Theoretical potential of biogas production from agricultural biogas plants

Annotation: One of the ways to achieve a smaller dependence on imported fossil fuels is the production of biogas from animal waste and biomass. The aim of this paper is to determine the theoretical potential of biogas production from agricultural biogas plants in the Czech Republic and its regions. To meet this goal, a comparison of edge production capacity that is based on the full utilization of animal waste and the possibility of using "excess land" for selected commodities in crop production (wheat, barley, maize, canola, sunflower, potatoes) with sustaining of 105% self-sufficiency for period 2002 to 2015 is used. Theoretical potential for biogas production is further converted to the possibility of producing electricity and heat for individual regions. The potential for biogas production from animal wastes and crop production in the Czech Republic (2012) is on the level of 2,252.62 million m3. Among regions, highest potential is identified for Central Bohemia, South Moravia, Vysocina and South Bohemia. The least theoretical possibility of biogas production while maintaining 105% self-sufficiency and maximum utilization of animal waste have regions of Karlovy Vary and Liberec