Utilising Biogas as an Alternative Fuel for Transportation in Nigeria

Abstract

There is growing interest in the use of petroleum fuels in the transport sector, with advocates pointing to the energy security benefits of diversifying supplies of transport fuel and potential carbon and air quality benefits. The use of biogas as a transport fuel could deliver substantial greenhouse gas savings, compared to natural gas, petrol and diesel.The importance of petroleum products to the growth of Nigeria’s economy cannot be overemphasized. For almost half a century, the country has been depending on petroleum as fuel used by vehicles for transportation. In this regard, there is need for diversification to the use of biogas since from present conditions (Niger Delta Avengers attack of petroleum installations, and the exorbitant exchange rate of naira), the supply of petroleum products will gradually decrease and there will be need for its gradual replacement by renewable energy sources. Biogas is a renewable energy source which when used as vehicle fuel, it gives the lowest emissions of carbon dioxide and particles of all the fuel.This paper examines the utilization of biogas as an alternative fuel for transportation. The objectives is to encourage the use of biogas for transportation due to its low price index; to create awareness on alternative vehicle fuels; to reduce reliance on petroleum in transportation, and to encourage environmental biotechnology (biogas) as a way of managing natural resources.

In addition, biogas can be efficiently utilised as a vehicle fuel, but it has to be upgraded to natural gas quality through technologies like the water scrubber technology and the PSA-technology. Secondary data obtained from the Energy Economic Newsletters Oil and Gas Analysis and Forecast was used in this research work and Time series analysis was applied in forecasting the amount of savings in dollars compared to petroleum products within a period of thirteen (13) months.The relationship in price between biogas and petroleum was examined between the year 2015 and 2016 and it was observed that in the corresponding year, that they will be a downward trend in the prices of both commodities thereby encouraging demand for both commodities especially biogas which will be least expensive.This paper recommends that government should encourage investors to invest in biogas production so that there would be an abundance of the product thereby leading to a reduction in price.

Keywords: Biogas, Fuel, Transport