Assessing the potential of olive residues for energy valorization in Western Andalusia

Abstract

Utilisation of waste biomass is crucial for tackling the current energy crises and meeting the different targets set for it, from a global to a regional level, as highlighted in the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development. To achieve these goals, proposals must be established to enable the use of local waste biomass as a source of clean and sustainable energy. Another key aspect of this transition includes the recent commitment to green hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a compound that has already been used in industry for decades (e.g., refineries), which guarantees i) the existence of a current demand and ii) a know-how that guarantees a certain degree of confidence for the large-scale use of this vector. To unify both aspects, this work addresses the analysis and quantification of agricultural residues, specifically from olive industry, and its possible potential to produce green hydrogen in Western Andalusia. Therefore, this study helps providing the basis for the implementation of a roadmap for the decarbonisation of the selected area using local biomass sources. The results obtained show that hydrogen generation can reach a peak of up to 592.2 tonnes in the month of January from biomass waste from the olive industry, highlighting the great potential of this residues in Western Andalusia and providing a new perspective for the future development of bioenergy in the region.