Conversion of traditional biomass into modern bioenergy systems: A review in context to improve the energy situation in Nepal

Nepal is an energy starving country where approximately 87% of the total energy share is met through traditional biomass resource especially by fuelwood. However, use of traditional biomass fuel is confronted with series of issues and challenges such as low efficiency, labor intensive, degradation of environment and emission of health hazardous gases. In an effort to improve the energy situation as well as to improve the indoor environment, Nepal's government has initiated the adoption and implementation of efficient biomass technologies in Nepal. Improved health and sanitation, reduced fuelwood consumption, improved social and physical facilities, and reduced drudgery for women are some of the major benefits of efficient biomass technologies to the rural households. Use of biogas reduces the fuelwood consumption by 2 tons/yr and workload by 1100 h/yr. Similarly, use of improved cooking stove can increases the efficiency up to 15–20% and reduces greenhouse gases of 1.09 tCO2eq/yr as compared to the traditional cooking stove. Despite continuous effort from government and foreign donors, the task of rapid dissemination of the efficient biomass technologies to more remote and isolated rural communities is still challenging in Nepal. Therefore, more systematic and comprehensive study supported by research and development is required to extend these technologies in more remote and poor communities of Nepal, especially in mountainous areas.

► Nepal has low per capita energy consumption rate.
► Only 50% of the population has access to electricity.
► 87% of the total energy demand is met through traditional biomass fuels.
► Biogas technology is the first CDM project of Nepal.
► ICSs can improve the efficiency up to 15–20%.