Abstract
Aim of study: The utilization of agricultural residues may become one of the major sources for production of energy from biomass. The objective of this paper was to analyse the type and quantity of agricultural residues and to determine their energy potential.Area of study: The Međimurje County (north Croatia).Material and methods: The paper analyses three models of sustainable agricultural residues management applying the multi-criteria analysis. The assessment included potentially available quantities of residues in crops, fruit, viniculture and livestock production. For determining the most appropriate model of residues utilisation the multi-criteria analysis was applied.Main results: The results show that total quantities of agricultural biomass amount to 323,912 t with energy potential of 1,092 TJ annually. The largest sustainably available potential of agricultural biomass consists of biomass from arable crops production, with total quantity of 33,670 t followed by 281,233 t of manure from livestock production. The lowest share of potential biomass are pruning residues in fruit and grapevine production with total available residual quantity of 8,109 t. Also, it results from the multi-criteria analysis that a central large scale plant for biogas production is the most feasible facility for such production.Research highlights: The results of this paper provide ground for further development of the models for assessing the sustainability of using agricultural residues, and they can also serve as a basis for assessments of bioenergy projects in specific regions of the European Union.
Highlights
By-products of the agricultural production can become valuable feedstock for bioenergy and bioindustry, and manure can be transformed into biogas and fertilizers
Research highlights: The results of this paper provide ground for further development of the models for assessing the sustainability of using agricultural residues, and they can serve as a basis for assessments of bioenergy projects in specific regions of the Additional keywords: renewables; biomass; sustainability; energy utilization; county level; European Union
The results show that total potential of agricultural residues is 7,973.34 t with energy potential of 78,138.73 GJ/t
Summary
By-products of the agricultural production can become valuable feedstock for bioenergy and bioindustry, and manure can be transformed into biogas and fertilizers. This stimulates the energy transition and a more substantial recycling of nutrients. There is a clear need to encourage investments in restructuring of agricultural production capacities, modernisation, innovation and application of new technologies and possibilities based on digital technologies, such as precision agriculture and clean energy, in order to enhance sustainability of individual farms and their competitiveness and resilience, including resilience to negative influences of climate changes. Climate changes are evident and our influence on the changes ongoing in the nature and in the environment is beyond dispute
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
