Assessing the Bioenergy Potential of the Agro-Industrial Complex to Ensure the Energy Independence of the Industry

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the bioenergy potential of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine to ensure the energy independence of the industry. The article analyzes the structure of the world-wide supply of primary energy and determines the share of renewable energy sources (hereinafter – RES) in this structure. The expediency of using biomass for the development of bioenergy in Ukraine is substantiated. The classification of the main sources of biomass for energy production is characterized, which, first of all, include primary wood, agricultural waste (dry and wet residues), energy plants, food and industrial waste. The formation of primary agricultural waste in Ukraine is studied, starting from the gross harvest of the main crops and waste coefficients. The theoretical bioenergy potential of primary crop waste in Ukraine in terms of equivalent fuel based on the heat of combustion of waste from the corresponding crops is calculated. The technical bioenergy potential of crop waste has been determined using the coefficients of technical accessibility, the basis of which is the existing technologies for the collection and processing of agricultural waste into energy. An assessment of the economic potential of crop waste for energy production is carried out, the computed technical potential of crop waste and the coefficient of energy use of waste have been taken as the basis for the calculation. According to the results of the study, it is concluded that in Ukraine, the primary waste of such crops as corn for grain, sunflower, wheat, rapeseed and soybeans has the greatest potential for use for energy purposes. The main barriers that hinder the development of bioenergy in Ukraine and slow down the pace of achieving energy independence of the agro-industrial complex are identified. The main ways to overcome the identified barriers are proposed, which should stimulate the use of the bioenergy potential of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine.

Keywords

• agricultural waste
• primary crop waste
• biomass
• bioenergy
• bioenergy potential
• energy independence