a sustainable supply of heat and power that can serve communities seeking local, decentralized sources of energy, as well as a valuable cooking fuel for developing countries. 2. Boost the circular economy: As it allows efficient management and harnessing of organic waste, since the digestates obtained are returned to the field as fertilizers. 3.Create employment: The production of biomethane leads to further development of rural areas and increases the creation of jobs related to the agricultural and livestock sectors. It also contributes to the sustainability of the agro-livestock sector as its self-consumption aids in decarbonizing that sector.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Developing countries Many developing countries face significant energy shortages and lack reliable access to electricity and clean fuels. Bottled biomethane can provide an alternative energy source, especially in remote and rural areas where energy infrastructure is limited. Bottled biomethane can serve as an off-grid energy solution for cooking, heating, and even electricity generation, reducing dependency on traditional biomass and kerosene

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

n/a

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngugithuo?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Biomethane is produced from organic materials such as agricultural waste, manure, and food waste through anaerobic digestion. As a renewable energy source, it helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, promoting a cleaner energy mix. The production and use of biomethane can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By capturing methane from organic waste that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, biomethane production helps mitigate climate change.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

2

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Biomethane production fosters the development of new, sustainable industries. It offers an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources, promoting cleaner production processes and a more sustainable industrial landscape.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Biomethane production can significantly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG by reducing Landfill Waste: Biomethane production diverts organic waste from landfills. Landfills generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during decomposition. Biomethane capture and utilization reduce overall methane emissions and the need for additional landfills. The production process also creates valuable byproduct: The digestion process used to create biomethane produces a nutrient-rich digestate. This digestate can be used as a fertilizer, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Biomethane production aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by reducing Waste: Biomethane digesters utilize organic waste materials like manure, food scraps, and sewage sludge. This diverts waste from landfills, where it decomposes and generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By using waste as a resource for energy production, biomethane promotes responsible waste management practices. It also promotes sustainable Resource Utilization: Biomethane is a renewable energy source derived from organic materials. This contrasts with traditional fossil fuels which are finite resources. By promoting the use of biomethane, we shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns and reduce reliance on non-renewable resources

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

6

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

Bottling biomethane specifically for home cooking is a relatively new approach. It caters to a specific niche within the renewable energy for home applications market.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a major competitor for bottled biomethane, particularly due to it's established Infrastructure: LPG has a well-developed network for production, distribution, and readily available refillable canisters. Consumers can easily find and purchase refills. However, Biomethane is a sustainable and renewable resource, unlike LPG which is a fossil fuel. Biomethane also burns cleaner than LPG, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and it's production helps divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions from decomposition. As technology advances and production scales up, bottled biomethane could become more cost-competitive with LPG

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

No