On the 2nd of July 2024, the Reclaim team, part of the Climate Tank Accelerator Program in collaboration with the Student Society for Climate Change Action (SSCCA), organized a field visit to the biogas unit at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. The visit, led by Prof. W. Nirmala S. Perera, provided the student participants from the Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, with a comprehensive opportunity to understand the biogas unit's technical operations and sustainability contributions.
The primary focus of the visit was to delve into the technical profile of the biogas unit, allowing students to study its design, capacity, and functionality in a real-world context. Participants engaged in detailed discussions on the practical challenges faced in the unit's operation and explored potential solutions to optimize its efficiency and long-term sustainability. By examining the unit's performance, the Reclaim team gained valuable insights into how biogas technology can be applied to support sustainable energy solutions.
An integral part of the field visit was observing how the biogas unit supports sustainable organic farming practices at the university. The participants learned how the by-products of the biogas process, particularly bio-slurry, are used to enhance soil fertility and improve crop yields in the university’s organic farming initiatives. This hands-on experience provided the students with an understanding of the vital connection between renewable energy technologies and sustainable agriculture.
The visit was further enriched by the presence of experts like Prof. W. Nirmala S. Perera and Prof. Lal Marvin Dharmasiri, Head of the Department of Geography, whose guidance offered valuable academic and practical insights. Their perspectives on biogas technology, particularly in relation to its applications in both academic research and sustainable agriculture, added depth to the students’ learning experience. Overall, the field visit was a success, fulfilling its objectives by providing students with an in-depth understanding of biogas operations, fostering problem-solving skills, and encouraging collaboration in the pursuit of sustainable environmental solutions.
