Calculation of Solar and Biogas Energy Potential of Sarıcakaya PDF

# Calculation of Solar and Biogas Energy Potential of Sarıcakaya ## Abstract The use of solar energy and biogas energy are very important resources in terms of reducing environmental problems, contributing to the energy economy, energy supply security and increasing employment. The solar energy an...

# Calculation of Solar and Biogas Energy Potential of Sarıcakaya ## Abstract The use of solar energy and biogas energy are very important resources in terms of reducing environmental problems, contributing to the energy economy, energy supply security and increasing employment. The solar energy and biogas energy potential of Sarıcakaya district of Eskişehir was examined. It has been calculated that Sarıcakaya can meet its daily energy needs with 28,200 panels of 385 Wp power during minimum sunshine hours, and can meet more than 2 fold its annual energy needs with its annual average sunshine hours. Taking the animal existence of 2021 as a reference, the amount of collectible useful fertilizer that can be obtained was 34,711 tons/year. The amount of biogas in terms of methane (CH4) to be produced with the resulting fertilizer was calculated as 1,109,951 m3 CH4/year. By converting biogas into electrical energy, more than 45% of the district's annual electricity needs can be met. It was calculated that the total CO2 emission of the electrical energy to be produced with solar energy and biogas will be 530 tons-CO2/GWh and that 326 tons-CO2/GWh and 23,222 tons-CO2/GWh emissions can be prevented compared to other energy sources. These calculation results show that the utilization of solar energy and biogas energy of Sarıcakaya district will make a serious contribution to the energy economy and the prevention of carbon dioxide emissions. ## Keywords Sarıcakaya, Solar energy, Biogas, CO2 emission. ## 1. Introduction Technological advancement has improved human quality of life, and energy is now an essential requirement in almost all facets of life. Utilizing optimal methods to satisfy this energy demand should be a priority for governments. Various sources and technologies are employed to generate the energy required globally. Fossil fuels are the most widely used energy sources; however, they have some drawbacks. The most important of these is that fossil fuels take millions of years to form, and according to research, they are non-renewable and expected to be depleted within the next 150 years. - Fossil fuels are not readily available in every part of the world making them difficult to acquire for all countries. Certain areas of the world, such as those reliant on oil, face difficulties as it’s primarily sourced from a limited number of nations. - Countries’ reliance on these sources can potentially have unintended consequences in times of conflict or international unrest. - Furthermore, the use of fossil fuels is a major contributor to air and environmental pollution, leading to climate change and impacting all living organisms. Countries are actively investigating the potential of renewable energy sources to address energy security concerns and reduce environmental pollution. For instance, nations without significant fossil fuel reserves are investing in renewable energy technologies. - Renewable energy refers to energy sources like solar, wind, water, biomass, hydrogen and geothermal. These sources are capable of replenishing themselves, making them a viable and sustainable energy source for the future. - Every country’s renewable energy potential is influenced by location-specific geological and geographical factors. Renewable energy presents a viable solution for addressing a country's energy needs and reducing environmental impact. - Renewable energy sources are abundant, particularly solar energy which is readily available in most parts of the world. Solar energy is the outcome of hydrogen turning into helium, and it is a free, clean, inexhaustible and readily available source of energy. ### Solar Energy - Solar power can be used to generate electricity in various applications, including open fields, rooftops, building facades, greenhouses, and it can be integrated into agricultural systems and floating structures for water bodies. - Additionally, photovoltaic panels can be built on top of greenhouses, creating renewable energy systems that utilize the readily available sunlight and offer shade. ### Biogas Energy - Another promising renewable energy source is biogas, which is generated from biomass, including animal waste. It’s produced through the decomposition of animal manure and various organic materials in a suitable environment. - The process involves anaerobic digestion of biomass, which converts the organic matter into biogas, mainly methane, and other byproducts like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and nitrogen. - Biogas provides numerous advantages besides its clean energy potential: - Reduces reliance on fossil fuels. - Minimises environmental pollution, particularly air pollution. - Mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. ## 2. Material and Methods ### 2.1. Calculation of Solar Energy Potential The electricity consumption of various facilities, residences, and workplaces is not uniform. As such, the solar system capacity should be evaluated using the average daily electricity demand. - This involves calculating the average daily electrical energy usage, considering the expected electricity consumption from each facility, residence, and workplace. - The average daily electrical energy usage then dictates the solar system capacity required for a specific location. Solar systems are not %100 efficient, and the generated energy is prone to losses due to various factors, including: - The photovoltaic panels’ performance may be affected by environmental factors such as dust, shade, or snow, leading to reduced sunlight absorption and energy output. - The efficiency of various components, such as inverters, batteries, and cables, can lower the overall energy output. - The system efficiency (ηsis) is calculated using equation **1**: $ŋsis = npv * Nakü * ɲinv$. Where: * npv = Photovoltaic panel efficiency (typically 80%) * Nakü = Battery efficiency (typically 80%) * ɲinv = Inverter efficiency (typically 90%) - The electrical energy that needs to be produced to compensate for the losses is calculated using equation **2**: $ÜGE = YE / ŋsis$. Where: * ÜGE= Electrical energy that needs to be produced * YE = Load’s energy demand - The number of solar panels (PS) required to generate the desired amount of electricity depends on the panel's capacity, the required energy output, insolation levels. It is calculated using equation **3**: $PS = \displaystyle\frac{ÜGE}{Bir\ Güneş\ Panelinin\ Gücü * Güneşlenme\ Süresi}$. Where: * ÜGE= Electrical Energy needs to be produced * Bir Güneş Panelinin Gücü = Solar Panel Capacity, in kW * Güneşlenme Süresi = Duration of sunshine in hours - To determine the battery capacity, we need to consider the number of days with no insolation and the energy demand during those days. The required battery capacity is calculated using equation **4**: $Akü\ Kapasitesi = \displaystyle\frac{ÜGE}{Deşarj\ Olma\ Faktörü} * KGGS$ Where: * ÜGE = Energy demand * Deşarj Olma Faktörü = Discharge factor of the battery (represents how much the battery can discharge while remaining efficient in the operation) * KGGS= Number of cloudy days - The area needed to install the solar panels is calculated using equation **5**: $A = PS*Pen*Pboy$. Where: * A = Area required for panel installation * PS = Number of solar panels * Pen = Width of the panel * Pboy = Length of the panel - To calculate the minimum land required, we add the area needed to install the panels, and the area needed for infrastructure, which includes factors like cabling, installation equipment and other elements. - Typical photovoltaic panels have a power range of 675 Wp, with 1000 Wp being the upcoming standard, covering an area of around 2.1 m². Based on the technology used, 1 to 15 acres are needed for a 1 MW electricity generation capacity. However, this requirement will be less with advances in solar technology. ### 2.2. Biogas Energy Potential Calculation <start_of_image> Schematic representation of the procedures for calculating biogas potential. - The biogas production is influenced by the type and amount of animal waste as well as the recovery rate, which is the percentage of animal waste collected for biogas generation. - The daily manure production of animals varies depending on the species and breed. - For large-scale farming operations, the majority of the animal waste can be collected. However, for smaller farms, the recovery rate decreases as animals often graze in open areas. - Therefore, it's essential to consider only the collectible manure amount for calculating biogas energy potential. - The total animal manure production (MYYM) can be calculated using equation **6**: $MYYM = MYG * S * 365$ Where: * MYYM = Total amount of animal manure produced per year, in kg/year. * MYG = Average daily manure production per animal, in kg/day. * S = Number of animals. - The total amount of collectible manure per year (MYFYG) can be calculated using equation **7**: $MYFYG = MYYM * T$ Where: * MYFYG = Amount of collectible manure, kg/year * MYYM = Total amount of animal manure produced per year, in kg/year * T = Collectible manure ratio (%) - The total amount of collectible manure per year, in kg/year, is calculated using equation **8**: $MKM = MYFYG * KM$ Where: * MKM = Total amount of solid matter in collectible manure, in kg/year. * MYFYG = Total amount of collectible manure, in kg/year. * KM = Solid matter ratio (%) - The total volatile solid matter (VOM) present in collectible manure per year, in kg/year, is calculated using equation **9**: $MUKM = MKM * UKM$ Where: * MUKM = Total amount of volatile solid matter in collectible manure, in kg/year. * MKM = Total amount of solid matter in collectible manure, in kg/year. * UKM = Volatile solid matter ratio (%) - The total annual amount of CH4, in m3/year, produced from the collectible manure is calculated using equation **10**: $MMETAN = MUKM * МО$ Where: * MMETAN = Total annual amount of CH4 produced, in m3/year. * MUKM = Total amount of volatile solid matter in collectible manure, in kg/year. * МО = Methane production per kg of volatile solid matter in m3 CH4/ kg of VOM. - The biogas generated contains approximately 60% methane. The energy equivalence of 1 Nm3 of this biogas is 22.7 MJ/Nm3 while the energy value of pure methane is 36 MJ/Nm3. The energy equivalent of the biogas is calculated using Equation **11**: $Q = MMETAN * ΗΜΕΤΑΝ$ Where: * Q = Energy equivalent of the produced biogas, in MJ/year. * MMETAN = Total annual amount of CH4 produced, in m3/year. * ΗΜΕΤΑΝ = Heating value of CH4, in MJ/m3 - The electrical energy potential of the biogas can be determined considering the efficiency of the generation systems using Equation **12**: $E = MMETAN * Ne * W$ Where: * E = Electrical energy generated using biogas, in MWhe/year. * MMETAN = Total annual amount of CH4 produced, in m3/year. * Ne = Electrical efficiency of biogas cogeneration system, typically 35-40% * W = Power input from CH4 per unit volume, 10 kWh/m3. ## 3. Results and Discussion The town of Sarıcakaya is located in the mountainous region between the Sündiken and Bolu Mountains in the northern part of Eskişehir province. It sits at an altitude of 50 meters and exhibits a distinctive microclimate, a combination of the Mediterranean and Marmara climates. The region experiences warm and dry summers and mild rainy winters with minimal snowfall. This climate supports a diverse range of plants and encourages the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. While a large portion of the area is suitable for growing vegetables and fruits, the region’s livestock development is relatively limited. The town’s total area is approximately 375 km2, making it the eighth largest district of Eskişehir. The 2021 livestock census revealed a population of 2,555 large animals, 11,182 small animals and 79,049 poultry. ### 3.1. Solar Energy Potential of Sarıcakaya The town's annual solar radiation is approximately 1,420 kWh/m2 according to the Solar Energy Potential Atlas (GEPA). - Peak solar radiation occurs in June and July, while the lowest occurs in November, December, and January. - The maximum daily sunshine duration in the district is 10.5 hours during July, and the minimum is 3 hours in January. - The average daily sunshine duration throughout the year is approximately 6.5 hours. - The chart depicting the monthly values for solar radiation and sunshine hours is as follows: > Monthly solar radiation and sunshine hours of the town. ### 3.2. Biogas Energy Potential of Sarıcakaya - The 2021 census revealed that 1,444 dairy cattle, 625 beef cattle, 19 native cattle, 467 calves, 7,334 sheep, 3,848 goats, 20 donkeys, 76,500 broiler chickens, 1,743 egg-laying hens, 480 turkeys, and 145 ducks and geese are in the district. - Each animal species produces a different amount of manure, and the manure collection rate varies. Large-scale operations can collect most of the waste from animals, but smaller farms are less likely to collect manure. - The average amount of manure produced by different animal species daily was gathered from the relevant literature and utilized in this study (Table 3). - The total collectible manure from all animals in the region is 34,711 tons/year. This is approximately 80% of the manure from cattle, 4% from sheep, and 4% from goats, making a significant contribution to the total collectible manure. The remaining 12% is primarily from poultry. - The amount of biogas generated from the collectible manure, in terms of CH4, was calculated using the methane production rate (MO) in Table 1. The total amount of CH4 produced from collectible manure was calculated as 1,109,951 m3 CH4/year. - The CH4 produced from manure can be converted to other energy sources using the equivalent energy values (Table 4): - The energy equivalent of the CH4 in terms of joules (J) is 39,958 GJ/year. - The energy equivalent in terms of TEP is 957 TEP/year. - The electrical energy equivalent is 3,884 MWhe/year. - The electrical energy produced using a 35% efficient generator from the biogas is approximately 3,885 MWhe/year. This amount of electricity is equivalent to 45.7% of the town’s total electricity consumption in 2021. - The figure depicting the schematic of a combined cycle power plant is as follows: > A combined cycle power plant. - The calculation of biogas and livestock waste did not account for residues from agricultural crops. ### 3.3. Proportion of Renewable Energy Produced in Sarıcakaya to the Total Electricity Consumption - Sarıcakaya's total electricity consumption in 2021 was approximately 8,500 MWh/year based on data from Zorlu Enerji Osmangazi Elektrik Dağıtım AŞ. - The town’s electricity consumption broken down by category is as follows (Table 5): > Total electricity consumption in the town for different sectors, including industrial, commercial, residential, agricultural, and lighting. - The contribution of solar and biogas energy sources to the total electricity consumption is shown below (Table 6): > Proportion of electricity generated from solar and biogas sources to the total electricity consumption in the town. - When combined, solar and biogas sources can generate enough electricity to meet 219.4% of the town’s total electricity needs. - The chart depicting the combined electricity output of solar and biogas sources for each sector is as follows: > Percentage of total electricity consumption met by solar and biogas sources in each sector. ### 3.4. Impact of Hybrid Renewable Energy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Sarıcakaya - The table below (Table 9) shows the average greenhouse gas emissions per GWh for various energy sources: > Average greenhouse gas emissions per GWh for different energy sources, including lignite, imported coal, domestic coal, fuel oil, natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, biomass (inorganic), hydroelectric, solar and wind. - When comparing the greenhouse gas emissions from various energy sources, solar contributes minimally towards greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a cleaner option than other energy sources, with hydroelectric and biomass energy coming second lowest. - To assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing electricity using various energy sources, the average greenhouse gas emissions (in tons-CO2/GWh) were calculated assuming the total electricity generated from each source (Table 10). > This table shows the estimated greenhouse gas emissions from producing electricity using different energy sources. - These emissions were calculated considering the town’s total electricity consumption if it were met using various energy sources, including lignite, imported coal, domestic coal, fuel oil, natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, solar, and wind. - The total annual CO2 emissions from solar energy sources are estimated at 429 tons-CO2/GWh. - The annual CO2 emissions from biogas energy sources are estimated at 101 tons-CO2/GWh. - The total annual CO2 emissions from the hybrid energy system are estimated at 530 tons-CO2/GWh. This is significantly lower than the CO2 emissions from producing the same amount of electricity using other sources: - Lignite: 23,222 tons-CO2/GWh - Imported coal and domestic coal: 19,481 tons-CO2/GWh - Fuel-oil : 15,988 tons-CO2/GWh - Natural gas: 10,715 tons-CO2/GWh - Nuclear : 957 tons-CO2/GWh - Geothermal : 326 tons-CO2/GWh ## 4. Conclusions and Recommendations The rising demand for energy is being driven by advancements in technology and increasing populations worldwide. Fossil fuels are currently the primary energy sources, but their limited availability and environmental impact necessitate exploring alternative options. - While nations with large fossil fuel reserves have an advantage, countries without such resources need to find alternative sources and strengthen their energy security. - The development of renewable energy projects, particularly solar and biogas, has become a vital solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable energy growth. - The potential for renewable energy sources is substantial in Turkey. The country’s diverse geographical and climatic conditions create opportunities for solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower. - The study highlights the significant potential for solar and biogas energy sources in Sarıcakaya. The district’s ample land area for solar panel installation, its greenhouse infrastructure, and substantial livestock population offer valuable resources for renewable energy generation. - A comparative analysis of biogas potential in Kahramanmaraş and Ereğli was presented, indicating that these regions have significant potential for renewable energy production. This calls for further exploration and investment. <start_of_image>- The research conducted on Sarıcakaya also underscores the need for a detailed analysis of the biogas potential within the district. It is crucial to examine the accessibility of animal waste and agricultural residues for biogas production and to assess the feasibility of implementing biogas and combined-cycle power plants. - Future studies could explore the practicality of integrating renewable energy into existing systems and developing new technologies tailored to the region's specific needs. - - The study recommends a comprehensive approach to implement renewable energy, incorporating technical feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses. - The most efficient and cost-effective methods for developing and implementing these technologies should be investigated. - The potential benefits of renewable energy, such as employment opportunities and environmental protection, should be communicated effectively. - Government and private sector involvement are crucial for effectively implementing renewable energy projects. Collaboration is key to promoting sustainable development and addressing future energy needs. - The district can utilize existing agricultural spaces for solar panel installation. - It has ample land for such purposes and this can be implemented through agricultural systems like agrivoltaics, allowing for renewable energy generation while also benefiting farmlands. - Expanding on the implementation of renewable energy sources can also contribute to the development of new industries in a region. - The use of biogas technology, coupled with combined cycle power plants, provides an effective solution for managing waste while ensuring electricity production. - The integration of renewable energy sources into the existing infrastructure can create new job opportunities and contribute to economic growth. - The government agencies should actively promote renewable energy sources and provide support in terms of financial incentives, technical guidance, and regulatory framework. - This will encourage private companies to participate and invest in renewable energy projects, ultimately benefiting the region and the country as a whole. - Public awareness about the benefits of renewable energy sources is crucial. Educational campaigns can encourage responsible use and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.