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

Abstract

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.