**5.2 Household bio-digesters**

Another research line has studied the technological development and performance of household bio-digesters for the use of biogas in the kitchen and the use of biol as an organic fertilizer. Low-cost tubular digesters originally were developed in tropical regions; to work in Andean Plateau designs and operation conditions had to be adapted to the extreme weather conditions of 3000-4000 m above sea level, where average annual temperatures are around 10 ºC. Since 2006, more than 30 digesters have been implemented in rural Andean communities of Peru by means of pilot research and development cooperation projects. In these projects, improvements in the design, in the used materials and in the management process where introduced. Moreover, two bio-digesters have been put at the National Institute of Farming Research (INIA) to be able to control and evaluate the biogas production under controlled conditions.

The adaptation of low-cost plastic tubular digesters originally developed for tropical areas to the conditions of the Andean plateau, continues to be a technological challenge. In this sense, research involving the characterization of the performance and the development of adapted and optimized designs has been developed. This information is needed in order to evaluate the performance of the systems, improve their efficiency and reduce capital costs, which would help fulfilling the strong demand for low-cost digesters by families and farmers in the Andes.

First, studies involving the analysis of biogas in such conditions were carried out to characterize the production, its composition and the burners' efficiency (Ferrer et al, 2011). To this end, two pilot plants were monitored and field campaigns were carried out in two representative household digesters of rural communities. In this study, we verified that specific biogas production in household digesters designed for extreme conditions of Andean communities was relatively low in comparison with digesters implemented in tropical areas, but methane content in biogas was high and a maximum burner's efficiency was around 52%. Currently, the biogas produced in household digesters is consumed during 2-3 h of cooking per day, depending on the location, weather and operation conditions. This accounts for 40-60 % of fuel requirements for cooking.

First, we study the anaerobic digestion of guinea pig manure alone in low-cost unheated tubular digesters, as guinea pig is one of the most common livestock in rural communities of the Andes (Garfi et al, 2011). Two greenhouse designs were compared: in the dome roof digester the temperature and biogas production were significantly higher than in the shed roof digester. In a preliminary fertilization study, the potato yield per hectare was increased by 100% using the effluent as bio-fertilizer. However, the biogas production rate was low, which is attributed to the low organic loading rate, so results recommend to improve manure management techniques, increasing the organic loading rate and co-digesting other substrates to enhance the process. Taking into account the low biogas potential of cow manure compared to other cattle dung, next studies analyses if the process was enhanced by co-digestion with other manure and food or vegetable wastes. Moreover, agricultural reuse of the digestate from low-cost tubular digesters as fertilizer is being analyzed (Garfi et al, in press).

## **6. Information and advocacy node**

CEDECAP aims to become a reference node in the Andean region in training in rural electrification and in the rational and efficient use of energy, in terms of disseminating information and promoting networking.

## **6.1 Information center**

164 Modeling and Optimization of Renewable Energy Systems

well as the detailed map of the wind and solar potential of the village and the costs and technical characteristics of the equipment. As constraints, we introduce the technical characteristics and relation between the generation, storage and distribution equipment. Moreover, social constraints to consider social characteristics of the village and to improve the performance of the system from a social point of view are also introduced. Recently, models have been extended to consider hybrid systems with wind and photovoltaic

Another research line has studied the technological development and performance of household bio-digesters for the use of biogas in the kitchen and the use of biol as an organic fertilizer. Low-cost tubular digesters originally were developed in tropical regions; to work in Andean Plateau designs and operation conditions had to be adapted to the extreme weather conditions of 3000-4000 m above sea level, where average annual temperatures are around 10 ºC. Since 2006, more than 30 digesters have been implemented in rural Andean communities of Peru by means of pilot research and development cooperation projects. In these projects, improvements in the design, in the used materials and in the management process where introduced. Moreover, two bio-digesters have been put at the National Institute of Farming Research (INIA) to be able to control and evaluate the biogas

The adaptation of low-cost plastic tubular digesters originally developed for tropical areas to the conditions of the Andean plateau, continues to be a technological challenge. In this sense, research involving the characterization of the performance and the development of adapted and optimized designs has been developed. This information is needed in order to evaluate the performance of the systems, improve their efficiency and reduce capital costs, which would help fulfilling the strong demand for low-cost digesters by families and

First, studies involving the analysis of biogas in such conditions were carried out to characterize the production, its composition and the burners' efficiency (Ferrer et al, 2011). To this end, two pilot plants were monitored and field campaigns were carried out in two representative household digesters of rural communities. In this study, we verified that specific biogas production in household digesters designed for extreme conditions of Andean communities was relatively low in comparison with digesters implemented in tropical areas, but methane content in biogas was high and a maximum burner's efficiency was around 52%. Currently, the biogas produced in household digesters is consumed during 2-3 h of cooking per day, depending on the location, weather and operation

First, we study the anaerobic digestion of guinea pig manure alone in low-cost unheated tubular digesters, as guinea pig is one of the most common livestock in rural communities of the Andes (Garfi et al, 2011). Two greenhouse designs were compared: in the dome roof digester the temperature and biogas production were significantly higher than in the shed roof digester. In a preliminary fertilization study, the potato yield per hectare was increased by 100% using the effluent as bio-fertilizer. However, the biogas production rate was low, which is attributed to the low organic loading rate, so results recommend to improve

conditions. This accounts for 40-60 % of fuel requirements for cooking.

generators (Ranaboldo et al, submitted) and micro hydraulic systems.

**5.2 Household bio-digesters** 

production under controlled conditions.

farmers in the Andes.

The CEDECAP has a library, which has technical documents about non-conventional energies and all the material generated in the events and training processes. Recently, the website has been updated to provide technical consulting service in addition to supplying information (documents, papers, reports). CEDECAP's website is independent from Practical Action's website, and until December 2009, 650 people had visited it. However, the website does not allow the user to connect directly to a specialist, but only indirectly.

The international courses on projects and systems design are a meeting place for NGOs, universities (students and teachers) and professional technicians. In addition, workshops that are organized around specific themes are the meeting point for civil society, universities, administration, private sector and government. In this sense, conversations with OLADE (Ecuador), that has 26 countries as partners, were initiated. Together with the organization, a virtual international course in micro hydroelectric power plants (both technical and management) was made using the OLADE platform. The alliance with OLADE allowed the groups to count on support to find demand in Latin America. Virtual courses are taken by OLADE as a success because the interesting and virtually forced subject reaches to 26 countries. For the CEDECAP the link is valuable because the institution has been recognized as a visible organization with expertise in the field of renewable energies. In particular, developing courses in a virtual platform (OLADE, 2008) allows not only training people from very different geographical areas, but also providing opportunities for participatory group learning with people of different cultures and personal and professional experiences.

#### **6.2 Networking center**

Promoting the CEDECAP means trying to promote networking, social connectivity, exchange and interaction between different actors involved in sustainable development in the region. Moreover, among the innovative aspects of CEDECAP, it is worth to mention the opportunity to break the paradigm that technology transfer is always from north to south. This project strengthens and promotes South-North and South-South transfers. In this sense, the center aims to create new spaces to canalize and share knowledge, and create new synergies between different actors in the public or private development, both South and North.

Promoting and Improving Renewable Energy Projects Through Local Capacity Development 167

includes funding instruments to ensure that the plan successfully translates in

The isolated rural electrification is usually accomplished by means of individual photovoltaic systems- without assessing the demand, needs, energy potentialities or community's organization. This lack of evaluation criteria tends to lead to inadequate solutions that do not meet demand, that install generators in non-priority sites, or that are technologically inappropriate. The omission of these factors implies the risk that the community will not appropriate itself the system, which would lead to inadequate management and maintenance. Consequently, many projects stop working in a few years due to technical or management problems. In most cases, standard solutions are not suitable and the appropriate design of the solutions, unlike what is normally considered, is not simple or easy. Furthermore, in isolated systems that do not have the flexibility to absorb new users or possible changes in the demand or in the demand profile, thus, a detailed project design is even more necessary in order to cover these aspects. In this sense, planning is essential to ensure the appropriate design of these autonomous

It is important to define what Rural Electrification Plan using Renewable Energies means. It is a process aiming to identify needs and energy potentialities from a geographic area, which is not included in the rural electrification plan of the country or a regional government. Furthermore, domestic and productive demand can be met through appropriate technologies at local and regional levels. It is noteworthy that this process is not independent or isolated, but aims to strengthen the work done by the regional energy agencies, providing real information and promoting internal dynamics that may be useful for a more harmonious development of the national

The methodology to implement a plan should consider the particularities of the electrification systems of each of the communities included in the plan. In particular, a rural electrification plan of isolated systems should: 1) encourage and involve the coordinated participation in all institutional and community levels, 2) obtain project proposals from complete analysis and studies that consider needs and potentials of people, and 3) consider and include funding mechanisms that ensure the plan runs successfully, translating in implemented projects. With this information, the CEDECAP coordinates with authorities such as the Ministry of Energy and Mines trying to link them to the energy access proposal

Thus, the first experiment in regional or local energy planning was carried out in the region of Cajamarca, province of San Pablo, where the rural electrification rate has increased from 13.6 to 19% in the period from 2007 to 2009, although it still remains one of the lowest of Peru [HDR, 2009]. The process lasted 10 months, and the projects portfolio was obtained and made funding search possible, both internally (FONCOMUN, Canon) and externally (international cooperation and regional government). The REP of San Pablo cost \$ 4000 and allowed to engage municipalities to invest S/. 4000000 (a quarter has already been spent on the development of isolated rural electrification projects). It is noteworthy the participation of district municipalities with their technical teams

implemented projects.

projects.

energetic sector.

from the population.

The formation of these knowledge networks, which will be promoted with greater emphasis on Latin American countries, will shape new ideas and proposals that contribute to reduce the gap of isolation between academicals, governmental, NGO and private institutions. Strengthening the approach between these institutions will result in, among others, the opportunity to influence public policies related to the technical proposal of the center.

In particular, the CEDECAP is the permanent headquarters of the technical secretariat of the Latin American Network of Hydro energy (HIDRORED), whose framework is the use of renewable energy in rural areas. HIDRORED is made up of public and private organizations, mostly universities, development cooperation organizations and centers that promote renewable energy in Latin America and Europe. The magazines HIDRORED and Energía y Desarrollo offer an information service about the experiences and activities of the organizations working in the field of energy and development. Currently, there is an extensive broadcast coverage: around 50 countries receive the editions of the magazines.

Among the events organized and held in the CEDECAP, for example, must be highlighted the XIII Latin American and Caribbean Meeting on small hydropower exploitation that took place between 20 and 24 July 2009. The event was organized by the Latin American Network of Energy (Hidrored), Practical Action – ITDG, Engineers Without Borders (ESF) and Green Empowerment (GE). The event was divided into 3 parts: 1) a course on evaluation, design, implementation and management of small-scale wind energy systems; 2) a conference including specialists, professionals, researchers and interested persons from Latin America; and 3) a meeting of the Latin American Network Hidrored. The target audience was: researchers and professionals interested on spreading their progress and experiences, officials of non-governmental institutions related to the implementation of PAH in Latin America and the Caribbean, officials of financial institutions, international cooperation agencies, multilateral development agencies, equipment manufacturers, contractors and consultants.
