Abstract

LOPEZ-SAVRAN, Alexander  and  SUAREZ-HERNANDEZ, Jesús. Experience of biogas supply in a rural community, in Cuba^* . Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2018, vol.41, n.1, pp.73-79. ISSN 0864-0394.

The objective of this paper is to present the experience of distribution of biogas generated in a pig production center (Pig Production UEBP El Colorado, Cabaiguán municipality, Sancti Spiritus province, Cuba) to a rural community in Cuba, to be used in food cooking and other domestic purposes. The biogas was obtained from the process of anaerobic digestion of the excreta of the animals, through two digesters which were part of the treatment system. The study evaluated the supply, consumption and utilization of the biogas produced in a pig production farm and 31 houses of the nearby rural community, with the installation of the biogas distribution network and applications in food cooking, water heating, lighting and refrigeration. Among the benefits, 11 t per year of firewood ceased being used for cooking in the kitchen of the UEB and the houses, the work was humanized and the workers were benefitted in the dining hall; in the houses electricity consumption decreased between 40 and 60 % as average; while 18,3 MW h/year of electricity from the National Grid (where 1 MW = 1 000 KW) were not consumed. In addition, the use of biogas for cooking contributed to improve the quality of life of 110 inhabitants and allows a fast recovery of the investment.

Keywords : energy source; excreta; pig.

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