Small-Scale Biogas Systems for Energy Access in Rural Dairy Farms: Comparative Testing

Abstract

The transition toward decentralized, renewable energy systems is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for addressing energy poverty in rural and marginalized communities globally. Among various renewable energy options, small scale biogas technology offers a unique dual benefit by simultaneously providing clean energy and managing agricultural waste. This paper presents comprehensive comparative testing evidence on the deployment of small scale biogas systems in rural dairy farms, exploring how these systems directly link to improved energy access. By conducting parallel evaluations of fixed dome and tubular polyvinyl chloride digester models across multiple rural dairy farm sites, this research systematically measures operational performance, biogas yield, and thermal stability under real world conditions. The study highlights the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of transitioning from traditional solid biomass fuels to clean biogas for domestic and agricultural applications. The findings demonstrate that while both digester configurations significantly enhance household energy access by providing reliable fuel for cooking and small scale electricity generation, they exhibit distinct operational trade offs related to capital cost, installation speed, and seasonal temperature resilience. Through extensive field data collection, this paper provides critical evidence that integrating small scale biogas systems into rural dairy farm infrastructure is a highly effective, scalable pathway for rural energy independence and sustainable agricultural development.