Assessment of the energy potential of agricultural residues in the Canary Islands: Promoting circular economy through bioenergy production

Abstract

The Canary Islands, renowned for their tourism appeal, grapple with a pronounced energy challenge stemming from their geographic fragmentation and heavy reliance on external energy sources, particularly fossil fuels. Moreover, the region's history is marked by recurring energy crises, underscoring the imperative need for a swift and decisive transition towards renewable energy sources. This research examines the potential of waste biomass as a renewable energy source in the Canary Islands. This reliance on non-renewable energy sources leads to increased energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, making the pursuit of a sustainable energy future a strategic priority in the region. This study proposes to assess the potential of residual biomass from the main crops of the Canary Islands, such as bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, and grapes, for bioenergy production. Statistical data were used to estimate the total availability of residues, while parameters like residue-to-product ratio, moisture content and calorific value were determined to calculate the energy potential of the residual biomass. The research findings reveal that the annual production of residual biomass from the primary crops in the Canary Islands is 234,744 tonnes (111,425 Tn/year from banana cultivation, 52,961 Tn/year from tomato cultivation, 40,102 Tn/year from potato cultivation, and 30,256 Tn/year from grape cultivation). This biomass has the potential to generate around 1.39 PJ of energy, equivalent to approximately 4.79% of the current energy consumption of the archipelago. Considering that renewable sources contribute to only around 20% of the energy production in the Canary Islands, the availability of this resource presents an exceptional opportunity for the region. By harnessing its natural resources, the Canary Islands can pursue sustainable economic growth while simultaneously mitigating negative environmental impacts. Definitely, the assessment of the potential of residual biomass plays a crucial role in evaluating sustainable energy resources and represents an important step towards a more sustainable energy future in the Canary Islands.