Biogas can be combusted or oxidised with oxygen. The energy released makes it possible to use biogas as a fuel. It is easily used for heating purposes, but in a gas engine the energy can be converted to electricity or heat. Therefor biogas is a sustainable energy which can replace the use of firewood and charcoal.
Firewood needs to be collected which is a physically-challenging and time-consuming acitivity. However, the main issue with the use of firewood and charcoal is the smoke that emerges when cooking. Because often meals are cooked in a small hut with no chimney or air circulation. The smoke has a major impact on people’s health. Indoor air pollution was linked to 4.3 million deaths in 2012 (World Health Organization, 2014).
If an institution or farmer possesses cows, biogas will cost less than the firewood that is bought because it can be produced from animal manure which is available for free. It will be necessary to invest in a biogas generator and to commit to its maintenance.
The byproduct of the production of biogas, is a slurry which makes a very fruitful fertilizer. Nowadays chemical fertilizers are used. With a biogas generator, chemical fertilizer unnecessary so money can be saved once more. Besides the financial benefits, the fertilizer is completely natural and therefor a lot healthier for the crops and of course the people consuming them.