Estimation of biogas production potential and greenhouse gas emissions reduction for sustainable energy management using intelligent computing technique

This paper presents estimation of Biogas Production Potential and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction for sustainable energy management using intelligent computing technique. Slaughterhouse wastes present a promising opportunity to partially reduce reliance on fossil-based energy. Biogas technology is regarded as one of the methods used in Ghana and can be used to combat climate change, while meeting demand for energy in the country. The objective of the research seeks to theoretically estimate biogas production potential from livestock and slaughterhouse wastes in Ghana, in order for policymakers to consider biogas technology as a potential source of renewable energy to meet the country's energy demand, while contributing to the SDG goals. This study obtained livestock population data from the Ministry of Food & Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock from 2010 to 2020, and estimated the livestock waste production from slaughterhouses, biogas generation capacity, electricity production potential, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential and biofertilizer generation capacity of Ghana in the fiscal year 2020. The findings indicated that, in the year 2020, slaughterhouses in Ghana generated 4.205 × 1010 kg of waste which can be used to produce 6.792 × 109 m3 of biogas, electricity generation rate of 7.110 × 109 kwh/year which represents about 43.01% of the total electricity consumed in the country that year. Also, the amount of GHG (CO2) emissions by using methane from the AD is 3.631 × 109 kgCO2. The avoided GHG emissions estimated is 1.075 × 1010 kg and biofertilizer of 4.514 × 108 kg can be produced.