Availability and Feasibility of Agricultural Crop Residues for Biomass Energy Use in East Marmara Region

Abstract

Identifying biomass resources for feedstock organization in biomass power plants is essential for diagnostics, logistics optimization, economic assessments, and scaling operations. This research examines the potential of agricultural waste biomass as a renewable energy source in Turkey's East Marmara Region. We estimated the total available residual biomass at the provincial level, focusing on annual crops and woody perennials. Key parameters, including residue-to-product ratios (RPR), recoverable fractions for bioenergy (RF), and low heating values (LHV), played a crucial role in determining both gross biomass potential and recoverable biomass potential, ultimately assessing energy output. The region produces approximately 1990.71 kt of gross crop residue biomass annually, with around 1115.58 kt (56% of the total) estimated as recoverable for bioenergy production. Sakarya province leads in recoverable crop residue, generating 646.75 kt per year (58%), followed by Duzce at 243.92 kt (22%). The primary sources of this recoverable crop residue include hazelnut prunings and shells, which contribute 457.47 kt (41%); maize residue at 371.08 kt (33%); wheat at 12%; and sunflower remaining at 4.5%. This biomass has the potential to generate about 18.85 PJ of energy annually, presenting a significant opportunity for sustainable economic development in rural areas while reducing environmental impacts. Additionally, a conceptual Digital Framework for Biomass Management (DFBM) is proposed to organize and analyze biomass data through a decision support information system, strengthening the study’s applicability within digital resource management.