THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
Aegean University Biomass Energy Systems and Technologies Application and Research Centre (BESTMER) Director Professor Dr. Günnur Koçar made evaluations regarding the biomass potential in Turkey and the studies conducted within BESTMER.
Dr. Koçar said, “Considering the biomass potential in our country, theoretically, we have such a high potential to meet one third of the annual electricity consumption.”
Stating that biomass energy is actually a known resource that has been used for a long time, Dr. Koçar noted, “Despite this, the use of modern and technologically advanced systems is unfortunately not as common as solar and wind systems. In spite of its rich biomass potential and diversity in our country, sufficient technological infrastructure, biomass energy systems, which have established their technical and economic competence all over the world, have not been implemented outside of the few facilities. Rather than using our total biomass potential, it is firstly important to run existing systems more efficiently. Because the difference of biomass systems from solar and wind power plants is that they can be operated 24/7. Sustainable bioenergy systems will be able to operate only if the raw material supply chain is properly planned and operating with high efficiency.”
“Theoretically it can meet 1/3 of annual consumption”
Professor Dr. Koçar explained, “In terms of resource diversity and biomass conversion methods, it is important to address the potential of animal waste and biogas potential, which enables the production of a mixture of natural gas, in particular, using cattle and poultry manure. Indeed, considering that it has 17 million cattle potential (BEPA-2020), this means that 120 million tons of waste can be obtained annually. Assuming that all of these wastes are used (it is never possible in practice), biogas production will be possible at a rate corresponding to approximately 4 percent of our annual natural gas consumption.”
“Even with only one type of waste and one cycle method, an energy recovery with high added value can arise. Considering other biomass resources such as poultry manure, agricultural residues obtained after harvest, oilseed crops, municipal waste, energy forestry products, forest residues and wastewater treatment sludge besides cattle waste, it will theoretically meet one-third of the annual electricity consumption,” Dr. Koçar added.
“In addition, the use of fermented wastes, which are obtained as another product with high added value after biogas production, is used instead of fertilizer, which is a very important option that can lead to ecological agriculture,” she concluded…
