Biofuels from wastes in Marmara Region, Turkey: potentials and constraints

Turkey, as an energy importing country, is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, bringing about an escalation in environmental problems and raising concerns regarding energy security. However, biowastes offer a potential solution to these woes, especially in Marmara Region of the country. In this study, the region’s potential in terms of the use of waste for energy production is analyzed. Within this context, agricultural and livestock wastes are examined in terms of their amounts, theoretical energy potentials, and associated costs to generate electricity. To evaluate economic costs, collection and feedstock costs for animal and agricultural wastes are used as input in three different scenarios based on FAO’s assessment. Based on the waste volumes and energy potentials thereof, it is found that biowastes can theoretically meet more than half of the electricity demand of the region. The results of the cost analysis demonstrate that both direct combustion of agricultural wastes and conversion of animal wastes to biogas in CHP plants to produce electricity are cost-effective in the context of various scenario options, considering the LCOE and feed-in-tariff values.