The contribution of agricultural waste biomass energy production potential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its environmental impacts: The case of Şanlıurfa

Within the scope of this study, the biomass energy potential derived from agricultural residues in Şanlıurfa province was calculated, and its contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was analyzed. As of 2023, the total agricultural production in Şanlıurfa was determined to be 5,419,640 tons, resulting in a Theoretical Agricultural Biomass Potential (TABP) of 4,653,570 tons. From this biomass, approximately 77,831,140 GJ of Theoretical Energy Potential (TEP), 30,807,666 GJ of Usable Energy Potential (UEP), and 2,569,362 MWh of Electricity Equivalent (EEeq) are estimated to be obtainable. The use of biomass energy results in only 115,621 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions, whereas producing the same amount of energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas generates 2,281,591 tons, 1,883,340 tons, and 1,053,437 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions, respectively. Furthermore, open burning of these agricultural residues would cause emissions amounting to 12,084,379 tons of CO2 equivalent. It was determined that biomass energy production can prevent an average of 4,210,066 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions. When these emission reductions are evaluated in terms of environmental equivalences, the impact is comparable to planting approximately 63 million tree seedlings and growing them for 10 years, recycling 1.35 million tons of waste, or preventing the combustion of 1,936,630 tons of coal. The findings indicate that converting agricultural residues to energy in Şanlıurfa not only contributes to energy supply but also offers significant opportunities for environmental sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction.