Energy potential of agricultural residues in Peru for use in thermochemical processes

Abstract

In the challenge of achieving a decarbonized, sustainable and fair economy, the use of indigenous biomass resources must be considered as a source of energy. In Peru, despite the enormous energy potential that residues from agricultural activities represent, these are not considered, thus 75% of primary energy production in 2019 came from fossil fuel sources. The research work carried out presents the energy potential at the departmental level in Peru of agricultural residues that can be used via thermochemical processes with a high degree of maturity. The work included the analysis of agricultural production at the national, departmental and provincial levels; identification of raw material requirements for thermochemical conversion processes; and the design of a methodology for the analysis, selection and quantification of agricultural residues with energy potential, considering the following aspects: volumes generated, geographical location, characteristics that the residues must have for their energy use, alternative uses and environment impact of their use. The crops whose residues were identified with high energy potential and possibilities for their use were bananas (41.5%), sugar cane (28.4%), rice (20.3%), corn (5.6%), oil palm (2.0 %), cotton (1.0%), coffee (0.8%) and cocoa (0.4%); the selected residues of these crops were stems, gin residues and cottonseed hulls; rice straw and husks; sugar cane bagasse and straw; pulp, silver husk and parchment of coffee; cocoa outer shell; straw and cob of hard yellow corn; banana pseudo-stem and leaves; and leaves, tusa, shell and fiber of the oil palm. The estimated total theoretical energy potential from agricultural residues, at the national level, amounts to 304.9 million GJ and the departments with the highest energy concentration were La Libertad (15.3%), San Martín (14.46%), Piura (13.1%) and Lamba yeque (8.7%).