1.4 Significance of Study
The dependence on fossil fuels as primary energy source has led to
global climate change, environmental degradation, and human health
problems. Moreover, the recent rise in oil and natural gas prices may
drive the current economy towards alternative energy sources such as
biogas. Security of energy supply especially sustainable energy and
reduction of CO2 emission are priorities and biogas fuel
helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Domestic biogas installations
can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in three ways: by changing the
manure management modality; by substituting fossil fuels and
non-renewable biomass for cooking (and to a smaller extent for lighting)
with biogas, and; by substituting chemical fertilizer with bio slurry.
Utilizing biogas as an alternative to fossil based fuels reduces the net
amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere. Biogas is regarded
as carbon neutral fuel because CO2 released is utilized
by plants for photosynthesis which creates organic matter from it. The
use of renewable energy sources can contribute to solve the present and
future energy problems. Among the alternative energy sources, biogas
production from green energy crops and organic wastes has world wide
application as it yields a good quality fuel and fermented slurry, which
may be used as a manure or soil conditioner.
2 Literature Review