Sustainable biomass system design for microenterprise-based use of bioenergy

Clean cooking systems and the incorporation of biomass and bioenergy are critical in the context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.1.2. This article considers the biomass potential of livestock-based rural micro-enterprises and the scope for standardisation and system efficiency improvement in traditional cow-dung-based bioenergy consumption. The article also highlights the challenges that the current design of cow-dung-based traditional cookstoves poses for rural households, especially for women users. A case of rural household bioenergy system design is proposed with appropriate system specific recommendations for the stages of livestock biomass collection, drying, and preparation of fuel pellets of standard dimensions as per the requirements of the ICS (Improved cookstove). A concept design featuring multiple interventions is endeavoured with the overall objective of designing a bioenergy based sustainable energy system. The suggested design interventions are focused on rural household micro-enterprises traditionally excluded from the improved cookstove development ecosystems. Through a customised approach, multiple opportunities for improvement of fuel efficiency, operational parameters, and innovations in system design are explored.