Utilization of food waste for hydrogen-based power generation: Evidence from four cities in Ghana.
Patience Afi Seglah, Yajing Wang, Hongyan Wang, Komikouma Apelike Wobuibe Neglo, Ke Zhou, Ning Sun, Jingmiao Shao, Jie Xie, Yuyun Bi, Chunyu Gao
Author Information
Patience Afi Seglah: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Yajing Wang: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Hongyan Wang: Institute of Agricultural Information, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Komikouma Apelike Wobuibe Neglo: Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Ke Zhou: Human Resources Development Center of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China Association of Agricultural Science Societies, Beijing, 100125, China.
Ning Sun: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Jingmiao Shao: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Jie Xie: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Yuyun Bi: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Chunyu Gao: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
Hydrogen gas will be an essential energy carrier for global energy systems in the future. However, non-renewable sources account for 96% of the production. Food wastes have high hydrogen generation potential, which can positively influence global production and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study evaluates the potential of food waste hydrogen-based power generation through biogas steam reforming and its environmental and economic impact in major Ghanaian cities. The results highlight that the annual hydrogen generation in Kumasi had the highest share of 40.73 kt, followed by Accra with 31.62 kt, while the least potential was in Tamale (3.41 kt). About 2073.38 kt was generated in all the major cities. Hydrogen output is predicted to increase from 54.61 kt in 2007 to 119.80 kt by 2030. Kumasi produced 977.54 kt of hydrogen throughout the 24-year period, followed by Accra with 759.76 kt, Secondi-Takoradi with 255.23 kt, and Tamale with 81.85 kt. According to the current study, Kumasi had the largest percentage contribution of hydrogen (47.15%), followed by Accra (36.60%), Secondi-Takoradi (12.31%), and Tamale (3.95%). The annual power generation potential in Kumasi and Accra was 73.24 GWh and 56.85 GWh. Kumasi and Accra could offset 8.19% and 6.36% of Ghana's electricity consumption. The total electricity potential of 3728.35 GWh could displace 17.37% of Ghana's power consumption. This electricity generated had a fossil diesel displacement capacity of 1125.90 ML and could reduce GHG emissions by 3060.20 kt CO eq. Based on the findings, the total GHG savings could offset 8.13% of Ghana's carbon emissions. The cost of power generation from hydrogen is $ 0.074/kWh with an annual positive net present value of $ 658.80 million and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 3.43. The study lays the foundation and opens policy windows for sustainable hydrogen power generation in Ghana and other African countries.
