Location and specialization indicators of animal bioenergetic potential in Paraiba (Brazil)

Abstract

Several international forums have been discussing energy insecurity in the world caused by dependence on oil and natural gas, as well as their consequent economic instabilities and environmental crises. In order to increase the energy matrix in both the developing and developed regions of the world and meet global goals, there is a motivation in the growing use of bioenergy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, which can increase energy security and provide a possible reduction in emissions of CO2. Biogas, a renewable energy resource, is produced by the decomposition of organic materials such as manure, agricultural waste, sewage sludge and food waste under anaerobic conditions. This study analyzed the pattern of location and specialization of the energy potential of livestock waste in the municipalities, in the immediate and intermediate regions of the Paraiba state (Brazil) from 2000 to 2020. The energy potential was estimated from the livestock residues acquired from the herds and the development of conversion coefficients based on data from the specialized literature. The indicators of specialization and location calculated were the Locational Quotient (LQ), and the indexes of Krugman (SI), Hoover (H) and Ellison-Glaeser (EG). The results showed that the Paraiba state can produce on average about 31.3 PJ of animal bioenergy each year. The immediate region of Campina Grande has the highest average annual energy, with around 7.38 PJ. In the region of Sumé and Monteiro was concentration of theoretical potential energy (TEP) of goat and sheep. Through the SI, a similar dissimilarity was observed between surrounding municipalities forming nuclei. Such a configuration may indicate a bioenergetic potential for possible investments to be studied.