Determination of Biogas Energy Potential of Aegean Region Based on Animal Waste

Biogas is one the promising sustainable energy options due to high availability of organic wastes. Turkey is an energy importer country and diversification of the energy production with indigenous resources is vital for energy security. In Turkey, agricultural activities and livestock farming have important economic value. Biogas production from anaerobic digestion of organic wastes such as livestock manure is of great importance for renewable energy production and waste management for health and environmental protection. In this study, the animal manure based biogas potential, energy value, greenhouse gas emission reduction potential and organic fertilizer generation capacity of the Aegean Region of Turkey were determined. The region is composed of eight provinces including Afyonkarahisar, Aydın, Denizli, İzmir, Manisa, Muğla, Kütahya, and Uşak. The results revealed that Aegean Region has 528 million m3/year biogas potential corresponding to 2.64 TWh energy generation capacity. In addition, 0.6 million ton/year of organic fertilizer can be produced as the residual of the biogas plants. Utilization of animal wastes in biogas generation plants can contribute to the global climate change combat by reducing CO2 emissions about 4.6 million tons/year. Within the Aegean Region, Manisa has shown the highest biogas potential whereas İzmir has the highest amount of organic fertilizer production potential.