January 6th, 2011

Euphorbia tirucalli is an interesting crop with a high biomass production potential. The plant contains an energy rich latex that has long been considered for rubber production or extraction of hydrocarbons. Research has shown this is not economically feasible after which interest in the crop vanished.

John Loke, director of Ecoenergia SA from Colombia, has been working on the crop for years and together with FACT Foundation developed the idea to test its potential for biogas. Ecoenergia SA and FACT will be doing so in 2011 in a project in Colombia. 

This will lead to a manual about Euphorbia tirucalli as an energy crop for rural electrification with information on planting, plantation management, harvesting and post harvest handling, biogas production, electricity production, minigrid establishment and electricity distribution in off grid remote areas. Electricity that can power homes, hospitals, offices etc.

A FACT study on biogas production from Euphorbia tirucalli is available: click_here.