Performance Evaluation of the “Bilise” Improved Biomass Cookstove in Reducing Fuel Wood Use and CO₂ Emissions in Aira District, Western Wallaga Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The unsustainable utilization of solid biomass fuels through inefficient Traditional Cook stoves (TCS) remains a major challenge to achieving energy and environmental security in Ethiopia. This study analyzed the efficiency of the Improved Multipurpose Mud Cook Stove (IMPMCS) in reducing household fuel wood consumption and carbon emissions in the Aira District. A cross-sectional research design supported by a mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 170 households. Data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Additionally, a simple experimental comparison was conducted for seven consecutive days involving 10 IMPMCS users and 10 TCS users under normal household cooking conditions. Dried Eucalyptus globulus wood was used as the biofuel source. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Version 26. Statistical tests indicated significant differences in fuel wood consumption between IMPMCS and TCS users (p < 0.05). Carbon emission reductions were estimated using the IPCC default net calorific values, emission factors, and carbon storage parameters. The results showed that IMPMCS reduced fuel wood consumption by an average of 1.78 tons per household per year and lowered annual CO₂ emissions by 2.82 tons CO₂e compared to TCS. The study concludes that IMPMCS improves household energy efficiency, promotes sustainable biomass utilization, reduces indoor and outdoor pollution, and contributes substantially to climate change mitigation. It is recommended that awareness creation and technology scaling efforts be strengthened so that rural households still using TCS can transition to IMPMCS.