E-Technology Enabled Sourcing of Alternative Fuels to Create a Fair-Trade Circular Economy for Sustainable Energy in Togo

Essossinam Beguedou (), Satyanarayana Narra, Ekua Afrakoma Armoo, Komi Agboka and Mani Kongnine Damgou
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Essossinam Beguedou: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Satyanarayana Narra: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Ekua Afrakoma Armoo: Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
Komi Agboka: West African Service Center for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use (WASCAL), University of Lomé, Lomé P.O. Box 1515, Togo
Mani Kongnine Damgou: Department of Physique, University of Lomé, Lomé P.O. Box 1515, Togo

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Sustainable energy projects in Africa are particularly vulnerable in terms of sourcing vital alternative fuels due to the complexity of sourcing processes, contract agreements and relationships between society managers or directors and supplier chain entities. These challenges can affect any phase of a sustainable project, and the losses can be as high as 3.2 EURO/GJ. In addition, there is reduced competition and fair trade, low profits and poor quality of the fuel purchased. Technology (mobile application) is one powerful tool that can solve the above challenges by controlling or managing the supply and demand of biomass-based fuels, agriculture residue, industrial waste and many more. Thus, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a developed digital platform to remove barriers in the trade of alternative fuels. Data collection began with the identification of the key production areas (sources) and quantities of three selected AFs. Secondly, data on the seasonal variations in alternative fuel (AF) quantities were obtained from the identified locations. Thirdly, the acquisition costs were calculated based on the quality and characteristics of the AFs. Results were then transferred into a mobile application where industries could assess, compare, and bargain for AF based on quality and price. Due to the introduction of competitive pricing, overall, the mobile application improved the savings on sourcing for AFs by industries by 2.89 EURO/GJ. In terms of profit optimization, the farmers have value for money and fair bargaining for their products, thus increasing their revenues for the planting season. It was also observed that the cost of the fuel was based on the proximity of the source to the demand industry. In conclusion, the mobile application facilitates a circular economy between the farmers, suppliers and industries where industries receive fair and competitive prices for their fuel whiles farmers receive extra income for farming businesses and agricultural waste is sustainably managed through a circular economy.

Keywords: circular economy; Africa; Togo; bioenergy; mobile application; supply chain; alternative fuel (AF); risk husk; palm kernel shells; cashew nutshell; cost optimization; profit optimization; e-commerce (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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