Post-installation sustainability of small-scale biogas programs: a mini review conceptual model
- 1epartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Abstract
Anaerobic digester technology provides households with gas for cooking and heating while supporting waste management and greenhouse gas mitigation. Many initiatives around the world continue to evaluate success by the number of digesters installed without full knowledge of their operational status or value to beneficiaries. This mini-review focuses on research and reports published between 2005 and 2026 on household-scale anaerobic digesters. Small-scale biogas programs are touted as a renewable energy solution, but their long-term sustainability remains a problem. Much of the literature discusses implementation, but few papers address post-installation challenges. The review found that the technical quality is an important factor leading to the failure (or not) of systems. Continuous access to feedstock for example is essential if the system is to operate; this can be secured through good marketing; but equally a good quality system will in the first place create demand. The ongoing availability of water as both a resource in the biogas process and a consumable is also critical, particularly in dry areas where irrigation is not practicable. This study proposes the Post-Installation Sustainability Model (PISM), an operational synthesis that organizes seven established determinants into four interacting layers, with accountability cutting across them. The PISM treats installation as a transition to continuing service rather than the endpoint of implementation. The central implication is that biogas programs should be financed, monitored and governed as long term energy services rather than one-time technology transfers.
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BibTeX
@article{nekhubvi2026postinstallation,
title = {{Post-installation sustainability of small-scale biogas programs: a mini review conceptual model}},
author = {Vhutshilo Nekhubvi},
journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Energy Policy},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsuep.2026.1995404},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsuep.2026.1995404},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Post-installation sustainability of small-scale biogas programs: a mini review conceptual model
AU - Vhutshilo Nekhubvi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in Sustainable Energy Policy
DO - 10.3389/fsuep.2026.1995404
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fsuep.2026.1995404
AB - Anaerobic digester technology provides households with gas for cooking and heating while supporting waste management and greenhouse gas mitigation. Many initiatives around the world continue to evaluate success by the number of digesters installed without full knowledge of their operational status or value to beneficiaries. This mini-review focuses on research and reports published between 2005 and 2026 on household-scale anaerobic digesters. Small-scale biogas programs are touted as a renewable energy solution, but their long-term sustainability remains a problem. Much of the literature discusses implementation, but few papers address post-installation challenges. The review found that the technical quality is an important factor leading to the failure (or not) of systems. Continuous access to feedstock for example is essential if the system is to operate; this can be secured through good marketing; but equally a good quality system will in the first place create demand. The ongoing availability of water as both a resource in the biogas process and a consumable is also critical, particularly in dry areas where irrigation is not practicable. This study proposes the Post-Installation Sustainability Model (PISM), an operational synthesis that organizes seven established determinants into four interacting layers, with accountability cutting across them. The PISM treats installation as a transition to continuing service rather than the endpoint of implementation. The central implication is that biogas programs should be financed, monitored and governed as long term energy services rather than one-time technology transfers.
SN - 2813-4982
ER -