The Raw Material Base of Bio-Waste from Processing as an Opportunity for the Development of the Biogas Sector in Poland

Abstract

Given the current geopolitical situation, as well as ongoing climate change, immediate action is imperative to develop sustainable energy production capacities and circular bioeconomy chains. The biogas sector, including 3rd generation biogas plants, can respond to intensive development pace ensuring sustainable energy production with lower carbon footprint.  This is true for Poland, which has a highly developed agricultural and food production sector but a limited number of biogas plants and no biomethane production facilities. In this study, our objective is to support evidence-based policy advice by providing spatial analysis of bio-waste production potential in Poland. For this purpose, data was extracted from the so-called Waste Database (Polish: Baza Danych o Odpadach - BDO) and presented on district (powiat) level. Spatial and Geographical Information System (GIS) was applied to allocate waste resource potential for Poland related to national and regional development of biogas sector in the country. Thus the functioning of a system for the registration of waste data, including bio-waste from processing, is an outcome to demonstrate available resource availability per each manufacturing sector. Results indicate that Poland does have a quantitative and qualitative bio-waste potential for biogas production. Most of the bio-waste is not treated in the districts where it is generated. Having knowledge of the geographical distribution of the feedstock supply and demand, together with the use of other substrates, we can provide valuable information for the development of the biogas sector at regional and national level.