REFFECT AFRICA: Pioneering Renewable Energy Solutions Through Biomass Gasification
REFFECT AFRICA is transforming the landscape of renewable energy in Africa by leveraging biomass gasification technology to optimize the interconnected domains of water, energy, and food. The initiative facilitates the conversion of agricultural waste into bioenergy, clean water, and biochar, operating through demonstration plants in Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa.
With Africa’s population projected to surge from around 1.2 billion in 2018 to over 4.4 billion by 2100, addressing energy access is imperative. The International Energy Agency estimated in 2020 that approximately 600 million people across the continent lack reliable electricity, particularly in rural sub-Saharan regions. Furthermore, about two-thirds of the sub-Saharan population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods, as reported by the World Bank in 2024. Given the substantial agro-food waste produced within this sector, REFFECT AFRICA identifies it as a crucial, underutilized source of renewable energy and employment opportunities.
The REFFECT AFRICA initiative focuses on developing integrated renewable energy solutions for African communities, encompassing both grid-connected and off-grid systems. This project aims to dissolve the ties between water, energy, and food by utilizing biomass gasification, converting various agricultural and forestry waste into valuable bioenergy and biochar.
Key Objectives of the Project
Coordinated by the University of Jaén in Spain and funded through the European H2020 program, the project comprises 31 partners spanning 11 African and 5 European nations. The main objectives include:
- Establishing and validating three full-scale demonstration plants in Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa.
- Conducting lifecycle assessments to evaluate the environmental impact of each value chain pre- and post-implementation.
- Creating a “living lab” to promote future research and foster collaborative networks.
- Transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy, potable water, and biochar as part of a sustainable energy solution.
The project highlights the innovative processes undertaken to create sustainable energy solutions, all while addressing urgent local needs.
Demonstration Initiatives in Morocco
One notable plant is located in the Zoyout Essaouira Cooperative, an olive oil factory in Sid L’Mokhtar. This facility features a 65 kWe downdraft gasifier, which can operate on-grid or off-grid, supported by a diesel generator. The plant efficiently consumes 70-75 kg of biomass per hour, utilizing olive seeds, dried pomace, and tree prunings to produce not only bioenergy but also 120 kW of thermal energy for the factory’s drying processes.
Annual output includes approximately 110-120 tons of biochar, which is used in olive plantations as a biofertilizer. This innovative approach has completely replaced fossil fuels, significantly cutting carbon emissions and earning about 300 carbon credits per year. Moreover, the project has created 15 indirect jobs during its installation and commissioning phase, along with 2 direct jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance.
Demonstration Initiatives in Ghana
The Ghanaian facility is situated at the Tuna Technical High School, addressing acute energy and water shortages in the community. This hybrid system combines a 20 kWe downdraft gasifier with a 24 kWp solar array and a 70 kWh lithium battery bank, allowing it to function effectively in both grid-connected and off-grid modes.
Consuming about 30 kg of biomass per hour from local farmers, it generates 40 kW of thermal energy for hot water and produces 40-50 tons of biochar annually, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. The system serves over 1,000 schoolchildren daily by ensuring a continuous energy supply and creating an integrated potable water treatment system capable of processing between 6,000 and 10,000 liters per day. The project also generated 10 indirect jobs during installation and 3 direct jobs for ongoing operations.
Demonstration Initiatives in South Africa
In Cape Town, the Waste Mart facility showcases another demonstration. This location, known for its high dependence on coal for electricity—more than 80% of its energy mix—has struggled with pollutant emissions and escalating energy costs. The 50 kWe downdraft gasifier operates in conjunction with a 5 kWe Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) cogeneration system, achieving over 8,000 operational hours annually while consuming 46-48 kg of biomass per hour.
In addition to producing 106 kW of heat for biomass dryers and ORC applications, it generates around 20 tons of charcoal yearly. This deployment not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also enables the sale of excess electricity back to the national grid, creating 8 indirect jobs during the installation and 2 direct jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance.
The insights gained from the REFFECT AFRICA project emphasize the potential of integrated renewable energy systems across diverse African contexts. It showcases the technical viability of biomass gasification in generating energy and biochar, reducing emissions, and enhancing job creation. Although the project faced hurdles, including logistical challenges, a lack of skilled labor, and insufficient regulatory frameworks, it demonstrates significant community impacts in health, education, and economic development through job creation.
This initiative has received support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement number 101036900.
