The Potential of Agricultural Biogas Production in Ukraine—Impact on GHG Emissions and Energy Production

Adam Wąs,Magdalena Szymańska,Agata Malak-Rawlikowska,Marcin Wysokiński,Iryna Skorokhod,Nazariy Popadynets,Piotr Sulewski,Vitaliy Krupin

doi:10.3390/en13215755

Abstract

Renewable energy production is gaining importance in the context of global climate changes. However, in some countries other aspects increasing the role of renewable energy production are also present. Such a country is Ukraine, which is not self-sufficient in energy supply and whose dependency on poorly diversified import of energy carriers regularly leads to political tensions and has socio-economic implications. Production of agricultural biogas seems to be a way to both slow down climatic changes and increase energy self-sufficiency by replacing or complementing conventional sources of energy. One of the most substantial barriers to agricultural biogas production is the low level of agricultural concentration and significant economies of scale in constructing biogas plants. The aim of the paper was thus to assess the potential of agricultural biogas production in Ukraine, including its impact on energy self-sufficiency, mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the economic performance of biogas plants. The results show that due to the prevailing fragmentation of farms, most manure cannot be processed in an economically viable way. However, in some regions utilization of technically available manure for agricultural biogas production could cover up to 11% of natural gas or up to 19% of electricity demand. While the theoretical potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions could reach 5% to 6.14%, the achievable technical potential varies between 2.3% and 2.8% of total emissions. The economic performance of agricultural biogas plants correlates closely with their size and bioenergy generation potential.

Highlights

Production of agricultural biogas can be analyzed and assessed from three essential perspectives, i.e., the ecological, economic and social
Achieving the goals related to reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector is essential, as energy production and consumption are responsible for 72% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
More than half of all greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production is generated by the livestock sector [45]

Summary

Introduction

Production of agricultural biogas can be analyzed and assessed from three essential perspectives, i.e., the ecological, economic and social. Achieving the goals related to reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector is essential, as energy production and consumption are responsible for 72% of global GHG emissions More than half of all greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production is generated by the livestock sector (enteric fermentation, manure left on pasture, manure management) [45]. The remnants from farms are often supplemented by co-substrates, e.g., various organic materials from the food industry This can be even considered as advantageous both for the smooth course of microbiological processes taking place in the fermenter, as well as for the environment and the economy, as it provides the possibility for the safe disposal of organic wastes used to produce energy [51]. Public opposition has led to co-digestion becoming less important in many countries, for example Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands [13,53]

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