Determining the Biogas Energy Potential from Greenhouse Wastes and Creating Maps: The Case of Antalya Province

Abstract

With the increasing need for energy, energy studies to be obtained from waste gain importance. In this study, the province of Antalya, where greenhouse cultivation is carried out intensely, was selected. It has been tried to determine the potential biogas energy that can be obtained from the waste generated by tomato, pepper and eggplant plants in greenhouses in Antalya. Maps of these biogas energy values were created and the usability of this energy in greenhouse heating was investigated. In the study, the amount of potential biogas energy available was calculated using the data of 2019, and maps were created and the energy levels of this energy equivalent to other energy sources were tried to be calculated. It has been calculated that 488597,20 kg of waste can be obtained annually in the greenhouses in the research area and the potential biogas energy that can be obtained from these wastes is 8035073.43 MJ per year. In greenhouse cultivation, heating is required to ensure the desired amount and quality of production. Therefore, heating has an important place in greenhouse cultivation and constitutes a large part of production costs. In this respect, it is thought that the potential energy that can be obtained from the wastes left over from the products grown in greenhouses can be used in greenhouse heating and can provide an economic benefit for greenhouse cultivation by reducing heating costs. In addition, it is predicted that maps created by determining the biogas energy potential can be used in energy planning.