Assessment of energy potential of agricultural plants as a basis of bioenergetic management development in Ukraine

Abstract

Sustainable economic growth and increase in the level of population wellbeing, the diminution of energy dependence of Ukraine from the neighboring countries can only be achieved through the use of different types of biofuels, the practice of which is confirmed by the experience of other countries. One of the most promising types of fuel is agricultural plants, or rather the waste that remains after harvesting. The purpose of this study is to assess the energy potential of agricultural plants in Ukraine on the example of the Lviv region with an idea that it might reduce the energy dependence of Ukraine on Russia and other countries and will become a basis for improving the national energy management system. Assessment of the energy potential of agricultural plants was carried out on the example of the Lviv region. This assessment is based on all three components of the energy potential of agricultural plants (both theoretically and technically feasible and economically justified).According to the results of calculations, waste of wheat, other grain crops and rape has the largest energy potential. In particular, the energy potential of agricultural biomass of the Lviv region makes theoretically possible (maximum) 2.1 million tons of fuel equivalent, technically achievable 0.915 million tons of fuel equivalent (including losses), and economically expedient (optimal) 0.74 million tons of fuel equivalent. The evidence revealed in the study confirmed the fact that Ukraine has sufficient energy potential use of agricultural crops. All these measures correspond to the state strategy for the development of the energy potential of Ukraine. Considerable attention is paid to the need to form an optimal management system for the use of energy potential of agricultural plants in Ukraine. Given the significant economic efficiency of agricultural wastes, the expediency of its use as biofuels has been substantiated. The most effective in energy terms are grain crops (wheat, barley), which should be preferred in the process of biomass creation.