I don’t think this can be found on the internet anywhere, but I am here in Ghana, Africa working with an engineering professor who specializes in biogas production. He is leading a number of pilot projects around the country to help Ghana have access to more sustainable and renewable energy sources.
It is the end of April now, and it is amazingly hot here in K**asi, Ghana. And even more so where I was staying in the village of Bole. But accompanying the heat is (most often) a very important renewable energy source that can be tapped: the Sun! My professors projects mostly combine solar energy and biogas production.
One of his project sites is a food dehydration company. Citrus fruits are harvested, and their wastes (peels and other organic matter) are dried under a solar-powered dryer until they are transferred to the biodigester which then helps to provide power to replace the diesel engine which is currently being used to dry the actual profitable parts of the fruit that is harvested. An amazing idea, I thought when I saw it, and I suggested to him that we incorporate something like that in Bole where I am working on one of his other projects.
His Bole project is to teach rural women to process
Shea Butter in an improved way so that they get more money for their product in the market. The waste from the Shea nuts used can be put into a biodigester, the same way as was stated above. The energy created by the biogas could be used to dry the Shea nuts that are harvested afterwards.
These projects are still in their infancy, but I am glad to be a part of one. When I finish my project work, hopefully I can update on what we learned and accomplished, as well as where and how we can improve in the future.
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