Biomass potential of Turkey and energy production applications

The fact that fossil-based energy sources will run out requires the efficient use of the existing sources and as well as more effective and widespread use of renewable energy sources. The use of organic waste, which has a significant place among renewable energy resources, gains importance in terms of environment and energy optimization in sustainable development models. One of the renewable energy resources is biogas. In the countries where biogas technology is common, energy is produced by processing all kinds of organic waste in the biogas production facilities. Besides energy production, land, water, and air pollution caused by the waste is reduced to minimum. On the other hand, organic waste from the facilities is used as fertilizer in the vegetable production. In this research, biomass potential, which has an important and different place among renewable energy sources in terms of its existing potential and production technologies, is studied. Animal and vegetable-based waste and the equivalent energy potential of the biogas that can be produced out of these wastes have been identified. In this study, the average amount of dry biomass produced in Turkey in a year and the average heating value of the dry biomass have been calculated. In addition, suggestions have been made for taking advantage of the biomass potential efficiently and extensively. Turkey is rich in biomass and has adequate facilities and environmental conditions in terms of the development of this resource. In order to reduce the dependence of Turkey on foreign energy, transition to energy forestry and energy agriculture, development of obtaining biofuel from them and wastes, and biogas obtained from fertilizers, waste and garbage are required to be given importance.