This activity is focusing its research on the sustainable utilization of water hyacinth, an aquatic weed, as a biomass feedstock which would produce energy in the form of liquid fuel (bioethanol) and gaseous fuel (biogas) as an alternative to kerosene.

The problem

Kerosene is the predominant fuel among the urban poor where electrical distribution is either not available, or too costly for widespread use. Using kerosene for heating or cooking is inefficient, dangerous and expensive, and it has extensive environmental and health drawbacks.

The solution

The growing demand for energy and concerns about global warming are key factors driving the increasing interest in renewable bioenergy sources and environmental management. As global demand for biofuels increases, it is important that non-food based crops are tapped for biofuel production. Non-food based sources are very cost effective when compared to food based feedstocks as there is little or no market demand for these plants.

This activity is utilizing water hyacinth bioethanol production. In this project, water hyacinth was collected from adjourning rivers within Edo State. The feedstock was prepared and stored in bio-digesters to aid bio-reactions. Waste generated from the process was fed into an anaerobic digester for further reaction between the feedstock and microbes for biogas (methane) production. Both fuels can be used for heating and cooking on stoves.

Scaling Up

Currently, the team is harvesting from adjourning rivers within state and looking to expand into other rivers of neighbouring states.

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