Assessment of biomass energy potential in a region of Portugal (Alto Alentejo)

This work focuses on assessing the potential for generation of biomass residues from agroforestry sources in a region of Portugal (Alto Alentejo), within the scope of energy valorization of the biomass by means of combustion technologies. The model uses a GIS-based method to estimate the technical potential of biomass based on current cartographic and statistical data. The analyzed components related to the biomass potential are: effective biomass area (in ha), biomass availability (in dry t/year) and energy potential (in GJ/year). The potential of agricultural and forest residues in Alto Alentejo is estimated to be 4000 dry t/year and 40,000 dry t/year, respectively. This amount of biomass corresponds to an energy potential of 158,000 GJ/year, which is equivalent to 100% of the combined consumption of electricity in three out of the nine municipalities covered in this study. A preliminary analysis on the suitability of the location and characteristics of a 9 MW biomass power plant in the region is made; alternative solutions and most representative species are also discussed. It was concluded that not enough biomass is available to supply the energy facility and that the most promising option for the region is the combustion of residues in small scale units. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.