The financial and economic feasibility of rural household biodigesters for poor communities in South Africa

Waste Management

Volumn 34, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 352-362

  Smith, Michael T ^a   Schroenn Goebel, Jessica ^a   Blignaut, James N ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL   (South Africa)

^b UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA   (South Africa)

Author keywords

Biodigester; Biogas; Development; Energy; Poverty; Rural

Indexed keywords

BIODIGESTERS; DEVELOPMENT; DEVELOPMENT NEEDS; ECONOMIC BENEFITS; ECONOMIC FEASIBILITIES; ENERGY; GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS; POVERTY;

BIOGAS; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS; ECONOMICS; INVESTMENTS; RURAL AREAS;

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS;

BIOGAS; COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS; ECONOMIC IMPACT; HOUSEHOLD SURVEY; INVESTMENT; RURAL AREA; RURAL DEVELOPMENT; STATE ROLE;

ARTICLE; BIODIGESTER; COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT; COMMUNITY PROGRAM; CONTROLLED STUDY; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS; ECONOMIC EVALUATION; ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING; FEASIBILITY STUDY; FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT; GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION; HOUSEHOLD; HUMAN; INCOME; INVESTMENT; POVERTY; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT; QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS; RURAL AREA; SOUTH AFRICA; WASTE MANAGEMENT;

SOUTH AFRICA;

BIODIGESTER; BIOGAS; DEVELOPMENT; ENERGY; POVERTY; RURAL;

BIOFUELS; BIOREACTORS; COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS; DATA COLLECTION; FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS; HUMANS; POVERTY; REFUSE DISPOSAL; SOUTH AFRICA; TIME FACTORS;

EID: 84892479512     PISSN: 0956053X     EISSN: 18792456     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2013.10.042     Document Type: Article

References (38)

1. Ackerman, F., Stanton, E., 2010. The Social Cost of Carbon. Economics for Equity and Environment: Portland.
2. Appelbaum B., 2011. As U.S. Agencies Put More Value on Life, Businesses Fret. [The New York Times]. Available at: [] (Accessed 19 November 2011). http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/economy/17regulation.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=value%20life&st=cse.
3. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Handbook for the Economic Analysis of Water Supply Projects 1999, Mandaluyong City, ADB.
4. Austin G., Blignaut J.N. South African National Rural Domestic Biogas Feasibility assessment: Prepared for Ministry for Development Co-operation, The State of Netherlands 2008, Cape Town, AGAMA Energy.
5. Banik B.K. Female perceptions on health hazards associated with indoor air pollution in Bangladesh. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology 2010, 2(9):206-212.
6. Blignaut J.N., van der Elst L. South Africa and Sustainable development: a reflection. Perspectives. Political analysis and commentary from Southern Africa 2009, 3:13-18.
7. Brent R.J. Applied Cost-Benefit Analysis 2006, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham. 2nd Edition.
8. Chellan N. An Assessment of Tourism Potential in the Okhombe Area 2002, University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal. Master of Arts Thesis.
9. Comcar., 2011. Kg CO2 per litre. [Comcar]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www.comcar.co.uk/newcar/companycar/poolresults/co2litre.cfm.
10. Davies, T., 2004. Calculation of CO2 emissions. [University of Exeter]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://people.exeter.ac.uk/TWDavies/energy_conversion/Calculation%20of%20CO2%20emissions%20from%20fuels.htm.
11. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). (2011). Carbon values used in DECC's energy modelling. [DECC]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/cutting-emissions/carbon-valuation/3138-carbon-values-decc-energy-modelling.pdf.
12. Edwards, C., 2008. Social Cost-Benefit Analysis - the available evidence on drinking water. In: Pond, K., Pedley, S., Edwards, C., (2008). Valuing water - valuing well-being: a guide to understanding the costs and benefits of water interventions. [World Health Organization]. Available at: [] (Accessed 29 April 2011). http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/economic/cb_interventions/en/index.html.
13. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2005). Emission Facts: Average Carbon Dioxide Emissions Resulting from Gasoline and Diesel Fuel. [EPA]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/420f05001.pdf.
14. European Commission (EC). (2006). Guidance on the Methodology for Carrying out Cost-Benefit Analysis - Working document No. 4. European Commission Director General Regional Policy: Brussels.
15. Florio M., Maffii S., Atkinson K., de Rus G., Evans D., Ponti M., Genco M., Parolin R., Vignetti S., Bollati J., Giglio M., Panza G., Sartori D. Guide to Cost Benefit Analysis of Investment Projects 2008, Brussels, European Commission.
16. Franzese O., Knee H.E., Slezak L. Effect of Tires on Class-8 Heavy Truck Fuel Efficiency 2009, Knoxville, Center for Transportation Analysis.
17. 2 Emissions Reduction Plan 2011, Connaught, Friends of Science Society.
18. Healey, J., 2003. House of Commons - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Minutes of Evidence. [Parliament UK]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmenvfru/929/3091706.htm.
19. Khan K.A., Khan A. Improved Bio-gas Plant - an Environmental Friendly Renewable Energy. Proceedings of World Academy of Science: Engineering & Technology 2009, 51:468-473.
20. Legros G., Havet I., Bruce N., Bonjour S. The Energy Access Situation in Developing Countries 2009, World Health Organization, New York.
21. Lowell D., Balon T. Setting the Stage for Regulations of Heavy-Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy & GHG Emission: Issues and Opportunities 2009, M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC, Concord.
22. Millikin, M., (Ed). (2009). Study Concludes That Class 8 Truck Fuel Consumption Could Be Reduced By Up to 50% By 2017 Using Existing and Emerging Technologies; Current Payback Requirements Could Forestall Implementation. [Green Car Congress]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/11/icct-20091120.html.
23. Mullins, D, Mosaka, D.D., Green, A.B., Downing, R., Mapekula, P.G., 2007. A Manual for Cost Benefit Analysis in South Africa with Specific Reference to Water Resource Development. WRC Report No.TT 305/07. Water research commission: Pretoria.
24. Pandey B.R., Partin J.G., Subedi P.S., Sharma M., Dhakal S. Financing Biogas: A Reference manual for Microfinance Institutions in Nepal 2005, Winrock International, Brussels.
25. Paulsen, R., Truran, G., Swart, D., 2010. A study on the market potential of paraffin appliances in South Africa. The Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa (PASSA), Cape Town.
26. Pearce D.W., Atkinson G., Mourato S. Cost-Benefit Analysis and the Environment: Recent Developments 2006, OECD, Paris.
27. Renwick M., Subedi P.S., Hutton G. Biogas for better life: An African Initiative - A Cost-Benefit Analysis of National and Regional Integrated Biogas and Sanitation Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prepared for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2007, Winrock International, Arkansas.
28. Sinha P., Depro B., Braun F. Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for Existing Stationary Compression Ignition Engines NESHAP 2010, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington DC.
29. Smith, M.T., 2011. The Financial and Economic Feasibility of Biodigester Use and Biogas Production for Rural Households. Master of Commerce Thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
30. Sookraj A. The provision of services in rural areas -with special reference to health and education: A case study of Okhombe Village in the North-West Drakensberg 2002, University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal. Master of Arts Thesis.
31. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). (1996). Okhahlamba [KZ235] Census 96. [StatsSA]. Available at: [] (Accessed 28 November 2010). http://www.statssa.gov.za/census01/Census96/Wards/catb/KZ235.htm.
32. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). (2011). Mineral accounts for South Africa 1980-2008 - Discussion document - D0405.2. Statistics South Africa: Pretoria.
33. The Presidency: Republic of South Africa. (2009). Development Indicators. [The Presidency]. Available at: [] (Accessed 17 January 2011). http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/learning/me/indicators/2009/indicators.pdf.
34. United Nations Development Program (UNDP). (2013). Millennium Development Goals. [United Nations]. Available at: [] (Accessed 18 February 2013). http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html.
35. US Department of Energy. (2005). Fact #372: Truck Fuel Economy by Size Class. [U.S. Department of Energy]. Available at: [] (Accessed 11 November 2011). http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/facts/2005/fcvt_fotw372.html.
36. World Bank. (1996). Staff Appraisal Report - Nepal - Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. World Bank Report No. 15232-NEP. The World Bank: Washington DC.
37. World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Global Health Observatory Data Repository - Environmental Health - Household Air Pollution. [WHO]. Available at: [] (Accessed 18 November 2011). http://apps.who.int/ghodata/?vid=61540.
38. World Health Organization (WHO). (2007). Global Health Observatory Data Repository - Environmental Health - Exposure - Households using solid cooking fuels. [WHO]. Available at: [] (Accessed 18 November 2011). http://apps.who.int/ghodata/?vid=61540.