Energy Ministry backs nationwide biogas project for SHSs

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• Dr Kofi Ampomah-Benefo, Senior Research Scientist and Lead Expert in Energy Generation and Organic Waste Management Resources 5 months ago

  CSIR-IIR: The Indispensable Scientific Backbone for Ghana's School Biogas Revolution – Defining Their Critical Role in a Collaborative Ecosystem
  ACCRA, Ghana – July 15, 2025 – Ghana stands on the cusp of a profound ene ...
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  CSIR-IIR: The Indispensable Scientific Backbone for Ghana's School Biogas Revolution – Defining Their Critical Role in a Collaborative Ecosystem
  ACCRA, Ghana – July 15, 2025 – Ghana stands on the cusp of a profound energy transformation within its educational sector. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition's ambitious plan to roll out biodigesters to 200 Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the nation signals a decisive shift towards clean energy, improved sanitation, and a healthier learning environment. This is a monumental undertaking that necessitates a robust collaborative effort, bringing together government, research institutions, local private companies, and industry associations.
  While the Ministry provides the overarching vision and policy direction, and the private sector drives implementation, the scientific and technical foundation for sustained success lies squarely with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR). Their unique expertise and proven track record make them an indispensable architect of this green revolution.
  The Indispensable Roles CSIR-IIR Will Play in a Collaborative Ecosystem:
  1. Lead Research & Development of Contextualized Biogas Technologies:
  o Designing Ghana-Specific Solutions: CSIR-IIR will continue to lead the research and development of biodigester designs that are optimized for Ghanaian conditions. This includes evaluating local waste streams (kitchen waste, human excreta), material availability, climate, and the technical capacity of school staff for operation and maintenance. Their existing work on the Anaerobic Baffled Bio-Digester (ABBD) and the Integrated Biodigester (IBD) exemplifies this crucial role, ensuring that the deployed technology is efficient, cost-effective, and robust for the local context.
  o Innovation for Scale: As the project scales to 200 schools, CSIR-IIR will be vital in identifying and developing innovations that enhance efficiency, reduce construction time and cost, and improve the longevity of the biogas systems. This continuous improvement through research is essential for a national rollout.
  2. Conducting Technical Feasibility Studies and Site Assessments:
  o Tailored Implementation Plans: For each of the 200 SHSs, CSIR-IIR will conduct thorough technical feasibility studies. This involves assessing the volume and type of organic waste generated, the available space for biodigester installation, water availability, and the school's specific energy demands. This meticulous approach ensures that each biodigester system is custom-fitted and optimized for maximum biogas production and utilization.
  o Problem Identification and Mitigation: Their expertise will be crucial in identifying potential challenges unique to each school's environment and developing appropriate mitigation strategies before construction begins, minimizing unforeseen issues during implementation.
  3. Setting Standards and Ensuring Quality Control:
  o National Guidelines: CSIR-IIR will collaborate with regulatory bodies like the Energy Commission and MESTI to develop and enforce national standards and quality control protocols for biogas technology. This includes specifications for biodigester materials, construction techniques, safety features, and biogas quality. Standardized approaches are critical for achieving consistent performance across a large number of installations.
  o Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks: They will also contribute to establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the performance of the installed biodigesters, ensuring they meet their intended environmental, energy, and sanitation objectives.
  4. Capacity Building and Training for All Stakeholders:
  o Empowering Local Workforce: CSIR-IIR will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering comprehensive training programs for engineers, technicians, and local artisans from private companies on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the biodigester systems. This ensures local ownership and sustained functionality long after initial installation.
  o Educating School Personnel: Crucially, they will develop user-friendly training modules for school administrators, kitchen staff, and maintenance teams on the daily operation of the biodigesters, proper waste segregation, and basic troubleshooting, fostering self-sufficiency within the schools. These training programs will be critical for companies like DAS Biogas, who are actively involved in the on-the-ground installations, to ensure their teams are equipped with the latest, locally-relevant knowledge.
  5. Policy Advocacy and Strategic Guidance:
  o Informing National Policy: Drawing on their research and practical experience, CSIR-IIR will continue to provide scientific input and strategic guidance to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant bodies in shaping national policies that support the growth of the biogas sector. Their advocacy for a "one school, one biodigester" policy underscores their long-term vision.
  o Unlocking Further Investment: By demonstrating the tangible benefits and technical viability of biogas through their work, CSIR-IIR indirectly helps to de-risk the sector for potential investors and unlock crucial carbon financing mechanisms, as highlighted by the Ministry's discussions with international partners.
  Partnering for Success: The Roles of Local Private Companies and the Biogas Association of Ghana
  The success of this initiative is deeply intertwined with the active participation of key local private companies and the vital support of the Biogas Association of Ghana (BAG):
  • Local Private Companies (e.g., DAS Biogas, Safisana): These companies are the implementation arm of the project.
  o On-the-Ground Installation and Maintenance: Companies like DAS Biogas, which has already successfully piloted projects at Accra Girls' Senior High School and the Police Training Academy, will be responsible for the actual construction and installation of the biodigester units in the 200 SHSs.
  o Service Delivery: They will provide ongoing maintenance, technical support, and potentially collect and manage organic waste inputs for the biodigesters.
  o Innovation & Product Development: Private companies also bring their own innovative products and solutions, such as DAS Biogas's portable prefabricated biogas plants, offering diverse options for schools.
  o Carbon Financing Mobilization: They are crucial in engaging with international partners to unlock carbon financing, which the Ministry notes will place no financial burden on the government.
  • Biogas Association of Ghana (BAG): As the umbrella body for the biogas industry, BAG plays a crucial facilitative and advocacy role.
  o Industry Representation: BAG serves as the collective voice for companies, practitioners, and researchers in the biogas sector, advocating for policies and regulations that foster a conducive environment for industry growth.
  o Quality Standards & Training: BAG works to promote quality standards in the design and construction of biogas plants by its members. They can also coordinate and participate in training programs, often in collaboration with institutions like CSIR-IIR, to enhance the skills of the biogas workforce.
  o Knowledge Sharing & Awareness Creation: BAG is vital in disseminating information about biogas technology, its benefits, and best practices to a wider audience, including schools and communities, encouraging broader adoption.
  o Market Development: They actively work to develop the biogas market, connecting suppliers with demand and addressing common challenges faced by biogas companies.
  In conclusion, the vision for clean cooking in Ghana's schools is bright, and the political will is evident. However, without the deep scientific knowledge, practical innovation, and commitment to capacity building that CSIR-IIR brings, coupled with the implementation prowess of local private companies and the advocacy and coordination of the Biogas Association of Ghana, this ambitious project risks becoming a mere series of installations rather than a truly transformative and sustainable national program. This collaborative ecosystem, with CSIR-IIR as its scientific compass, is the strategic imperative for Ghana's green future.

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• JESUS IS GOD 5 months ago

  Jesus Christ loves you and wants to save you from sin and its consequences. He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Believe in Him, accept His gift of forgiveness, and receive eternal ...
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  Jesus Christ loves you and wants to save you from sin and its consequences. He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Believe in Him, accept His gift of forgiveness, and receive eternal life! (John 3:16)Love..

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• Musa 5 months ago

  Is it made from shit? When plenty people shit at the same place, we can have gas? Let's have one pipe transporting all made in ghana shit for mass production of shit gas. Hopefully Nigeria with their big population can export ...
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  Is it made from shit? When plenty people shit at the same place, we can have gas? Let's have one pipe transporting all made in ghana shit for mass production of shit gas. Hopefully Nigeria with their big population can export shit gas to the rest of Africa.

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• Kaba 4 months ago

  Governments have done this before you and it didn't work. What have you learnt from past mistakes? People want to run away from high electric bill but many homes are not using biogas as fuel. Does the technology actually work ...
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  Governments have done this before you and it didn't work. What have you learnt from past mistakes? People want to run away from high electric bill but many homes are not using biogas as fuel. Does the technology actually work for us?

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