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Accelerating the diffusion of domestic biogas is considered to be a promising option for reaching the goal of universal access to energy by 2030, particularly for the provision of cooking energy for rural populations in developing countries. The aim of this study is to develop a systematic account of the factors that influence the diffusion of domestic biogas technologies. To achieve this objective, a three step analysis approach is applied. In the first step, a conceptual model is built based on insights from scholars that have been studying the diffusion of energy innovations in rural contexts. In the next step, a qualitative content analysis of scientific literature is undertaken to test and refine the categories proposed by the conceptual model and to systematically organise the empirical evidence of the factors that influence the diffusion of domestic biogas in developing and emerging countries. The systemised evidence is used to identify the components and interactions between the household configurations and socio-economic context that determine both the adoption process at household level and the overall technology diffusion. Finally, in the last step, we reflect on the implications of the resultant systematic conceptualisation regarding the purpose and design of programmes promoting the dissemination of domestic biogas technologies.

Ethiopia experiences an energy and environmental crisis due to the sustained reliance on woody biomass to satisfy its energy needs. This situation could be improved by using biogas. This paper analyses the current status of the domestic biogas sector in Ethiopia and identifies barriers and drivers that influence its development and further growth. The analytical framework used for the analysis combines the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM). The information sources are: desk study through literature and internet research, online interviews and questionnaires with Ethiopian stakeholders, and an extensive field study including a large number of interviews with stakeholders inside and outside Ethiopia. The biogas sector in Ethiopia started with the launch of the National Domestic Biogas (NBPE) programme in 2008, which has led to the dissemination of over 8000 biodigesters so far, about 60% of what was initially intended. The use of domestic biogas has been triggered by the energy crisis in Ethiopia and the suitability of the technology with the physical geography. However, the dissemination has been affected by factors such as economic instability, poverty and illiteracy. Also, many Ethiopian farmers are trapped in a lock-in, where due to their limited purchasing power they cannot afford the niche technology; at least in the way it is being disseminated. Within the emerging biogas sector, the NBPE designated a diverse set of actors to contribute to the implementation of the niche technology. However, their alignment is poor and the private sector is not involved. Expectations have had to be lowered because targets were not met. Also, learning processes are not optimal. The paper is innovative because it provides an up-to-date review of status of and bottlenecks and drivers in the biogas sector in Ethiopia and it provides more insight in the applicability of the SNM and MLP frameworks to a sustainable innovation in a developing country.

This article is on the study of the C/N ratio in the domestic biogas usable wastes. The global objective was to detect the concentration of nitrogen and carbon, the determination of the ratio as well as their connection in the different types of biogas usable wastes. The authors took samples, tested and studied it in laboratories in Lwiro and others were done in the National Program of Biogas for Burkina-Faso 2005. To observe the concentration and connection, the correlation test wad used. TheKjeldhal methodand the statistic one have allowed attending results. The test for the animal and human wastes gave a correlation of 0.362 and 0.95 respectively. It showed however no correlation for the agricultural wastes with 24, because this numeral wasn’t in the space of -1 and 1. The average C/N ratio was is 24, 9 for first type and 74 for the second type of wastes.

Domestic biogas technology helps to foster sustainable development in different ways. It is particularly important in countries like Ethiopia where about 80% of the population lives in rural areas, and more than 90% of the households use solid biomass for cooking. In light of this, the Government of Ethiopia has launched a National Biogas Programme in 2008. The Programme, now in its third phase, has successfully installed tens of thousands of biogas digesters. This paper aims to give a macroeconomic insight on the role of the biogas sector in Ethiopia. The annual gross value of biogas outputs reached USD 7.7 million in 2015/16. Installing biogas digesters contributes USD 1.4 million each year to the construction industry. Results of the study indicate that the micro and macroeconomic contributions of biogas sector partly rely on the effective utilization of its co-product (i.e., the slurry) as fertilizer. Agricultural policies of the country should therefore highlight and link domestic biogas production with the extension services.