Bioenergy potential of Ukrainian agriculture

Abstract

The study of the possibility of transition of agricultural production to self-sufficiency in energy resources based on renewable energy sources is an urgent issue and was conducted based on statistical data for Ukraine in 2019. It was found that the biological yield of plant biomass is 64.3 million t, and ensuring a zero humus balance can be achieved by using straw in the amount of 11.7 million t. At the same time, the excess amount of straw that can be used for energy needs may amount to 7.5 million t, which is about 12% of the total biological yield of plant biomass. The maximum amount of straw for energy needs cannot exceed 19.2 million t with a deficit-free humus balance in crop rotation due to the need to use straw for other priority needs, which is 29.8% of the biological yield of plant biomass of field crops. This is possible only if at least 40% of the sown area in the crop rotation will be under green manure. Calculations have shown that the potential production of biomethane based on organic biomass of manure, droppings and glycerol can reach about 1 billion m3, which is 4 times higher than the consumption of natural gas in agricultural production in Ukraine. Electricity generated from generator gas and biomethane in the amount of 5,464 million kWh is by 932 million kWh less than the total demand for agricultural and food production, but by 3059 million kWh greater than the needs of agricultural production.