Stage of Innovation: Proof of Concept (You have created something to show the innovation can work)

Problem: The twin issue of environmental pollution amidst energy insecurity have been in the front burner in development discourse. The world is facing unprecedented challenges, and immediate action is required to achieve massive decarbonization in line with keeping the rise in global temperatures below 2°C. Simultaneously, the growing global population comes with a rapidly increasing demand for energy. This increase cannot be met with higher consumption of fossil fuels, or it would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, which ultimately contribute to global warming and climate change. Hence, need to introduce a more sustainable way of living is dire. Producing enough energy for everybody has been a major challenge in Nigeria, hence diversification of energy sources in the face of population growth is critical. This project is designed to convert Conventional Septic Tank to Biodigester for Sustainable Energy Generation and Households’ economic viability in Nigeria. Specific objectives are to promote and sustain conversion of Conventional Septic Tank (CST) to biodigester for wider adoption by farmers. This project will target existing houses and public facilities with septic tanks which has being in use for not less than 5 years. Such houses or facilities should have not less than 10 household users. The project will be carried out in Kaduna State Northwest Nigeria. Gas produced will not be restricted to particular use by the households. Gas produced will be upgraded to cater for different purposes like cooking, lightening and generation of electricity, depends on the needs of the household.

Unique Selling Point: This project addresses the challenge faced with limited number of sewage treatment plants in the country, causing dislodge of sludge from CST into lagoons, rivers and waterways. Also, the huge capital investment required by conventional central treatment plant is decentralized at household level. Lastly, the financial challenges faced in obtaining a new biogas system will be eliminated by simple installation of this novel design to perform the task of a conventional septic tank and generate biogas in addition.