Abstract
Biomass plays a major role in satisfying the energy needs of Afghanistan, especially in the residential sector where fuel demand is primarily met in the form of fuelwood, charcoal, crop residues and animal manure. Till now, enough work has not been undertaken to assess the biomass energy potential in the country to support renewable energy development plans and more sustainable use of biomass resources. This paper is limited to the assessment of biomass energy potential from the following resources: (A) forest fuelwood and charcoal, (B) crop residues (wheat, rice, barley and maize residues) and (C) cattle manure for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14. The study assesses a total biomass energy potential of 97,310 TJ during the period 2012-13 and 99,012 TJ during the period 2013-14. It is observed that only about 52% of the estimated biomass energy potential is being exploited. The estimated energy potential of the selected biomass could contribute up to 69% in the primary energy consumption of Afghanistan (140,966 TJ) during the year 2012-13.
Highlights
Biomass is a major source of energy in Afghanistan
The energy potential of cattle manure (EPmanure) through biogas production can be estimated based on the number of animal (NA), dry matter recoverable (DMR), its fraction of volatile solids (VS), yield of biogas (Ybiogs), annual biogas potential of the manure (ABPmanure) and lower heating value of biogas (LHVbiogas) [6]
The total estimated energy potential of the selected biomass was 97,310 TJ for the year 2012-13 and 99,012 TJ for the year 2013-14
Summary
Biomass is a major source of energy in Afghanistan. It contributes about 57.5% in the total primary energy consumption. Around 90% of households in the country use biomass as fuel, 65% of the used biomass is fuelwood [1]. A study revealed that these forests degraded at a rate of 2.92% per year during the 2000 to 2005 [2]. About 85% of the population directly or indirectly depends on agriculture as income source. About 79% of the rural households and 94% of the nomad (Kochyan) population possess some kind of animals [3]. This study assesses the energy potential of the following biomass resources of Afghanistan for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14: (1) Forest fuelwood and charcoal, (2) crop residues and (3) cattle manure. The study has been conducted based on data collected from various sources and field survey
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