Biowaste to energy

‘Biowaste-to-energy’ is a joint research project between the Institute of Ecopreneurship (IEC-FHNW) and the Indian National Environmental and Engineering Institute (CSIR-NEERI). It investigates the anaerobic digestion (AD) potential of biodegradable waste (‘biowaste’) for biogas and fertilizer valorisation in Indian communities. Project sites included case study cities, towns and villages in different climatic regions of India. At these sites we analysed biowaste availability (composition and amounts) and biowaste management (collection, source-segregation) and determined physico-chemical composition and methane production potential of relevant biowaste streams (household, fruit and vegetable market and agricultural biowaste) using laboratory approaches. Based on these results, we compared different scenarios of biowaste valorisation via AD for energy and fertilizer use related to Indian AD supporting programmes. Results of this research project built a foundation to discuss potential impacts in the context of renewable energy supply, sustainable food production, water resources and the local environment. Finally, our research aimed to provide sound evidence of opportunities, barriers and further research needs for AD of biowaste in India.