Technical and economic feasibility of using agricultural biomass (grain straw and oilseeds) for heat production in Kazakhstan

Abstract

A steady trend of recent decades is the search and implementation of efficient, rational and renewable sources of thermal energy to reduce environmental pollution. Agricultural biomass pellets can be used as biofuels. Purpose – issues of development of bioenergy in Kazakhstan, economic feasibility of using this technology by managing supply chains of grain straw and oilseeds from the field to the consumer are considered. Methods – analysis of logistics audit, which examined the characteristics of supply chains from raw materials to energy resources, taking into account each stage of logistics: harvesting, storage, transportation, associated costs and the flow of information through logistics channels. Results – main logistics chains for the delivery of this organic energy carrier, its cost and complex logistics operations in production and use of energy, as well as losses at each stage, are determined. It has been determined that potential amount of waste varies for various crops and regions of the republic. Recommendations have been developed for functioning of logistics system for the supply of waste materials of agricultural production as fuel for boiler house and directions for improving the efficiency of logistics means of communication based on existing and potential ways of importing biomass are shown. Conclusions – agro-industrial complex will receive significant benefits from the use of renewable energy sources (RES) through "green" technologies. In addition to environmental benefits, renewable energy will reduce operating costs and improve energy security of the enterprise. Renewable energy production will help diversify the income of economic entities in agro-industrial complex through the sale of surplus electricity produced, as well as various types of biofuels – promising type of renewable energy resources with high calorific value.