Profitability analysis of renewable energy technologies for electrification and cooking in rural areas

Ruben Zieba Falama; Yanxia Sun

doi:10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102122

Profitability analysis of renewable energy technologies for electrification and cooking in rural areas

Ruben Zieba Falama, Yanxia Sun

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science

University of Johannesburg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study proposes a technical, economic and environmental analysis of some energy systems for electrification and cooking in a rural area of Cameroon. It appears that the most economical solution is based on the biogas used as cooking fuel and for electricity production (BG/Bg_c system) with a LCOE of $0.000622 kWh⁻¹. The PV/BT/E_c system using PV energy for electrification and electric cooking is the best environmental solution. The PV/BT/LPG, BG/Bg_c, and BG/E_c systems, respectively with a CO₂ emissions reduction rate of 86.694 %, 83.962 % and 73.373 % also appear as promising environmental solutions. The economic analysis of the biogas potential in the study area showed that the commercialization of biogas as a cooking fuel is more profitable than the commercialization of electricity produced from biogas. A total benefit of $66,865,000 could result over the 25-year project lifespan with a payback time of 13 years 5 months 24 days.

Original language	English
Article number	102122
Journal	Bioresource Technology Reports
Volume	30
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102122
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Keywords

Biogas
CO emissions
Fuelwood and Charcoal
LCOE
LPG
PV energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Bioengineering
Environmental Engineering
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Waste Management and Disposal

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10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102122

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title = "Profitability analysis of renewable energy technologies for electrification and cooking in rural areas",

abstract = "This study proposes a technical, economic and environmental analysis of some energy systems for electrification and cooking in a rural area of Cameroon. It appears that the most economical solution is based on the biogas used as cooking fuel and for electricity production (BG/Bgc system) with a LCOE of $0.000622 kWh−1. The PV/BT/Ec system using PV energy for electrification and electric cooking is the best environmental solution. The PV/BT/LPG, BG/Bgc, and BG/Ec systems, respectively with a CO2 emissions reduction rate of 86.694 %, 83.962 % and 73.373 % also appear as promising environmental solutions. The economic analysis of the biogas potential in the study area showed that the commercialization of biogas as a cooking fuel is more profitable than the commercialization of electricity produced from biogas. A total benefit of $66,865,000 could result over the 25-year project lifespan with a payback time of 13 years 5 months 24 days.",

keywords = "Biogas, CO emissions, Fuelwood and Charcoal, LCOE, LPG, PV energy",

author = "Falama, {Ruben Zieba} and Yanxia Sun",

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year = "2025",

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doi = "10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102122",

language = "English",

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AU - Falama, Ruben Zieba

AU - Sun, Yanxia

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - This study proposes a technical, economic and environmental analysis of some energy systems for electrification and cooking in a rural area of Cameroon. It appears that the most economical solution is based on the biogas used as cooking fuel and for electricity production (BG/Bgc system) with a LCOE of $0.000622 kWh−1. The PV/BT/Ec system using PV energy for electrification and electric cooking is the best environmental solution. The PV/BT/LPG, BG/Bgc, and BG/Ec systems, respectively with a CO2 emissions reduction rate of 86.694 %, 83.962 % and 73.373 % also appear as promising environmental solutions. The economic analysis of the biogas potential in the study area showed that the commercialization of biogas as a cooking fuel is more profitable than the commercialization of electricity produced from biogas. A total benefit of $66,865,000 could result over the 25-year project lifespan with a payback time of 13 years 5 months 24 days.

AB - This study proposes a technical, economic and environmental analysis of some energy systems for electrification and cooking in a rural area of Cameroon. It appears that the most economical solution is based on the biogas used as cooking fuel and for electricity production (BG/Bgc system) with a LCOE of $0.000622 kWh−1. The PV/BT/Ec system using PV energy for electrification and electric cooking is the best environmental solution. The PV/BT/LPG, BG/Bgc, and BG/Ec systems, respectively with a CO2 emissions reduction rate of 86.694 %, 83.962 % and 73.373 % also appear as promising environmental solutions. The economic analysis of the biogas potential in the study area showed that the commercialization of biogas as a cooking fuel is more profitable than the commercialization of electricity produced from biogas. A total benefit of $66,865,000 could result over the 25-year project lifespan with a payback time of 13 years 5 months 24 days.

KW - Biogas

KW - CO emissions

KW - Fuelwood and Charcoal

KW - LCOE

KW - LPG

KW - PV energy

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JO - Bioresource Technology Reports

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ER -

Profitability analysis of renewable energy technologies for electrification and cooking in rural areas

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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