ECOSMART: Enabling local Circular ecOnomy hubs using SMart solar AnaeRobic Digestion Technology

ECOSMART explores the techno-economic feasibility of smart integration of a novel, enhanced anaerobic digestion (AD) process with solar technology to form the basis of a circular economy model. It will establish an integrated UK Nigerian supply chain, aligning social and gender considerations with economic and environmental benefits. Its focus on valorising cassava, yam, corn and mixed market wastes will ensure a high proportion of beneficiaries are women and those on low incomes.

ECOSMART will build on the consortium's expertise, utilising locally available materials and low-cost components to ensure affordability, and reducing feedstock retention time through system design to process waste and generate biogas 4x faster than conventional Continuous Stirred Reactor Tank (CSTR) systems. It will also produce soil amenders and fertiliser in a ratio beneficial for soil management, thus supporting local, sustainable agricultural practices.

With a 4.5-year payback, this model of affordable, low carbon, secure bioenergy will tap into Nigeria's £7.45B minigrid market to support enterprise and capacity building opportunities with training planned at later stages of the project to support local manufacture. Control systems will be adapted by UK SMEs for global commercial opportunities. The focus on flexible energy use and affordability will advance demand-side management and minigrid technology, so developing countries can leapfrog centralised infrastructure to pioneer innovative, more equitable models of generation, distribution and use.