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This paper focuses on a CCHP (Combined Cooling, Heating and Power) system based on co-firing in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) of biogas from anaerobic digestion and syngas produced by biomass gasification. From an energy perspective, in order for the mixture to make sense, a relationship setting the threshold percentage of methane in the biogas has been established. Gasification and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) models developed in Aspen Plus software and thermodynamic modeling of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) have been validated by comparison with experimental work conducted by other authors. The results show a decrease in energy efficiency with an increase in the percentage of methane in biogas and the mass ratio of the mixture. For extraction rates of 80 % and 90 %, respectively, exergy efficiency increases with an increase in the percentage of methane in biogas and the mass ratio of the mixture. Additionally, an increase in gasification temperature improves the efficiencies, while an increase in biogas temperature reduces them. The ICE is a significant source of exergy destruction.

Sub Saharan Africa has a great renewable energy potential. Rural areas are suffering from poor energy access. Some systems designed to address this issue are still faced with some difficulties. Appropriate approaches and energy plant development will help remote areas to address the issue of electricity access. The current development of some micro hydro and micro solar energy plants is of poor quality and maintenance, sometimes resulting in failures. There are also some common mistakes made when promoting (designing) an energy system in an African environment. Identifying issues from local constraints and lessons learned will contribute to determining the appropriate sizing, technology and tools to correctly develop micro hydro and micro solar energy plants.