Clean cooking energy is a crucial aspect of sustainable
living, yet many people remain unaware of its significance.
Three key elements define clean cooking: the type of fuel
used, the cooking device, and user behavior, determine efficiency,
cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.
The Respondent Online interviewed Winfrida Robert, an
engineer at the Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization(TIRDO). As a research assistant in Energy and Materials Laboratories, she specializes in testing stoves and exploring alternative fuels,
such as charcoal made from agricultural waste.
She explains that clean energy refers to energy sources that
produce minimal or no pollution in its production and use.
“Renewable energy sources like solar, geothermal, wind,
hydropower, biogas, nuclear, and hydrogen fall under this category,” she says.
Also read: TIRDO at the forefront of research for Tanzania’s clean cooking energy transition
Within this broad field, clean cooking focuses on minimizing
emissions and maximizing energy efficiency in cooking appliances.
TIRDO, as a research institution, identifies three key
aspects of clean cooking energy that everyone should consider.
“First, the choice of fuel is crucial,” Winfrida explains.
Clean cooking fuels include biogas, liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG), solar energy, electricity, and pellets derived from agricultural
residues. The environmental benefits are evident, as traditional charcoal
production from trees contributes to deforestation and pollution.
“In contrast, compacted agricultural waste can be converted
into clean charcoal, reducing environmental damage while providing efficient
cooking energy,” she adds.
Second, the cooking appliance itself must meet efficiency
standards to minimize heat loss and emissions. Even with a clean fuel source,
an inefficient stove can lead to energy waste.
“Third, user behavior significantly affects energy
consumption,” she notes. “Poor cooking habits, such as leaving stoves on
unnecessarily, result in wastage and higher costs.”
Proper clean cooking practices save both time and money. For
example, in rural areas, people often spend an entire day collecting firewood.
“By adopting efficient stoves and clean fuels, they can
reduce fuel consumption and direct their resources toward other essential
needs,” Winfrida says.
Simple behavioral changes, such as covering cooking pots to retain heat or preheating water while cooking beans, contribute to greater efficiency.
“Turning off electric stoves when not in use or
disconnecting them from the power source prevents unnecessary energy loss,” she
advises.
Traditional charcoal stoves, commonly made from metal sheets
or three-stone setups, are inefficient and require large amounts of fuel.
Intermediate stoves, often made from clay, perform slightly better. However,
improved cookstoves, designed according to international and national
standards, significantly enhance fuel efficiency.
“The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) classifies stoves
into four categories based on their performance, with the highest-class stoves
consuming the least fuel while maintaining optimal heat output,” Winfrida
explains, addiing “The difference between a traditional three-stone stove and a
high-efficiency cookstove is substantial—improved models reduce charcoal
consumption while delivering the same cooking results.”
Despite the advantages of clean cooking, transitioning to
sustainable energy remains a challenge for many Tanzanians.
“With over 61 million people, universal access to clean
energy is hindered by costs and infrastructure limitations,” Winfrida notes.
Biogas production is still expensive, and solar and wind
energy require significant investment. Even electricity and LPG remain
concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations reliant on traditional
fuels.
“In this transition phase, using high-efficiency stoves can
help bridge the gap,” she suggests.
Awareness campaigns are essential to educate people about
the differences between various cookstoves and how improved models can reduce
fuel expenses.
Munira Hussein, a 21-year-old resident of Kitunda in Dar es
Salaam, provides a practical example of the impact of clean cooking.
“I use a six-kilogram LPG cylinder, which costs TZS 24,000
to refill and TZS 50,000 for a new one,” she says. “For my household of six, a
cylinder lasts about five weeks.”
Previously, she relied on a traditional charcoal stove made
from clay, which lacked certification from TBS or TIRDO.
Her daily charcoal expense was around TZS 2,000, totaling
TZS 60,000 per month.
With LPG, she not only saves money but also benefits from a
cleaner and more convenient cooking experience.
“LPG is very affordable for me—no searching for fuel, no
time wasted, and it’s healthier,” she adds.
Her good cooking habits, such as preparing all ingredients
before turning on the stove, further optimize energy use.
She acknowledges hearing about briquette charcoal and
improved cookstoves but has never used them.
“I’ve never tried them, but I’d love to know more and give
them a shot,” she says.
Quality control in clean cooking fuels is critical. Kennan
Tarimo, a laboratory scientist, explains the process of producing and testing
briquette charcoal at TIRDO.
“The production starts with cleaning raw materials and
carbonizing them in kilns to remove volatile compounds that cause smoke,” he
says.
“The resulting charcoal is ground into fine particles and
mixed with natural binders like cassava or maize starch. The mixture is then
compressed into different shapes and dried before being sent to the laboratory
for quality testing,” he adds.
TIRDO evaluates factors such as ash content, moisture
levels, smoke emissions, and carbon composition to ensure compliance with
national standards set by TBS.
“We perform these tests to ensure the final product is safe
for consumers and environmentally sustainable,” Kennan adds.
Expanding access to clean cooking solutions requires
strategic interventions. Public awareness and education campaigns can help
communities understand the benefits of improved cookstoves and alternative
fuels.
“Promoting high-efficiency stoves can lower fuel costs and
reduce environmental impact, making clean cooking a viable option for more
households,” Winfrida concludes.
With continued research, policy support, and community
engagement, Tanzania can advance towards a future where clean cooking is the
norm rather than the exception.