BioGas Backpack
The Solution
The Biogas Backpack is a pillow shaped balloon from flexible, gas tight material, plastic sheet and fabric. The two inner layers are made of gas tight PE-sheet, welded at the two open ends and equipped with a welded, threaded flange, holding a mini ball valve. The backpack is filled with biogas from the biogas plant by simple pressure equalization instead of by pump or compressor. Therefore, it does not need to be equipped with a security valve to release gas in the case of over pressure.
To use the Biogas Backpack efficiently, it would make sense to produce the biogas in one central, technically advanced biogas plant. This way, farmers in the surrounding areas could contribute to the biogas production by selling substrate to the plant owner in exchange for biogas and fertilizer.
Because of the limited amount of biogas, the high content (30-60%) of non-flammable CO² in biogas and the non-pressurized status of the gas, there is no risk of an explosion. Even if in contact with open fire, the backpack does not explode, but rather burns down in a controlled manner. To avoid accidents with leaking gas, the backpack is designed to be stored outside the house.
Background Information
Combustible materials which are used for cooking, such as firewood and charcoal, are associated with a range of problems in many countries. Gathering these materials is time-consuming and difficult, also, because they are often in short supply. In addition, cooking with these materials can cause significant health problems. Replacing wood fuels, biogas can alleviate such problems while simultaneously reducing deforestation and soil erosion. However, once produced in biogas digesters it is very difficult to transport the gas to the respective households.
Social Impact
The Biogas Backpack aims to provide poor rural households with an affordable source of energy for lighting or cooking, thereby improving living conditions. Helping to avoid the time consuming task of collecting fuel wood, the biogas backpack helps to ease the daily work of women in developing countries. In addition, health risks can be minimized as burning biogas is nearly smokeless.
This solution was developed in order to facilitate the sale of biogas in developing countries and therefore makes it possible to start a business.
Facts & Figures
Capacity: 1.2 m³ of biogas
Weight: 4.4 kg (in a fully inflated state)
Costs: 29.50 Euro (production and marketing)
Used by Countries

Europe: Germany, Portugal, Switzerland,
Asia: India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal,
Africa: Tanzani, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya,
North America: Mexico
Video
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Key Facts
Organization: (B)energy
Website: www.be-nrg.com
Contact: Katrin Pütz
Email: info@be-nrg.com
Operating in: Ethiopia, Germany
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9d | biogasbackpacks
@GermanyAfrica: Congratulation to @biogasbackpacks and EEC for the beginning of a prosperius Partnership. #investing #biogas #energyOpp…
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46d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: 🥳Congrats to @biogasbackpacks for their European Solar Prize 2020 win! https://t.co/wAEdBBQq2T. If you are interested in…
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46d | biogasbackpacks
@GermanyAfrica: #webinar on Aid free #biogas to empower African #entrepreneurs with @VernerAyukegba and @energy_african https://t.co/A…
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46d | biogasbackpacksWebinar for Biogas Trendsetters, Tomorrow, 11 am CET with Keynote speech by @VernerAyukegba, in collaboration with… https://t.co/X4Ix0DJS8w
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52d | biogasbackpacksWe are very honored to be awarded the European Solar Prize 2020 for „true one world corporation“. Thank you… https://t.co/Cf92seFMto
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67d | biogasbackpacksIch freue mich dabei zu sein! https://t.co/3ifikoISZ1
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74d | biogasbackpacks(B)angels like Veit are essential to (B)energy! Without your professional support we would not be the same. https://t.co/EanNSGSErY
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88d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: This year again, #epNetwork member @biogasbackpacks is offering various bio gas training in different locations & langua…
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137d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: ✍️Eager to learn about #biogas tech & production and business opps with biogas? #epNetwork member @biogasbackpacks is of…
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193d | biogasbackpacks
@oekoRAUSCH: (B)energy ist ein echtes #socialbusiness, das Menschen weltweit zu sauberer, innovativer und ökologischer Kochenergie verhi…
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251d | biogasbackpacksSchon lange gibt es Haushaltsbiogas in Afrika, nur bei uns 100% frei von Hilfsgeldern, aber was wirklich interessan… https://t.co/zJhzR1ifQb
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251d | biogasbackpacks
@empowersource: @EnergyDemocracy @lefoucaldien @steenkjensen Noch so eine Kandidatin wäre Katrin Puetz von @biogasbackpacks.
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367d | biogasbackpacks
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368d | biogasbackpacksShort and clear - our biogas business is ready for more partners to join! To action now: people, climate, developme… https://t.co/ZAsdRLxPxZ
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422d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: 📰 Lesetipp! #epNetwork Mitglied Katrin Pütz (@biogasbackpacks) ist in der aktuellen @brandeins. Eine sehr lesenswerte St…
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443d | biogasbackpacks@BillGates @ewarren @BillGates I wish intelligent people like you were honest enough to admit that global poverty i… https://t.co/iYOa5rzXLm
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460d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: #epNetwork Mitglied Katrin Pütz entwickelt Mini-#Biogasanlagen für #Afrika. U. a. will die deutsche #Entwicklungshilfe m…
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500d | biogasbackpacksRenewable Energie Stammtisch Köln - Join us for an informal networking. Let's connect and join forces, it is time! https://t.co/oWKQrCSEgU
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1623d | biogasbackpacks
@Emp_Ppl_Award: Heute Abend in der Landesschau RP, 18:45 bis 19:30: Katrin Pütz und @biogasbackpacks! @landesschaurp #biogas #BoP #energ…
Press-Kit
- Press Release including Press Pictures
- Project Details
- Key visual empowering people. Award
- Logo of the empowering people. Award
Category
Food & Agriculture
Waste Management