Efficiency of Utilization of Wastes for Green Energy Production and Reduction of Pollution in Rural Areas

Abstract

The aim of the study is to present the possibilities of simultaneous production of green energy and reduction of pollution in rural areas. Actions taken by small family businesses are in line with the goals of a low-carbon economy. The paper presents the results of research on the possibility of using ecological energy for production and, at the same time, utilizing harmful waste generated in farms in rural areas. Within a month, a medium-sized biogas plant can produce about 35–40 GJ of energy (depending on the input material). Biogas production may be of significant importance from the point of view of environmental protection, especially in the case of overproduction of animal waste and slaughterhouse materials. The production and use of energy generated from agricultural waste give a great opportunity for diversification and an increase in income of family farms. In addition to financial, energy, and environmental gains, we can obtain a very valuable fertilizer that is easily absorbed by plants in field cultivation. Energy efficiency is an important parameter in biogas production. The possibility of reducing pollution in rural areas and the possibility of using digestate as a fertilizer and an innovative addition to biocomposites.

Estimation of the Potential Global Nitrogen Flow in a Nitrogen Recycling System with Industrial Countermeasures

“…In the scenario of improvements to dietary consumption efficiency by humans from the current 15%-20% to 25% [15], the inputs and outputs for human, agricultural, and livestock use were calculated based on the nitrogen footprint [32]. To reduce the waste accompanying the processing of livestock for food, biogas production plant can be implemented on a small scale in rural areas [23,36]; therefore, the utilization ratio of agricultural and animal wastes for fertilizers was set to be 20%.…”

“…As the population continues to grow, it is expected to work more on precision agriculture [22]. Utilization methods of agricultural and animal wastes for biogas production have been developing recently and the produced digestate can replace the use of fertilizers from the Haber-Bosch process [23]. In this study, it is considered an important option of the agricultural countermeasures.…”

Multicriteria Quantification of the Compatibility of the Targets from Romania’s Relevant Strategies with the European Green Deal

“…The key to decarbonization and the operationalization of the crucial goal of "net zero emissions" is the production of the energy types that mankind now consumes, namely electrical, thermal, and mechanical, from green resources. The potential for green energy production and pollution reduction in rural regions is discussed by Borowski and Barwici [26]. The findings of research on the viability of employing environmentally friendly energy for production while also utilizing toxic waste produced on rural farms are provided.…”

Regional wood chip quality parameters decomposition and price linkage with impact on Polish energy sustainability: Time frequency analysis between 2013 and 2019

“…Coal power also provides employment for around 230,000 people in mines and power plants in 31 regions and 11 EU countries [ 10 ]. Climate and climate change are generally influenced by many factors, including vigorous activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, nitrogen fertilization, fluorine-based gases, and animal husbandry [ [11] , [12] ]. According to National Energy & Climate Change [ 13 ], power plants and cogeneration plants had the largest share of energy production in Poland in 2021, burning mainly hard coal (about 50 %) and lignite (about 26 %), natural gas (about 7.5 %), oil (1.3 %), and biomass (1.2 %) [ 14 ].…”