Introduction

Bioenergy represents a cornerstone of the global transition toward a sustainable and diversified energy portfolio. By converting organic matter into a usable power source, it offers a compelling alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a circular economy. The field is rich with innovation, encompassing a variety of conversion technologies that can produce electricity, heat, and advanced biofuels. As the demand for renewable solutions intensifies, a deep understanding of bioenergy systems, their applications, and their environmental impact is becoming increasingly valuable for professionals across multiple industries.

This comprehensive training course is designed to provide you with a detailed analysis of bioenergy systems, from the sustainable sourcing of biomass to the various methods of converting it into energy. You will explore the technical and economic feasibility of different conversion pathways, including combustion, gasification, and fermentation. We will cover the entire value chain, equipping you with the knowledge to evaluate projects, manage operations, and contribute to the development of a cleaner energy future. By the end of this course, you will be proficient in assessing the viability of biomass-to-energy projects and identifying key opportunities for innovation.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Energy engineers
• Environmental scientists
• Project managers
• Renewable energy developers
• Policy analysts
• Sustainable development consultants
• Agricultural professionals
• Waste management specialists
• Financial analysts in the energy sector
• Research and development professionals

Objectives

• Understand the core concepts of bioenergy.
• Master the principles of biomass sourcing and sustainability.
• Analyze different types of biomass feedstocks.
• Learn to design and evaluate bioenergy projects.
• Use quantitative tools for project feasibility.
• Understand the global regulatory framework for bioenergy.
• Develop a framework for ethical biomass use.
• Assess the impact of new technologies on the field.
• Understand the ethical implications of bioenergy production.
• Use life cycle assessment for environmental impact.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Bioenergy

• The ecosystem of bioenergy.
• Common types of biomass feedstocks.
• The importance of a sustainable approach.
• Understanding the bioenergy value chain.
• The role of technology in bioenergy.

Module 2: Biomass Sourcing and Sustainability

• The importance of a transparent and fair sourcing framework.
• The unique challenges of using agricultural residue.
• The difference between dedicated energy crops and waste biomass.
• The role of technology in biomass management.
• The impact of a changing economic environment.

Module 3: Biomass Pre-treatment

• The importance of a clean and reliable feedstock.
• The use of physical and chemical pre-treatment.
• The role of densification.
• The challenges of working with limited biomass.
• The use of pre-treatment visualization tools.

Module 4: Thermochemical Conversion

• The principles of combustion and gasification.
• The use of pyrolysis and torrefaction.
• The importance of a reliable conversion process.
• The validation and back-testing of models.
• The challenges of working with different feedstock types.

Module 5: Biochemical Conversion

• The principles of anaerobic digestion and fermentation.
• The use of enzymatic hydrolysis.
• The importance of a reliable biological process.
• The validation and back-testing of models.
• The challenges of working with different feedstock types.

Module 6: Biofuel Production

• The concept of first and second-generation biofuels.
• The role of advanced biofuels in transport.
• The benefits for both producers and consumers.
• The importance of a robust technology platform.
• The challenges of implementing these solutions.

Module 7: The Regulatory and Legal Landscape

• An introduction to key energy regulations.
• The role of regulators in overseeing bioenergy projects.
• The legal challenges of cross-border transactions.
• The importance of a robust compliance program.
• The ethical implications of energy production.

Module 8: Environmental Impact Assessment

• The principles of life cycle assessment (LCA).
• The use of carbon accounting.
• The importance of a human-in-the-loop.
• The challenges of using these tools in production.
• The future of environmental impact assessment.

Module 9: Economic Feasibility Analysis

• The concept of a project feasibility study.
• The role of financial modeling in reducing risk.
• The types of project financing techniques.
• The importance of a data-driven approach.
• The challenges of a rapidly changing market.

Module 10: Capstone Project Part 1: Design

• Defining a specific bioenergy project for modeling.
• Mapping the feedstock requirements and technology architecture.
• Outlining the key technical and economic requirements.
• Creating a detailed project plan.
• Presenting the design to a mock review board.

Module 11: Capstone Project Part 2: Development

• Implementing a model for a chosen biomass type.
• Using the model to evaluate a sample of conversions.
• Analyzing the model's performance on key metrics.
• Building a presentation to explain the analysis.
• Documenting all assumptions and data sources.

Module 12: Capstone Project Part 3: Presentation

• Presenting the full analysis of the chosen project.
• Discussing the risks and benefits of the model.
• Proposing a plan for project improvement.
• Q&A and peer feedback session.
• Receiving expert recommendations and insights.

Module 13: Emerging Trends

• The use of blockchain in bioenergy.
• The role of AI in supply chain management.
• The evolution of conversion technologies.
• The impact of new data sources on project feasibility.
• The future of bioenergy.

Module 14: Case Studies

• A case study of a major bioenergy plant.
• A case study of a biofuel producer's challenges.
• A case study of a national energy grid's integration.
• The lessons learned from past projects.
• The importance of a robust framework.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.