Browsing by Author "Faugno, Salvatore"

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    Appraising Bioenergy Alternatives in Uganda Using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a Desirability Functions Approach
    (Energies, 2014) Okello, Collins; Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Boccia, Lorenzo
    Poor access to clean and reliable energy technologies is a major challenge to most developing countries. The decision to introduce new technologies is often faced by low adoption rates or even public opposition. In addition, the data required for effective decision making is often inadequate or even lacking, thus constraining the planning process. In this study, a methodology for participatory appraisal of technologies, integrating desirability functions to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)-analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was developed. Application of the methodology was illustrated with an example for participatory appraisal of four bioenergy technologies in Uganda. Results showed that the methodology is effective in evaluating stakeholder preferences for bioenergy technologies. It showed a high potential to be used to identify and rate factors that stakeholders take into consideration when selecting bioenergy systems. The method could be used as a tool for technology screening, or reaching consensus in a participatory setup in a transparent manner.
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    Assessment of Nitrogen Content in Buffalo Manure and Land Application Costs
    (Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 2012) Faugno, Salvatore; Pindozzi, Stefania; Okello, Collins; Ripa, Maria Nicolina
    Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) livestock for mozzarella cheese production plays a fundamental role in the economy of southern Italy. European and Italian regulations consider nitrogen content in buffalo manure to be the same as that of cattle manure. This study aimed to assess whether this assumption is true. The first aim of the study was to assess nitrogen content in buffalo manure. Samples were taken from 35 farms to analyse nitrogen and phosphorous concentration in the manure. Analysis confirmed a lower nitrogen concentration (2%) in buffalo manure. A secondary aim of the study was to evaluate whether manure application techniques that are apparently less suitable, e.g. splash plate spreader, could be feasible. The cost of different methods of land application of manure and their characteristics were evaluated on the basis of one operational cycle. Considering losses for volatilisation, and taking into account cost assessment, the immediate incorporation of buffalo manure (nitrogen content 2%) is a suitable method of ammonia volatilisation. However, it is expensive and involves high fuel consumption in relation to the environmental benefit.
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    Bioenergy Potential of Agricultural and Forest Residues in Uganda
    (Biomass and bioenergy, 2013) Okello, Collins; Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Boccia, Lorenzo
    Biomass is the major source of energy in most developing countries. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of biomass supplies and the environmental impacts resulting from their use. Use of residues could contribute to ensuring sustainable supply of biomass energy. This study presents findings of an evaluation of the energy potential of agricultural and forest residues in Uganda using census data of the year 2008/2009. Annual productions of crop and forest residues were estimated using residue-to-product ratio (RPR) method. Energy potential of each residue class was then determined basing on their respective lower heating values. The biogas generation potential of each animal category was used to evaluate the energy potential of animal manure. Results showed that the total energy potential of the residues amount to 260 PJ y−1, which is about 70% of gross biomass energy requirement of Uganda for the year 2008. Crop residues had the highest contribution of about 150 PJ y−1, followed by animal residues with a potential of 65 PJ y−1. Maize residue is the predominant crop residue with energy potential of 65 PJ y−1 followed by beans and banana, each at 16 PJ y−1. This study indicates that agricultural and forest residues can be a major renewable energy source for Uganda. When sustainably utilised, biomass residues could contribute to reduction in environmental degradation in the country.
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    Development of Bioenergy Technologies in Uganda: A Review of Progress
    (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2013) Okello, Collins; Faugno, Salvatore
    Biomass is a renewable energy resource; however, its exploitation raises concerns about its ability to sustain the growing demand and its negative impacts on the environment, particularly in developing countries. These concerns are more prominent on the African continent where high population growth rates is leading to high rates of deforestation due to expansion of agricultural land and increased demand for bioenergy. Use of traditional and inefficient bioenergy technologies and appliances also exacerbate the problem. This paper presents a review of the efforts and progress made by different organisations in promoting improved bioenergy technologies in Uganda. The study was based on an extensive review of available literature on improved bioenergy technologies introduced in the country. It was found that there is high level of wastage of biomass resources since an estimated 72.7% of the population use traditional cooking stoves with efficiency estimated to be less than 10%. Inefficient cooking stoves are also blamed for indoor air pollution and respiratory illness reported amongst its users. Modern bioenergy technologies such as biomass gasification, cogeneration, biogas generation, biomass densification, and energy-efficient cooking stoves have been introduced in the country but have certainly not been widely disseminated. The country should pursue policies that will accelerate proliferation of more efficient bioenergy technologies in order to reduce the negative environmental impacts of bioenergy utilisation and to ensure sustainability of biomass supplies.
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    Experimental Evaluation of Manure Evaporation in The Paddock for a Management Algorithm Development
    (IEEE, 2012) Pindozzi, Stefania; Faugno, Salvatore; Okello, Collins; Boccia, Lorenzo
    The aims of this study was to evaluate the possibility of reducing the weight of manure in paddocks by natural evaporation according to an appropriate management plan. The weight of buffalo manure was recorded by an experimental platform equipped with load cells and installed within the paddock. The data was used for assessing the real evaporation of manure in situ. A model for predicting manure evaporation was developed by adapting a soil evapotranspiration model. On the basis of the model an optimal management strategy was established, which corresponds to minimizing the use of the scraper from the 100th day of the year (DOY) to the 250th DOY. This lead to a potential reduction in weight of the manure by 650 kg/m2/year which corresponds to management cost reduction of about 30%. This approach is effective for reducing the bulkiness of buffalo manure for which the spreading costs per kg of nitrogen and the fuel needs for land application is very substantial considering its low nitrogen content of about 2 mg/m3