Bamboo for Energy in the Global South

hfriederich@inbar.int

www.inbar.int

Structure

• Established as IGO in 1997

• Headquarters in Beijing, China

• Offices in India, Ghana, Ethiopia, Ecuador

• Promote Bamboo and Rattan

• International Commodity Body since 2001

42 INBAR Member States

Bamboo is Not a Solution for Europe

Energy in Africa

Monopodial (Running) Bamboo

Bamboo

Growing Bamboo

Household Charcoal

Calorific Values

Energy Source Calorific Value Kcal/Kg

Bamboo charcoal 6500 - 7000

Acacia charcoal 8000

Teak charcoal 6900

Bamboo for Households (BB4HH)

• Household need 600 kg charcoal per year

• 33% conversion rate means this requires 1.8

tons of bamboo per year

• 1 pole = 25 Kg

• Harvest 80 poles per year

• 1 clump has 40 poles; 25% harvest annually

• Plant 8 Clumps in the compound

Bamboo Plantation

Fast Growth

Return on Investment

Gassification

Bamboo Energy for Communities

• 20 – 50 tons bamboo/Hectare

• 1.14 kg bamboo = 1 kWh

• 1 Hectare bamboo enough for 40,000 kWh

• IEA threshold: 250 kWh/year

• 10 Hectares would provide power for a community of 1600 households

Could bamboo be a Solution for Europe?

Conclusion

• Bamboo charcoal for rural households in the Global South

“BB4HH”

• Bamboo plantations for energy, especially in Africa

• Europe?

www.inbar.int