Spatial distribution of biogas potential, utilization ratio and development potential of biogas from agricultural waste in China

Biogas will be frequently utilized as a clean and renewable energy source in China's rural areas in the future because of the abundant agricultural waste produced in this country. Thus, the actual utilization ratio and development potential of biogas from agricultural waste must be immediately determined. In this study, the theoretical biogas potential from agricultural waste (BPAW) was calculated, and the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the theoretical potential and utilization ratio of biogas from agricultural waste (URBAW) in China from 2008 to 2017 were examined via geographical information system (GIS) spatial analysis. The correlation between actual biogas production in rural areas and its influencing factors was also analyzed. Finally, the development potential of biogas from agricultural waste in China in 2017 was assessed using principal component analysis. Results indicated that crop straw and livestock excreta, which accounted for over 97% of total BPAW, were the major resources for biogas potential from agricultural waste in China in 2008-2017. The results also showed evident hot spots distributed in South and Southwest China and cold spots distributed in North and Northeast China of the URBAW from 2008 to 2017. Moreover, the assessment result demonstrated uneven distribution of the development potential of biogas from agricultural waste in China in 2017. The highest assessment value of the development potential of biogas from agricultural waste was 0.78 in Shandong, followed by 0.75 in Henan, and the lowest was 0 in Shanghai. Recommendations for developing biogas from agricultural waste in China were provided. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.