Exchange: "Biogas for Energy" – E-Learning Platform for Latin America and the Caribbean

Biogas systems enable the treatment of residues and effluents and reduce the likelihood of water and soil pollution. The biogas produced is a useful and clean energy option, while the digestate carries compounds that fertilise and improve eroded soils. However, people whose homes, farms and industries generate residues and effluents, as well as professionals who could work with such technology, lack sufficient knowledge about the design, installation, operation and maintenance of biogas systems. Consequently, the e-learning platform is an essential tool for the diffusion of this knowledge in a practical way and at a relatively low cost to all Latin American and Caribbean countries. By successfully sharing the relevant technological know-how, this project could trigger a positive social and environmental impact. The exchange aims to expand the already available CIBiogás e-learning platform in order to reach a broad audience of students, technicians, officials and other practitioners from Latin America and the Caribbean. The exchange will build upon the existing training materials offered by CIBiogás, as well as including wider knowledge and experiences from RedBioLAC. The courses will be offered in a dynamic and interactive web learning environment by means of a Portuguese and Spanish language internet website offering a bilingual tutor and formal evaluation procedures to ensure knowledge transmission and teaching quality and to prevent students withdrawing from the course.