Geospatial analysis of hydrogen production from biogas derived from residual biomass in the dairy cattle and porcine subsectors in Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

The specialized dairy cattle and porcine subsectors in the Region of Antioquia offer a sustainable and renewable energy source through anaerobic digestion of residual biomass. This process offers multiple advantages, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, environmentally friendly fertilizer production, and the establishment of self-sustaining models for remote rural areas lacking access to traditional energy sources. Recent advancements in hydrogen production through methane conversion using biogas reforming technologies have garnered substantial attention as a viable fossil fuel alternative. The Colombian National Hydrogen Strategy, aimed at 2030, envisions an electrolysis capacity of 1–3 GW, requiring an estimated USD 5.5 billion investment in hydrogen production and demand projects, notably in mobility and refineries. This necessitates a specialized regulatory framework with incentives to drive lasting investments that align with decarbonization and reindustrialization objectives. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of animal house boundary residual biomass sources to determine their biogas potential. Industrial livestock activities revealed substantial technical-energy potentials: 1,896 TJ/year for pig farming and 187 TJ/year for dairy cattle practices. The research’s primary objective was a geospatial analysis pinpointing hotspots for biogas production from residual biomass within the dairy cattle and porcine subsectors in the specific region of Antioquia, in Colombia. This research is of great interest as it contributes to the growing field of sustainable energy production. It highlights the potential of utilizing residual biomass to transform local energy landscapes in alignment with global sustainability imperatives.