Harnessing Renewable Energy (Biofuels) Potentials through Bioenergy Simulation for Economic Electricity and Heat Generation and Reduction of Net Carbon Emissions in Gombe State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Abstract Bioenergy is one of the various renewable options available to help satisfy global energy demands and reduce carbon imprints. This research work focuses on animal wastes and agricultural residues in Gombe State to maximize the potential for bioenergy resources. The production data for major agricultural crops output and quantity of livestock available were obtained from the Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. For the estimation of potential bioenergy, the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA's geospatial tool Bioenergy Simulator was utilized. The overall projected amount of agricultural residues accessible for bioenergy, according to the research, was 2.39 million tons of residue. Based on these projections, agricultural residue has the ability to generate 7.1 million gigajoules of bioenergy. The total gross power and heat generated by these agricultural wastes are estimated to be 11.47 million GJ (3.19 MWh) and 65.71 million GJ (18.925 MWh) respectively. In the case of animal manures, it is estimated that 8.17 million GJ (2.26 MWh) and 9.98 million GJ (2.77 MWh) of total gross electricity and heat will be produced. Furthermore, by utilizing the waste's gross power generated from the wastes, the emission of approximately 702,000 tCO2e from the use of grid electricity will be avoided. The study therefore recommended that the economic viability of establishing such a bioenergy project be properly studied and that the Gombe State Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy should be promoted in order to establish a stable and consistent environment for the bioenergy sector in Gombe State.