CAGE Biogas Generator in Kenya

CAGE Technologies Ltd (CTL), the company set up to commercialise clean gas engine technologies were invited by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to showcase their product at Kenya Innovation Week in Nairobi, December 2022. Developed by OakTec, the main CAGE product featured at the 3-day event was the novel biogas generator currently on trial on 5 farms in Kenya. These 6kW machines power the farm machinery, lighting and IT equipment.

The technology works by feeding cow muck into big plastic bags to create anaerobic digestion. The generator is then plugged into the bag to produce clean, efficient power.

Big plastic bags on a Kenyan farm.

The farmer makes significant savings by reducing their need to purchase petrol or diesel and, where available, on grid electricity, which is very costly. In addition, these machines have the same air quality benefits as the CAGE engines trialled in the UK construction sector. Exhaust emissions measured by Imperial College London showed a 95% reduction in health harming gases and particulates when compared to a new Stage V emissions compliant diesel machine of equivalent output. CTL founder Paul Andrews commented:

 “It was a really interesting trip and, great to finally see our machines on the ground and working so well. These were developed during lockdown with Innovate UK funding, and it is only now that we have had a chance to see them in action. The farmers absolutely love them because they are reliable and save them a lot of money

Highlights of the week were a visit to the CTL stand by Kenyan President William Ruto and a trip to one of the farms trialling the technology where the machine has worked continually for 18 months. Paul went on to say:

Meeting President Ruto was slightly surreal and unexpected. He was genuinely interested in the technology and, we later found out that he owns a large poultry farm. Maybe we should send him a brochure and price list!!”

More CAGE biogas machines have now been sold to India, Africa and Latin America and recently the first machine has been installed on a UK dairy farm.

Contact: paul.andrews@oaktec.net

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