A Methodological Framework for Technology Selection and Regional Implementation of Residual Bioenergy in Colombia

Robinson Echavarria-Sarmiento, Eduardo Gómez-Luna, Rafael Franco-Manrique and Juan C. Vasquez ()
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Robinson Echavarria-Sarmiento: Grupo de Investigación en Alta Tensión-GRALTA, Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760015, Colombia
Eduardo Gómez-Luna: Grupo de Investigación en Alta Tensión-GRALTA, Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760015, Colombia
Rafael Franco-Manrique: Grupo de Investigación en Alta Tensión-GRALTA, Escuela de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Electrónica, Universidad del Valle, Cali 760015, Colombia
Juan C. Vasquez: Center for Research on Microgrids (CROM), AAU Energy, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: Colombia, due to its agricultural and livestock diversity, has significant potential for electricity generation from residual biomass. This study proposes a methodological framework to evaluate the most appropriate conversion technologies for the Colombian context, considering both technical and territorial factors. Through a review of thermochemical, biochemical, and physical methods, the available technologies and their respective energy products were identified. A national inventory of homogeneous residues by department was then developed, revealing that livestock waste accounts for 52.03% of the total, followed by banana residues (12.44%) and plantain residues (10.73%). These data were incorporated into a decision matrix linking regional residue availability with technological compatibility. The results emphasize the high feasibility of anaerobic digesters, ethanol bioreactors, gasifiers, and pyrolysis reactors, depending on the type and volume of residues. Furthermore, electricity generation remains largely concentrated in sugarcane bagasse from sugar mills in the southwest, highlighting the need to diversify applications in other regions. The proposed decision matrix provides a practical tool to prioritize technologies at the territorial level, positioning anaerobic digestion, bioethanol production, gasification, and pyrolysis as the most promising options to diversify Colombia’s energy matrix and strengthen regional energy resilience.

Keywords: residual biomass; conversion technologies; bioenergy; electricity; gasification; anaerobic digestion; ethanol; biodiesel; energy matrix; Colombia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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