Phythomas to bioenergy: a promising way to utilize different effluents for sustainable energy production

Importance in energy production from biomass can be increased by measuring other environmental and social benefits, which are not always assessed in common cost–benefit analysis. These are the reduction of greenhouse gas emission due to the fact that less CO₂ is emitted in biomass combustion than is absorbed by the plant through photosynthesis, (Lewandowski et al., 1995); the replacement of excess food crops with alternative non-food species that may represent a new opportunity for the population of rural areas (McKendry, 2002); the self-production of energy in the farms and forest companies; and the reduction of soil degradation, preventing marginal land abandonment by growing energy crops. It is necessary to develop sustainable energy supply systems that aims to address the energy demand from renewable sources using wastewater streams. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy production is of rising importance. Biogas production is a key technology for the sustainable use of biomass as a renewable energy source. High energy yields per hectare can be achieved through biogas production. The overall objective of the study is to examine the effects of abattoir and municipal wastewater irrigation on different energy crops. The specific objectives of the study include: To quantify the biomass produced from energy crops irrigated with water resources of two irrigation rates (Abattoir wastewater and municipal wastewater); To determine the methane production of the experimental species. (author)