Economic analysis of biomass briquettes made from coconut shells, rattan waste, banana peels and sugarcane bagasse in households cooking.

The aim of this study is to analyse the economic viability of cooking biomass briquettes made from coconut shells, rattan waste, banana peels, and sugarcane bagasse by replacing conventional fuels such as fuelwood, charcoal and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The life cycle cost method and the sensitivity analysis based on a 10-year lifetime are applied to a typical Cameroonian household with an annual cooking energy requirement of 950 kWh. According to the results, briquettes made from coconut shells have the lowest life cycle cost (384.6€), while those made from banana peels have the highest cost (729.6€). The fuelwood replacement has the highest present value of net benefit. Among the three conventional fuels investigated, wood charcoal is the cheapest. Changes in the price of conventional fuels and the market discount rate affect the economic feasibility of biomass briquettes. With the exception of the banana peel briquettes, briquettes are more cost-effective than fuelwood, wood charcoal and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Decision makers should consider ways to include massive household use of biomass briquettes in sustainable development because they could be a leading mover in sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]