Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process
Small-scale biogas systems can play a pivotal role in sustainable energy provision, particularly in developing countries. However, their dependence on livestock manure as the only feedstock poses challenges to their adoption and long-term viability. This often leads to insufficient biogas production...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Joshua Ngetuny Tobias Baldauf Wilfried Zörner |
| author_facet | Joshua Ngetuny Tobias Baldauf Wilfried Zörner |
| author_sort | Joshua Ngetuny |
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| description | Small-scale biogas systems can play a pivotal role in sustainable energy provision, particularly in developing countries. However, their dependence on livestock manure as the only feedstock poses challenges to their adoption and long-term viability. This often leads to insufficient biogas production and plant abandonment. This study proposes co-digestion of livestock manure with other farm residues to enhance the technical sustainability of small-scale biogas systems by ensuring adequate and consistent biogas production throughout the plant’s lifespan, minimizing the risks associated with reliance on a single feedstock. A novel feedstock selection approach is developed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multicriteria decision-making method, to prioritize feedstocks based on adequacy, supply consistency, and logistical ease. AHP is chosen due to its capability to handle both quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria. This approach is applied to the Fès-Meknès region of Morocco, which offers abundant livestock and crop residues alongside product utilization pathways. The prioritization and ranking of the potential feedstocks identified in the region reveals cattle manure as the top-ranked feedstock due to its consistent supply and ease of collection, followed by straw, valued for its storability and nutrient stability. Sheep, horse, and chicken manure ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, while household food waste and fruit and vegetable residues, limited by seasonality and perishability, were ranked lower. Based on these findings, co-digestion of cattle manure and straw is proposed as a sustainable strategy for small-scale biogas plants in Fès-Meknès, addressing feedstock shortages, enhancing biogas production, and reducing plant abandonment. This approach strengthens technical sustainability and promotes the broader adoption of biogas technologies in developing countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e5dc961e6fb49beb21ecb2bb0850654 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e5dc961e6fb49beb21ecb2bb08506542025-08-20T02:15:55ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187173910.3390/en18071739Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy ProcessJoshua Ngetuny0Tobias Baldauf1Wilfried Zörner2Institute of New Energy Systems (InES), Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, GermanyInstitute of New Energy Systems (InES), Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, GermanyInstitute of New Energy Systems (InES), Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), Esplanade 10, 85049 Ingolstadt, GermanySmall-scale biogas systems can play a pivotal role in sustainable energy provision, particularly in developing countries. However, their dependence on livestock manure as the only feedstock poses challenges to their adoption and long-term viability. This often leads to insufficient biogas production and plant abandonment. This study proposes co-digestion of livestock manure with other farm residues to enhance the technical sustainability of small-scale biogas systems by ensuring adequate and consistent biogas production throughout the plant’s lifespan, minimizing the risks associated with reliance on a single feedstock. A novel feedstock selection approach is developed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multicriteria decision-making method, to prioritize feedstocks based on adequacy, supply consistency, and logistical ease. AHP is chosen due to its capability to handle both quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria. This approach is applied to the Fès-Meknès region of Morocco, which offers abundant livestock and crop residues alongside product utilization pathways. The prioritization and ranking of the potential feedstocks identified in the region reveals cattle manure as the top-ranked feedstock due to its consistent supply and ease of collection, followed by straw, valued for its storability and nutrient stability. Sheep, horse, and chicken manure ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, while household food waste and fruit and vegetable residues, limited by seasonality and perishability, were ranked lower. Based on these findings, co-digestion of cattle manure and straw is proposed as a sustainable strategy for small-scale biogas plants in Fès-Meknès, addressing feedstock shortages, enhancing biogas production, and reducing plant abandonment. This approach strengthens technical sustainability and promotes the broader adoption of biogas technologies in developing countries.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1739small-scale biogasanalytic hierarchy processsystematic approachsustainability of biogas systemsbiogas plant feedstock selectionbiogas in developing countries |
| spellingShingle | Joshua Ngetuny Tobias Baldauf Wilfried Zörner Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process Energies small-scale biogas analytic hierarchy process systematic approach sustainability of biogas systems biogas plant feedstock selection biogas in developing countries |
| title | Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process |
| title_full | Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process |
| title_short | Optimizing Feedstock Selection for Sustainable Small-Scale Biogas Systems Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process |
| title_sort | optimizing feedstock selection for sustainable small scale biogas systems using the analytic hierarchy process |
| topic | small-scale biogas analytic hierarchy process systematic approach sustainability of biogas systems biogas plant feedstock selection biogas in developing countries |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1739 |
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