Sustainability Assessment and Resource Utilization of Agro-Processing Waste in Biogas Energy Production

Abstract

Biogas production from agricultural waste reduces methane emissions and addresses climate change challenges by converting livestock and organic waste into energy. This study analyzed biogas production in agricultural enterprises under the European Green Deal, the advantages of biogas as an energy source, and the use of digestate in agriculture. The raw material for biogas production from agro-industrial wastes in Ukraine has been investigated, showing that the country’s biogas production potential amounts to 34.59 billion m3, including 0.65 billion m3 from processing plant wastes. The main types of biomass that can be used for biogas production in Ukraine are crop residues (71.4%), manure (26.6%), and food industry waste (2.0%). The implementation of biogas production projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.98 billion tons of CO2 and increase profits through electricity sales. This study examines the barriers and prospects for the development of electricity generation from biogas in Ukraine in the context of the integration of Ukraine’s energy system into the EU energy space. Directions for developing the biogas industry, focusing on electricity production within the framework of European decarbonization initiatives, will enhance the energy security of Ukraine and the EU. Estimating the energy production from agricultural waste allows for determining biogas output from organic waste. A regional biogas cluster model was developed based on the agro-industrial complex, which combines the production of biogas, electricity, water, and biofertilizers with increased efficiency and regional sustainable development.