Substitute Biogas Source for Sustainable Energy Generation: Advances in Insects Employment

Abstract

The growing need for sustainable energy generation has sparked interest in exploring alternative biogas sources. In recent years, insects have emerged as a promising substitute for traditional feedstocks in biogas production due to their high protein and lipid content, rapid growth rate, and low environmental impact. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the advances in insect employment for sustainable energy generation. It presents a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, highlighting the potential of insects as viable and renewable biogas sources, the challenges associated with insect rearing and processing, and the technological innovations in optimizing their utilization. The review also discusses the economic viability and environmental benefits of employing in-sects in biogas production and future research directions in this emerging field. The nutrient content of fermentable or biodegradable organic materials will serve as an ingredient in the production of biogas/biomethane. Nutrient-rich insect frass will eliminate the need for co-digestion with another feedstock, as previously examined. Currently, insect waste is not a familiar feedstock for biogas production, as its first utilization dates back to 2018, when 177-225 mL/g TS of biomethane was realized.