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Trees with dense wood and high calorific value ensure efficient and sustainable burning, surpassing fossil fuels!
End of fossil fuels? Researchers from Rwanda Forestry Authority identified two species of trees capable of producing clean electricity, offering an alternative sustainable for isolated regions that suffer from energy shortages.
The initiative aligns with the country's efforts to achieve 100% electricity coverage by 2030, an ambitious goal that faces obstacles due to the difficulty of bringing infrastructure to rural communities.
Are fossil fuels a thing of the past? Biomass as an energy source
In order to explore alternative sources, scientists are evaluating biomass as a substitute for fossil fuels. According to Bonaventure Ntirugulirwa, senior researcher and project leader, biomass is a source underutilized, despite its significant energy potential.”This project aims to meet electricity needs in areas where access is scarce.“, explained Ntirugulirwa.
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Among the species tested, Senna siamea and Gliricidia sepium trees stood out. These fast-growing plants have dense wood and a high calorific value, which makes them more efficient at generating heat and energy than conventional options.
This type of biomass, in addition to being ecological, offers a viable and economical alternative for communities far from urban centers.
Additional Benefits of Energy Trees
In addition to generating energy, the project offers environmental and social benefits. The trees chosen have the potential to contribute to soil quality, promote food security and help mitigate climate change, a significant impact on rural communities.
According to Ntirugulirwa, “This study goes beyond electricity, also seeking to promote sustainability and reduce rural poverty. "
Other multipurpose trees investigated in the study include Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Senna spectabilis, which provide not only biomass but also essential resources for farmers.
The project allows farmers themselves to select the practices and species best suited to their needs, facilitating the use of these trees for a variety of purposes, from fuel to fertilizer.
Electricity production with biomass from trees
To advance in the production of electricity, the team of researchers began analyzing the biomass of these trees with the Rwanda Standards Board, checking their calorific value.
However, to assess additional elements such as carbon and hydrogen, it will still be necessary to send samples to laboratories in Sweden, as Rwanda does not have sufficient infrastructure.
The project, which also involves local farmers, aims to integrate these communities into the energy production process. Ntirugulirwa emphasizes that the active participation of farmers is essential to generate enough biomass to meet the energy demand in the most remote regions.
expert opinion
Bioenergy experts support the project as an alternative to fossil fuels. Babatunde Ajayi, a professor at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria, highlighted the positive impact of this alternative for generating electricity in rural areas.It is a relief to see an initiative that addresses energy scarcity and rural poverty at the same time“, said Ajayi, comparing the use of biomass to solar energy, in which the natural resource is converted into electricity through a sustainable process.
Ajayi also highlighted the potential for replicating this model to other African regions with similar challenges.
