From Agricultural Waste to Energy: Assessing the Bioenergy Potential of South-Central Texas

Ömer Ertuğrul (), Bassel Daher, Gülden Özgünaltay Ertuğrul and Rabi Mohtar
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Ömer Ertuğrul: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, 40100 Kırşehir, Türkiye
Bassel Daher: Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Gülden Özgünaltay Ertuğrul: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, 40100 Kırşehir, Türkiye
Rabi Mohtar: Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: This paper addresses the challenge of meeting increasing energy needs by assessing the potential of bioenergy as a sustainable resource option in South Central Texas. Available agricultural crop residues suitable for bioenergy production are evaluated from the 21 counties in South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Area (Region L). The residues produced and available for bioenergy are quantified according to the production areas for each field crop and tree area. Residue-to-product ratios of field crops are determined according to crop type and production quantity. Biomass potential of trees is calculated based on tree density and biomass production per tree. The results demonstrate that the potential productions of utilizable agricultural wastes are in the range of 898.7 t kt–1421.39 kt for Region L. The average annual energy potential is estimated at 19.27 PJ, and ranges between 14.36 and 24.18 PJ. The average potential biomass-based electricity production could compensate significant amount of coal-based electricity generated in the Texas and when agricultural wastes are available.

Keywords: alternative energy sources; biomass; crop residue; potential assessment; renewable energy; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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