Analysis of Current Status and Problems of Domestic Biogas Plants in Gomma Woreda.

Abstract

Increasing population, scarcity of resources and material, environmental pressures, and climate change are issues that challenge our current fossil-based economy. Anaerobic digestion of cattle manure produce energy rich biogas and nutrient rich fertilizer, while reducing environmental pollution and indoor pollution, work load of women‟s etc. For the promotion of biogas in Ethiopia, the standardized SINIDU fixed dome model have been introduced with varying sizes of 4, 6, 8 and 10 m3 , covering the daily energy demand excluding the periodical Injera baking. Several programs have been implemented to disseminate biogas technology in many parts of Ethiopia, but still 2014 G.C only 8,063 plants were installed. Their success rate was however been poor. This study assessed the current status and analyzes problems of 40 installed household biogas plants in Gomma Woreda of Jimma zone by using questionnaire, observation and interview of biogas owners and other stakeholders. Out of the 39 plants under analysis, 27 (69.23%) plants were functioning satisfactorily without defects, 10 (25.64%) plants were functioning partly with defects, 2 (5.13%) plants were not functioning and the remaining 1 plant is not started at all during the time of field investigation. Reasons for the defect and nonfunctioning include missed information given during promotion, non-availability of cow dung for feed, breakdown of structure, leakage of gas holder due to corrosion, absence of maintenance services, lack of operational knowledge.