Potential Of Agricultural Biomass Research Articles

The Potential Diversity of Agricultural Biomass in the Context of the Organization of Agricultural Production and Circular Agriculture in Poland

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy, but it also generates many residues and waste that are only partially used (as, for example, feed, litter, and fertilizer). The resulting residues and waste can be valuable components for other sectors of the economy (e.g., energy), contributing to the implementation of a circular economy. The main aim of the research is to assess the diversity of the biomass potential from agricultural residues in the context of the level of organization of agricultural production and circular agriculture in Poland at the local level (314 counties). The level of organization of agricultural production was determined using the synthetic measure based on four variables (average farm size, number of tractors per farm, share of farms producing for the market, and the number of AWU per 100 ha of UAA). The potential of agricultural biomass was estimated on the basis of existing surpluses of straw, hay, energy crops grown on marginal lands, and residues from orchard maintenance. The data came from the General Agricultural Census conducted by the Polish Statistical Office in 2020. The conducted research showed that over 75% of counties are characterized by a high and medium level of organization of agricultural production. However, unused biomass resources from agricultural production residues are common (2/3 of counties are characterized by high and medium potential). There is a positive relationship between the level of biomass potential from agricultural residues and the level of organization of agricultural production at the local level in Poland, but the strength of this relationship is weak.

Innovative approaches for amino acid production via consolidated bioprocessing of agricultural biomass.

Agricultural plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia yield substantial waste, necessitating proper disposal to address environmental concerns. Yet, these wastes, rich in starch and lignocellulosic content, offer an opportunity for value-added product development, particularly amino acid production. Traditional methods often rely on costly commercial enzymes to convert biomass into fermentable sugars for amino acid production. An alternative, consolidated bioprocessing, enables the direct conversion of agricultural biomass into amino acids using selected microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential of agricultural biomass in Indonesia and Malaysia for amino acid production through consolidated bioprocessing. It explores suitable microorganisms and presents a case study on using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 to produce 9.56mg/mL of amino acids directly from pineapple plant stems. These findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable amino acid production methods using agricultural biomass especially in Indonesia and Malaysia through consolidated bioprocessing, reducing waste and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Detailed analysis of Türkiye's agricultural biomass-based energy potential with machine learning algorithms based on environmental and climatic conditions

AbstractIn the study, the biomass and energy potential of each province of Türkiye was calculated for the years 2010–2021, using data from 15 different fields and 16 different horticultural crops. The total theoretical energy potential obtained from field and garden products was calculated as 222,620 Terajoule (TJ) and 61,737 TJ for 2010 and 308,888 TJ and 77,002 TJ for 2021, respectively. The agricultural biomass potential for 2021 was estimated using machine learning algorithms, depending on the environmental and climate data covering 2010–2020, which has not been studied in the literature. In this study, agricultural biomass potential for Türkiye was tried to be modeled by using Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gradient Boosting, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regressor (XGBR) from machine learning methods. Agricultural biomass potential was tested in a tenfold cross-validation analysis and prediction for 2021 using only climatic and agricultural area data. In addition, by applying feature selection, it has been tried to reduce the features to be used and increase the success rate. Accordingly, when the results of the Random Forest algorithm were generalized, it achieved an R2 value of 0.9328 using all features for the tenfold cross-validation analysis. At the same time, it reached an R2 value of 0.9434 using four features in the prediction of 2021 and was found to be successful. Considering only the 2021 forecast, the KNN algorithm reached the highest result with an R2 value of 0.9560 using only four features. Also, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test result at p = 0.05 shows no significant difference between the predictions and the actual values. Graphical abstract

The Energy Potential of Agricultural Biomass in the European Union

The objective of this study is to conduct a quantitative assessment of the theoretical potential of agricultural biomass in EU countries for energy production. It explores various biomass sources, such as agricultural residues, animal husbandry by-products, and energy crops. Using data, the study examines the potential biomass across different EU countries, emphasizing the disparities due to diverse agricultural practices. The analysis underscores the need for customized biomass strategies in each Member State, tailored to their specific agricultural conditions. The study identifies biomass as a vital energy source for the EU's energy independence and reducing fossil fuel reliance. It also highlights the necessity for future research on improving biomass conversion technologies and policy development for integrating agricultural biomass into the energy framework, considering the unique aspects of each country's agricultural sector.

Spatial Differentiation of Agricultural Biomass Potential in Polish Voivodeships

The main aim of the article is to assess the potential of agricultural biomass and the possibility of its use for energy purposes in Polish voivodeships. Five sources of agricultural biomass were analyzed: straw, hay, waste wood from orchards, perennial energy crops, and natural fertilizers. For the purposes of the research, the theoretical and technical potential of agricultural biomass was estimated. The potential of agricultural biomass was estimated for Polish voivodeships based on the data of the 2020 Agricultural Census. The conducted research shows that Polish voivodeships have a significant theoretical potential for agricultural biomass. However, due to the fact that biomass is widely used in plant production (as a natural fertilizer) and animal production (as fodder or bedding), only about 40% of the identified theoretical potential can be used for energy purposes. The research also shows that the dominant source of agricultural biomass that can be used in Poland is straw from cereal crops. Moreover, a significant part of the identified potential is located in the western part of Poland (Wielkopolskie, Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie voivodships) and partly in the east (Lubelskie voivodship). Although the possibility of using natural fertilizers for energy purposes has not been identified, the theoretical potential of which is very high, an increase in the importance of renewable energy from agricultural biogas plants should be expected in the near future. This is due to the changes taking place in the storage and management of natural fertilizers.

Utilization of biomass for energy conservation in agricultural usage

Ensuring food security is a crucial sustainable development goal in developing countries such as India. One of the major challenges is affordable storage infrastructure for food preservation. The high cost of storage facilities is due to expensive insulating materials. In this study, we explored the potential of agricultural biomass, which is often burned, as a low-cost sustainable insulating material for energy conservation in cold storage technologies. We investigated the efficacy of biomass as a heat insulating medium and compared its transmission losses with conventional polyurethane foam (PUF). The biomass characterization results showed that the thermal conductivity of paddy straw biomass was 0.0670 W/m°C, with the lowest conductivity observed for 1–2 mm sized biomass particles. By demonstrating the potential of agricultural biomass as an affordable and sustainable insulating material, this study contributes to the development of cost-effective storage solutions, ultimately benefiting farmers and supporting food security efforts in developing countries.

An Algorithm for Managerial Actions on the Rational Use of Renewable Sources of Energy: Determination of the Energy Potential of Biomass in Lithuania

This paper offers an algorithm to account for potential actions on the efficient production of renewable energy. The algorithm consists of a substantiated choice of a certain type of renewable energy, the evaluation of its potential, and the regulation of the processes of obtaining that renewable energy. Also, potential resources for agricultural biofuel production have been analyzed and it has been determined that there is real biomass potential in Lithuania. It will thus be beneficial to make appropriate managerial decisions on the methods of biofuel processing and consumption, as well as on means of receiving the economic, energy and environmental effects. The total potential of by-product biomass of crop production was determined, and the thermal and electric potential of the crop by-products were calculated. Additionally, the potential for production of gas-like types of fuel (biomethane, biohydrogen, and syngas) from crop by-products was determined. The potential for the production of diesel biofuel from oil crop waste (bran) was also found, and the potential for livestock by-products for receiving gas-like types of fuel (biomethane, biohydrogen) was established. The corresponding thermal and electric equivalents of the potential were found and the potential volumes of the biomethane and biohydrogen production were calculated. The total energy equivalent equals, on average, 30.017 × 106 GJ of the thermal energy and 9.224 × 106 GJ of the electric energy in Lithuania. The total potential of biomethane production (taking into account crop production and animal husbandry wastes) on average equals 285.6 × 106 m3. The total potential of biohydrogen production on average equals 251.9 × 106 m3. The cost equivalents of the energy potential of agrarian biomass have been calculated. The average cost equivalent of the thermal energy could equal EUR 8.9 billion, electric energy—EUR 15.9 billion, biomethane—EUR 3.3 billion and biohydrogen—EUR 14.1 billion. The evaluation of the agricultural biomass potential as a source of renewable energy confirmed that Lithuania has a large biomass potential and satisfies the needs for the production of renewable energy. Thus, it is possible to move to the second step, that of making a decision concerning biomass conversion.

Održiva poljoprivreda Srbije kroz prizmu tržišta obnovljivih izvora energije

The agricultural sector significantly endangers the environment and human health through the excessive use of chemical agents and the use of heavy machinery. At the same time, the sector represents a significant source of renewable energy sources (abbreviated RES). The research results indicated that Serbia still does not have indicators for measuring RES production and consumption in the agricultural sector. Their determination should be the first task of public policies and national statistics, so that the state of the RES market in this sector can be effectively monitored. The research was enriched with a case study that examined the state of the domestic agropellet market and the possibilities of new producers entering this market. The results showed that, although the potential of agricultural biomass for the production of agropellets in Serbia is huge, the market for this energy source is quite underdeveloped. The awareness of the inhabitants of rural areas about the possibilities of using agricultural biomass for household energy needs is low, and an additional limitation is the non-incentive tax policy in this area.

The Role of Agricultural Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source in European Union Countries

The aim of the research is to assess the potential of agricultural biomass available in European Union countries that can be used for energy purposes. The research took into account the potential of agricultural biomass from: straw from cereal crops, hay from permanent grasslands, natural fertilizers from animal husbandry, cultivation of energy crops on fallow land and waste wood from permanent crops. The study estimated the theoretical potential presenting the energy value of all existing agricultural biomass resources in EU countries and the technical potential taking into account agricultural biomass resources that are not used in agriculture. The research was based on Eurostat data for 2019. The conducted research shows that European Union countries are characterized by a significant potential of agricultural biomass. However, due to the high demand for this resource in agriculture, about 15% of the existing potential can be used for energy purposes. Among the analyzed sources, the highest potential is characterized by straw from cereal crops and by the cultivation of energy crops on fallow land. The conducted research also indicates a large spatial differentiation of the potential of agricultural biomass in European Union countries, which may have a negative impact on the economic efficiency of using this renewable energy source.

Hydrogen production potential from agricultural biomass in Punjab province of Pakistan

Depleting resources and popping environmental concerns instigate the development of sustainable and clean energy solutions. Amongst others, Hydrogen (H2) is an imperious alternative due to the lowest emissions, higher calorific value, and usability. It has great relevance in Pakistan due to sequester Agricultural biomass potential that can be used as feedstock for H2 production. So, this study estimates the H2 production potential from agricultural biomass (rice, sugarcane, cotton, wheat, and maize) of Punjab, Pakistan. In doing so, simulations are performed using Aspen Plus under various conditions to derive an optimal value of H2 output. The results indicate significant heterogeneity across districts and crop residues types. Therefore, the Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to draw the spatial distribution of optimal H2 production across crops and districts. The simulated results reveal that Punjab province has the potential to produce 2619.90 × 103 Metric tons (MT)/year H2, and the highest potential derives from sugarcane trash (1012.77 × 103 MT/year), followed by maize straw (433.67 × 103 MT/year). The estimated H2 potential (2.62 million MT/year) can be used in industries, transportation, and urea production as a sustainable alternative in Pakistan.

What are the barriers to agricultural biomass market development? The case of Poland

This paper examines the main determinants of biomass market development from a regional perspective in the context of current EU climate and energy policy. The EU’s targeting of climate neutrality implies a new, multifaceted role for agriculture as a producer of energy resources. The challenge is to orient production to support the sustainable development of the circular economy. The possibility of using agricultural waste as a type of energy raw material aligns with a holistic approach to product management. The use of agricultural biomass as an energy raw material can enable increased energy self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on imported fuels among Poland’s regions and an increase in the country’s energy security. The aim of the study is to identify barriers to and opportunities for the development of the agricultural biomass market. The empirical section presents survey data from interviews with farm owners in the Polish province with the highest agricultural biomass potential, located in a region with one of the largest opencast mines in Europe. The estimated parameters of a logit model indicate that the logistical aspects of raw material collection and organization and a lack of knowledge of biomass are the main barriers to biomass development on the supply side.

Renewable energy derived from agricultural biomass in peripheral rural areas: ‘Vicious circle,’ ‘Gordian knots,’ and turning points

The holistic methodology of the article consists of linking spatially differentiated cumulative causality processes and related structural issues in the ‘vicious circle’ of the underutilization of the renewable energy potential of agricultural biomass, with the ‘Gordian knots’ of omissions and errors in public policies. A Gordian knot is a metaphor for a cluster of interdependent, multidimensional, and excessively complicated problems that cannot be solved in a conventional way that can only be ‘disentangled’ by an ‘Alexandrian cut,’ or a bold action that severs it decisively. The conceptual framework matrix integrates the turning points approach and applies it to the interrelationship between internally breaking down the underutilization of the renewable energy potential of agricultural biomass and Alexandrian cuts that create the conditions for a bottom-up uptake of energy crops and renewable energy derived from agricultural biomass in peripheral rural areas. This study relies on a survey conducted on a sample of 2,191 farmers as well as secondary data to contextualize the survey data. We indicate that an interaction of cumulative causality processes and related structural issues ‘tighten’ the vicious circle, making reciprocally Gordian knots ‘impossible to untangle’.

THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS IN THE FUTURE BIOECONOMY

The European Commission presented the 2018 Bioeconomy strategy, which developed an action plan for a resource-efficient, competitive and sustainable economy. The bioeconomy sectors are also linked to the European Green Deal, Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition Communication, Farm to Folk Strategy and other innovation strategies. In the transition to a low carbon world, biomass plays a crucial role as an alternative to fossil resources. In the EU, agriculture is the main source of biomass with 68% of the total supply. The paper analyses European Union agricultural biomass potential, supply and use. Agricultural biomass is part of the core bioeconomy sectors and its demand is increasing. However, the potential of biomass and its alternative uses are a major concern. Biomass is a renewable but limited resource and, on that basis, it is important to outline the balance and to pay attention to the relationship between the nutritional and industrial needs of biomass in terms of food and energy security. The policy framework in this regard has to be complex and well-targeted. The biomass use could lead to a number of benefits associated with resolving global issues. On the other hand, if sustainability is not taken into account, the opportunities for inclusive growth and development will not be achieved.

Evaluation of the biogas potential of agricultural biomass waste for energy applications in Greece: A case study of the western Greece region.

Agricultural biomass can be best described as the organic matter residues from farming that remain within the fields after harvesting, along with tree trimmings. From the overall Greek Energy Balance, only a small fraction consists of biomass and this has been the main driving force behind this study. Due to the numerous ongoing agricultural activities, western Greece was selected as an ideal area for a case study. As a second step, the aim was to investigate the feasibility of the current anaerobic digestion plants to utilize the total biomass as feedstock. An additional scope to provide certifiable proof of the essential rural biomass assets available. Information on the potential of agricultural biomass is provided, with a focus on the performance specifications and the social advantages, but also the soil added substances and the produced biofuels. Subsequently, two options for waste management were discussed to illustrate the possibility of generating energy. The anaerobic digestion plants available in western Greece are illustrated in detail and the yearly rate of the main agrarian biomass is evaluated to be 715,080 tons. Arable crops, mechanical plants and tree trimming are recorded as the noteworthy sources. It is estimated that the proposed anaerobic digestion system will handle the entire amount of biomass and deliver max per year electricity 775 GWh and thermal energy 1.119 GWh.

Bioenergy technologies and biomass potential vary in Northern European countries

Due to the geographical and economic conditions, northern European and, particularly, the Baltic Sea region (BSR) countries are especially predisposed to biomass production and bioenergy generation. Assuming the large diversity in biomass potential and bioenergy technologies among the countries, the purpose of this study was to assess the potential of biomass and characterise the development of bioenergy technologies in nine BSR countries (Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Norway). However, Russia was not included in our analyses since data complementary to the other BSR countries could not be obtained. The largest technical potential of agricultural biomass, manure and slurry was found to be in Germany and Poland. Sweden has the largest number of pellet production plants, but the highest production was found in Germany, which is the leading biogas producer among the analysed countries (92% of all biogas plants). The gross production of derived bioheat was the highest in Sweden. Germany had the highest final energy consumption of bioheat in all sectors. The current study found that bioenergy constitutes an important share in the renewable energy structure across the majority of the BSR countries and confirmed the large diversity in biomass potential and bioenergy technologies resulting from geographical location, land use structure, population size and other factors beyond this analysis. The northern European example is a good path to follow by other regions of the world and can help improve their bioenergy development efforts.

Bio-Based Carbon Materials from Potato Waste as Electrode Materials in Supercapacitors

This study investigates the production of biobased carbon materials from potato waste and its application in energy storage systems such as supercapacitors. Three different categories of carbons were produced: hydrochar (HC) from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at three different temperatures (200 °C, 220 °C, 240 °C) and two different duration times (two hours and five hours), pyrolyzed hydrochar (PHC) obtained via pyrolysis of the HTC chars at 600 °C and 900 °C for two hours and pyrochar from the pyrolysis of biomass at 600 °C and 900 °C for two hours. The carbon samples were analysed regarding their physico-chemical properties such as elemental composition, specific surface area, bulk density and surface functionalities as well as their electrochemical characteristics such as electric conductivity and specific capacity via cyclic voltammetry. N- and O-enriched carbon materials with promising specific surface areas of up to 330 m2 g−1 containing high shares of microporosity were produced. Electric conductivities of up to 203 S m−1 and specific capacities of up to 134 F g−1 were obtained. The presence of high contents of oxygen (4.9–13.5 wt.%) and nitrogen (3.4–4.0 wt.%) of PHCs is assumed to lead to considerable pseudocapacitive effects and favor the high specific capacities measured. These results lead to the conclusion that the potential of agricultural biomass can be exploited by using hydrothermal and thermochemical conversion technologies to create N- and O-rich carbon materials with tailored properties for the application in supercapacitors.

Strategic Priorities for the Use of Biomass in the Energy Supply System of Ukraine

Abstract The economic feasibility of the use of agricultural biomass in the energy supply system of Ukraine is investigated in the article. It has been determined that biomass of agricultural origin (cereal straw and rapeseed, by-products of corn for grain and sunflower, sunflower husk) remains the main component of biomass energy potential in Ukraine. It is established that the bioenergy potential of agricultural biomass is an efficient and affordable additional source of energy supply for Ukraine. According to the research, the potential of the bioenergy market was attributed to the great potential of biomass, the large stock of unused land that could be used for growing energy crops from the marketing side, it is also important to note the low competition in the industry. However, imperfect state policy on bioenergy development, outdated equipment, uncoordinated rules for selling electricity from biomass in the electricity market – all this suggests that the industry needs increased investment, borrowing experience from European countries for further development. It is proved that the political and economic situation in the country remains very difficult and unpredictable not only for the bioenergy industry, but for the country as a whole.

POTENTIAL AND PROSPECTS FOR USING AGRIBIOMASS FOR ENERGY IN UKRAINE

Purpose of the work is to identify promising directions for using agribiomass for energy in Ukraine. Current state and prospects for the development of this segment of bioenergy are considered. Analysis of the strategic goals for bioenergy development set by the National Renewable Energy Action Plan until 2020 and Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2035 shows that only wide involvement of agribiomass in the country's fuel and energy complex can ensure attainment of these goals. Ukraine has considerable potential of agricultural biomass. According to data of 2018, it is 10.1 Mtoe, which is 44% of the total bioenergy potential. The main constituents of agribiomass potential are cereal straw and by-products of grain corn production. Today, of the various types of agribiomass, sunflower husk is most actively used for energy: more than 63% of its potential. Utilization of the potential of other types of agricultural residues is between 0 and 3%. For Ukraine, the most promising direction is priority use of corn stover for energy. Feasibility study of corn stalks harvesting as well as production of briquettes and pellets from them was performed. Main factors affecting the cost-effectiveness of projects on solid biofuel production are cost of raw materials, manufacturing line productivity and sale price of the finished product. Results of the feasibility study show that corn briquettes and pellets can be competitive in the biofuel market of Ukraine, and their production can be a profitable business project.

Multi criteria analysis of the energy potential of agricultural residues: The case study of Međimurje County in Croatia

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.

Anaerobic digestion for energy production from agricultural biomass waste in Greece: Capacity assessment for the region of Thessaly

Agricultural biomass is a term that refers to the agricultural residues, which remain in the fields after harvesting along with the tree pruning. The small fraction of biomass in the Greek energy balance has been the driving force behind this research. The region of Thessaly has been chosen as case study area due to its large agricultural activities. The scope has been the research of the possibility to exploit the available biomass waste as feedstock in the existing anaerobic digestion plants. Additional scope is the identification of the available primary agricultural biomass resources. Information is provided for the potential of agricultural biomass, like quality characteristics and social benefits, but also soil additive and biogas produced. Next, the waste management potential of Larissa and Thessaly are examined in order to highlight the potential of energy production. The available anaerobic digestion plants in Thessaly are outlined. The production of primary agricultural biomass on annual basis is estimated to be 707164 tons. The significant streams are identified to be arable crops, industrial plants and tree pruning. The proposed anaerobic digestion process is expected to handle the whole biomass amounts and produce per year max. 619 GWh of electricity and 895 GWh of thermal energy.