Spatial analysis of feedstock supply and logistics to establish regional biogas power generation: A case study in the region of Sicily

Francesca Valenti, Simona M.C. Porto, Bruce E. Dale and Wei Liao

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, vol. 97, issue C, 50-63

Abstract: A hypothetical regional biogas power generation system based on multiple biomass feedstocks for the Catania province in Sicily was developed. A three-step approach of data collection, GIS-based analysis, and techno-economic assessment was used to analyze and design the biogas power generation system. Based on the amount of available and useable biomass, the biogas power generation system with a nominal electricity capacity of 3.6 MW-e can convert 211,000 t/year biomass into 15,374,000 m3 biogas, 30,000 metric ton soil amendment, and generate 23.1 GWh-e electricity and 35.5 GWh-e heat per year. The geographic information system (GIS) based analysis determines the size and location of four biogas plants in the system. The techno-economic assessment concludes that the system is able to satisfy 27% of the total agricultural electricity demand in the province and shows excellent economic performance with a discounted payback period of less than 6.5 years for the entire biogas power generation system. The results clearly demonstrate that the regional biogas production system can offer a sustainable solution for renewable electricity generation using agricultural residues and food wastes in Sicily. This study also elucidated that the three-step approach is a suitable method to carry out such analysis and to facilitate establishing biogas plants in different regions.

Keywords: Agriculture biomass; Biogas plant; GIS modeling; Techno-economic analysis; Renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.08.022

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