PROSPECTS FOR BIOENERGY PRODUCTION FROM CROP WASTE IN THE EAST ZANGEZUR ECONOMIC REGION OF AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

The rapid growth of global energy demand and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves highlight the importance of biomass - agricultural byproducts - as a renewable energy source. The favorable soil and climate conditions of the East Zangezur economic region, a major agricultural area that plays a significant role in the Azerbaijani economy, have created significant opportunities for the development of bioenergy as an alternative energy source in the region. To implement sustainable agricultural waste management in this economic region, designated a "Green Zone," the objective was to determine the potential for bioenergy production from crop residues. Biogas production and bioenergy potential from crop residues were calculated using the BEFS Rapid Appraisal methodology. It was found that 91431.65 tons of plant waste are generated annually in the East Zangezur economic region, of which the largest amount of waste remains in the fields of grain and legume crops (49384 tons/year), wheat (38751 tons/year) and sugar beet (1424.9 tons/year). It was found that the economic region has the potential to produce 101592.992 MWh/year of bioenergy from all plant waste, of which 43058.111 MWh/year of bioenergy can be obtained from wheat residues, 54871.261 MWh/year from grain and legume residues and 1583.443 MWh/year from sugar beet residues. Considering the potential of biogas to reduce waste-related emissions as a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels, the annual biogas potential in the economic region was estimated at 18,286,330 m³, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 307,210 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Keywords: plant wastes, bioenergy, carbon emission reduction.