Agricultural residues as a potential resource for environmentally sustainable electric power generation in Turkey

Abstract

In this study major agricultural residues of Turkey were identified and characterized as a potential fuel source for electric power generation. The environmental cycle for impacts of biomass utilization were investigated in comparison to Turkish lignites. Based on the total production of cereals (26.9 million tonnes) and oil-seeds (4.0 million tonnes) it is estimated that 53–68 million tonnes of agricultural residues are produced annually in Turkey, 60 % of which can be used for energy purposes. The primary energy content of the recoverable agricultural residues is in the range of 525–700 PJ or about 25–30 % of Turkey's annual primary energy consumption. Agricultural residues have the potential to replace all the lignite (35.3 million tonnes) and bituminous coal (1.3 million tonnes) used in electric power generation plants. Agricultural residues can also play an important role in reducing the most important environmental impacts from thermal power plants. The benefits include the reduction of net emissions of CO 2 efficient carbon recycling and lower SO 2 and NO x emissions due to the relatively low sulphur and nitrogen content of agricultural residues as compared to those of lignite.