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May 9, 2023
Organic Fertilizers: What They Are and Their Importance
April 2, 2024The collaborative project Reffect Africa will be a unique opportunity for Ficosterra to contribute to the implementation of renewable energy technologies in Africa.
Reffect Africa aims to deploy renewable energy generators (gasifiers) in Morocco, Ghana, and South Africa, fueled by agricultural waste. This new energy generation system will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, providing access to new renewable energy sources (electric and thermal) and improving the well-being and quality of life of the local populations.
Starting Situation
Africa has experienced rapid economic growth in the 21st century, accompanied by an increase in energy demand.
However, approximately six hundred million people in Africa still lack access to electricity (IEA data, 2019), and around 730 million people continue to rely on traditional energy systems based on a mix of biomass and fossil fuels.
The existence of a reliable electricity system is crucial for any modern economy, especially in the current digital revolution context.
If African countries want to see their economies transformed, access to electricity must be a priority, as well as ensuring continuity without the voltage drops that currently lead to the interruption of electrical connections for hours or entire days.
This situation provides an ideal breeding ground for the emergence of initiatives and innovative projects aimed at improving current energy supply systems, with a focus on sustainability and respect for the environment.
Reffect Africa: A Strong Commitment to New Renewable Energy Sources from Agro-food Waste
Reffect Africa is an ambitious international cooperation initiative to provide renewable energy to three African populations.
Co-financed by the European Union (agreement number 101036900), the project has a total budget of €8,100,151.25, with a grant of €6,962,820.78 from the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (the European Union’s Framework Program for Research and Innovation for the period 2014-2020, designed to finance initiatives and projects in research, technological development, demonstration, and innovation with clear European added value).
The Reffect Africa project is composed of a consortium of twenty-nine European and African partners, including Ficosterra. This consortium is a clear example of public-private collaboration, incorporating innovative SMEs, NGOs, and political institutions. All these organizations are led by the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the University of Jaén (Spain).
The program aims to work over five years (2021-2026) on the construction of three biomass gasifiers capable of providing dependable, clean, and renewable energy through the valorization of agro-food waste. The goal is to supply electricity and other secondary goods and services to three small communities in northern, central, and southern Africa, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and environmental impact by 50-100%.
“This project will not only have a significant impact on reducing the tons of waste sent to landfills but will also provide energy solutions to both connected and off-grid communities, integrating these energy sources into the existing energy system.”
Nevana Srikissoon, REFFECT AFRICA eThekwini Project Manage
Characteristics and Benefits of Each Gasifier
Reffect Africa has chosen three diverse environments (urban, rural, and agricultural) in Africa for the development of three pilot gasifiers, aiming to produce renewable and clean energy (gas) and natural fertilizer (biochar) beneficial for local crops.
Ghana
(rural environment)
In the small town of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in Ghana, a gasifier will be constructed to address electricity shortages. It is expected to cover at least 50% of the electricity needs and 80% of the heating needs for the local school and medical center.
The gasifier will be fueled by local agricultural waste such as pruning residues, nut shells, pomace, or animal bones, producing not only light but also heat and steam (for surgical material sterilization). Biochar will be generated as a natural fertilizer for local crops.
Marruecos
(agricultural environment)
The gasifier will be installed at the Dar Azzaytoune olive oil mill in Douar El Hachia, Morocco, using daily waste from the local industry. The project anticipates a 75% reduction in fossil fuel consumption, water generation for irrigation, and a 50% reduction in freshwater consumption.
Here, biochar will also be obtained, a natural fertilizer of extraordinary value for the olive groves in the area. This will not only reduce the environmental impact caused by chemical fertilizers but also result in savings of up to 20% of the expenditure invested in these compounds used in conventional agriculture.
The implementation of this gasifier will also achieve a reduction of between 10% and 12% in CO2 emissions throughout the value chain and more than 50% of emissions from the olive oil mill itself.
Sudáfrica
(urban environment)
The gasifier will be installed in the Clairewood Bulk market in an already electrified urban environment.
It aims to reduce electricity expenses by 20% and fossil fuel consumption by 70%.
Using urban waste such as wood, pallets, or bagasse, the gasifier will provide 20% of the electricity needs and 35% of the heating and cooling needs for the market, crucial for food preservation.
Biochar will be obtained and mixed with organic waste, creating a higher-value agronomic fertilizer.
Reffect Africa estimates that installing the gasifiers in these three African regions will reduce atmospheric pollutants by over 50%, as gasification produces fewer NOx (nitrogen oxides) and particle emissions than combustion. Additionally, biochar usage will reduce chemical fertilizer consumption by up to 50%, lowering the environmental impact on the atmosphere, soil, aquifers, and seas.
Moreover, these gasifiers will create new direct and indirect job opportunities and a new economic sector, generating interest and demand from neighboring populations. This support from local governments and institutions is crucial.
Finally, the project aligns with numerous Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to poverty eradication, providing clean water, ensuring affordable and clean energy access, creating decent jobs and economic growth, fostering scientific research and technological capabilities, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
“It is a project that encompasses sustainability, circular economy, climate change, and cooperation, involving more than 16 countries (11 African and 5 European) with diverse cultures, universities, and various entities. This project is what we need in these unstable times we are living in because this project represents unity, unity despite our differences.
David Vera, Engineer. Professor at the UJA. General Coordinator of the Reffect Africa Project.
This is a success for society, always emphasizing collaboration among countries, entities, and organizations.”
Ficosterra’s Contribution to the Project
Ficosterra’s role in the project focuses on evaluating the residue obtained from the gasifier (biochar) and its potential use to enhance local agriculture yields.
Ficosterra has developed agricultural practices guide for each region where the gasifiers will be installed, addressing existing deficiencies and suggesting ways to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers through the incorporation of organic materials.
Ficosterra will lead field trials in the three African locations to implement and evaluate crop fertilization recommendations based on each area’s starting situation.
Agriculture in the regions of the demonstrating countries has significant growth potential. To maximize productivity, it is necessary to consider water availability, the needs of main crops, and the type of soil.
All studied areas have soils and water suitable for agriculture, so with new management practices incorporating organic fertilizer obtained from the gasifiers (biochar), soil fertility can be increased, water retention capacity (up to three times its current value) can be enhanced, and crop productivity can be boosted. This will result in a considerable increase in benefits for agricultural enterprises and, consequently, in the level of development of these rural areas.
With five years ahead, the project aims to contribute to the well-being of many people in these developing countries.
Congratulations are extended to David Vera and the entire team at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Jaén for this initiative, and Ficosterra is honored to be part of it.