Stakeholder collaboration and learning during the concept design phase of an urban biogas project

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic matter to produce biogas is a waste management option for waste streams high in organic matter which are unsuitable for thermal treatment. In Africa, the implementation of this technology is slow compared to developed countries, more so in the urban areas in contrast with rural areas. An understanding of factors behind the low rate of implementation of this technology is needed. As a response to this challenge a research group at the University of Cape Town (UCT) set-up a multi-disciplinary team to implement a biogas digester on the UCT campus as a demonstration project. This paper aims at documenting notes on stakeholder collaboration and learning during the concept design phase to implement an urban biogas project. One of the findings of the project thus far is that a significant proportion of time needs to be dedicated to establishing key stakeholders and decision makers. Education, training and good relationship with stakeholders and the technology provider were also found to the important in the concept design of the project