**9. Conclusion**

**CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY Anaerobic digestion Fermentation Others**

> Food crops and by-products, forest residues, biowaste,

Transportation fuel, animal

Wastewater, nitrates and

Land use impact -




energy crops

feed, fertilizer

phosphates

A critical analysis of the potential of biomass as an energy source has been presented. The analysis shows that Tanzania has abundant biomass resources for modern power genera‐ tion. It is evident from the analysis that a large potential exist for exploitation of available biomass to be converted into modern energy. Thus, it is the role of the government, private companies, NGOs, and individuals to increase the share of renewable energies i.e. biomass within the national energy mix. Since biomass is the most important renewable energy source used in the country, the demand for biomass as energy resource will inevitably in‐

To what extent biomass will penetrate future energy markets in the country; this depends on various aspects; e.g. availability of the resources, the costs of biomass fuels, the develop‐ ment of conversion technologies, cost of converted biomass energy, and social and/or insti‐ tutional factors. The use of agricultural crop residues, animal waste, and industrial waste as energy sources is a promising opportunity to reduce pressure on energy supply. Since the use is, in the most cases, in compliance with sustainability criteria such as protection of re‐ sources, compatibility with environment and climate, social compatibility issues, low risk

Biomass could meet the primary energy demand of the country. And a considerable share could be used for modem power generation within the different conversion routes; the ther‐ mal- chemical conversion routes offer opportunities for those residues which are predomi‐ nantly dry such as rice straw and husk. In view of the availability of waste biomass e.g. food waste, industrial waste, city and municipal solid waste (CMSW) anaerobic digestion is a

and error tolerance, and furthermore, it promotes economic efficiency.

**Input material** Biowaste, Wastewaters, by-

**Applications** Transportation fuel,

**Table 12.** Summary of conversion Technologies

**Direct Environmental**

264 New Developments in Renewable Energy

**Indirect environmental**

**8. Discussion**

crease in the near future.

promising route.

**Impact**

**Impact**

products, energy crops

fertilizer, CHP

Energy needs, carbon dioxide emissions

Potential water impact of digestate spreading on land

**Product** Biogas Alcohol, Ethanol - **By product** Rejects, water Rejects, water and gases **Post treatment** Moisture removal Water removal -

> Biomass is one of the renewable energy sources that can make a significant c contribution to the developing world's future energy supply. Tanzania has a large potential for biomass production. The forms in which biomass can be used for energy are diverse, Optimal resour‐ ces, technologies and entire systems will be shaped by local conditions, both physical and socio-economic in nature.

> Though I have mentioned it numerous times, it bears repeating that the majority of people in the country will continue using biomass as their primary energy source well into the next century. A critical issue for policy-makers concerned with public health, local environmen‐ tal degradation, and global environmental change is that biomass-based energy truly can be modernized, and that such a transformation can yield multiple socioeconomic and environ‐ mental benefits. Conversion of biomass to energy carriers like electricity and transportation fuels will give biomass a commercial value, and potentially provide income for local rural economies. It will also reduce national dependence on imported fuels, and reduce the envi‐ ronmental and public health impacts of fossil fuel combustion. To make progress, biomass

markets and necessary infrastructure must be developed with the realization that the largescale commoditization of biomass resources can have negative impacts to poor households that rely on it for their basic needs. Hence, measures must be taken to ensure that the poor have an opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the development of biomass markets.

**11. Glossary**

URT-United Republic of Tanzania

RETs-Renewable Energy Technologies

TANESCO- Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited

REA- Rural Energy Agency

GPD- Gross Domestic Product

HFO- Heavy fuel Oil

C-Carbon

H-Hydrogen N-Nitrogen O-Oxygen

Cl-Chlorine

S-Sulphur

liquid fuels

gy source

CH4-Methane gas

CO- Carbon monoxide

MSW-Municipal solid waste

NGOs-Non – Government Organizations CMSW- City and Municipal Solid Waste

MEM-Ministry of Energy and Minerals

Anaerobic- Digestion Combustible gas called biogas produced from biogas through low

Biomass Conversion to Energy in Tanzania: A Critique

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/ 52956

267

Bioenergyhe- conversion of biomass into useful forms of energy such as heat, electricity and

Biogas-The common name for a gas produced by the biological process of anaerobic (with‐

Biomass-Organic, non-fossil material of biological origin constituting an exploitable ener‐

Bagasse-The fibre residue that remain after juice extraction from sugarcane

CHP- Combined Heat and Power

temperature biological processes

out air) digestion of organic material

CO2-Carbon dioxide

In addition, high efficiency conversion technologies and advanced fuel production systems for methanol, ethanol and hydrogen must be demonstrated and commercialized in the coun‐ try. Meanwhile, and experiences in industrialized countries should be shared openly. Fur‐ ther, projects must not be concentrated in one region alone. Biomass is obviously a resource that intimately depends on local environmental factors, and experiences gained in other countries will not wholly apply. The benefits of modernized bioenergy systems will only be enjoyed globally if efforts are made to gain experience in a wide variety of ecological and socioeconomic venues.

Biomass can play a major role in reducing the reliance on fossil fuels by making use of ther‐ mo-chemical conversion technologies. In addition, the increased utilization of biomassbased fuels will be instrumental in safeguarding the environment, generation of new job opportunities, sustainable development and health improvements in rural areas. The devel‐ opment of efficient biomass handling technology, improvement of agro-forestry systems and establishment of small and large-scale biomass-based power plants can play a major role in rural development. Biomass energy could also aid in modernizing the agricultural economy. A large amount of energy is expended in the cultivation and processing of crops like sugarcane, coconut, and rice which can met by utilizing energy-rich residues for elec‐ tricity production. The integration of biomass-fuelled gasifier in coal-fired power stations would be advantageous in terms of improved flexibility in response to fluctuations in bio‐ mass availability and lower investment costs. The growth of the bioenergy industry can also be achieved by laying more stress on green power marketing.
