THI-InES Researcher Showcases Sustainable Biogas Solutions at European Biomass Conference

Joshua Ngetuny, from the research group Industrial Energy Systems, participated in the 33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), held from 9th to 12th June 2025 in Valencia, Spain.

At the conference, he presented his research titled “Biogas in the Developing World: Feedstock Availability and Selection Using Analytic Hierarchy Process”, which introduces a novel approach for selecting and prioritising feedstocks for small-scale biogas plants to enhance their resilience and sustainability. The method focuses on three key criteria: feedstock adequacy, supply consistency, and logistical ease. Prioritization revealed that supply consistency has the greatest impact on biogas plant resilience, followed by adequacy and, finally, logistical ease.

Using a case study in the Fes-Meknes region of Morocco, potential feedstocks identified through a farm survey were ranked based on the selected criteria. Cow manure, due to its consistent supply, ease of collection, and digestibility, emerged as the top-ranked feedstock. This was followed by straw from wheat, maize, and barley, valued for their storability and supply consistency. Other feedstocks, including sheep, horse, and chicken manure, ranked lower. Co-digestion of cattle manure and straw was therefore recommended due to their complementary nutrient characteristics and balanced performance across the criteria.

The research was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Wilfried Zörner within the framework of the international project AMBER.

EUBCE is a premier international platform for scientists, industry experts, and policymakers to exchange knowledge on the latest innovations in biomass. It covers topics such as biomass production, conversion technologies, bioenergy, biorefineries, and sustainability. The event bridges cutting-edge research with market and policy developments to drive the advancement of the bioeconomy.

Participation in and presentation at this high-level event underscores InES’s commitment to applied research that advances sustainable biogas energy systems globally.