The Use of the Local and Regional Potential in Building Energy Independence—Polish and Ukraine Case Study

Abstract

Biogas production in Poland and Ukraine seems to be a good way to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy self-sufficiency by supplementing conventional energy sources. The aim of the research was to assess the potential of biogas production and the possibility of increasing it at the regional level of both studied countries and was conducted in 2018. The study included an analysis of seasonal heat demand, and the results showed biogas heat surpluses and shortages in each region. The financial side of the investment discussed using the example of the selected administrative unit showed that the construction costs of the biogas plant would be paid back after 7~9 years. The presented results also showed that Polish regions have much higher variation of biogas production potential (0.14~1.09 billion m3) than Ukrainian regions (0.09~0.3 billion m3). The analysis of the possibilities of increasing the potential based on the cultivation of maize in wastelands showed that in this respect, the Ukrainian regions have better opportunities compared to Polish regions. In the case of 20 regions, the maximum use of the potential of biogas should result in an increase in the share of renewable sources in the energy mix to above the level of 25%. Poland and Ukraine have comparable biogas production potentials of ~10 billion m3 annually, which results in a comparable number of biogas plants needed to consume that potential as well as the number of new jobs. The above analyses were also carried out at the LAU level (powiats and raions) where the potential of regional cooperation for four border regions is discussed.