Straw potential for energy purposes in Poland and optimal allocation to major co-firing power plants

Agricultural waste and especially straw can provide a significant share of biomass energy. However, due to the nature of agricultural production, the need for carbon sequestration in soils and other aspects of food production, only part of straw potential may be treated as waste and spent on energy production. Based on statistical data from Polish Central Statistical Office (CSU) was modelled on a scale of local districts (NUTS-5) the actual production of straw, the needs of its local use and the possibility of redistribution of excessive quantities to regions with a deficit of straw. As a result the straw surplus that could be used in the energy sector was obtained along with its geographical distribution. Next a cost-minimizing transport model is used to optimise straw allocation among main power plants all over the country taking into account capacities and technical constraints of co-firing biomass with coal. Results are detailed at the municipal level indicating excess capacity for biomass co-firing by plant and region to be satisfied by additional biomass sources such as biomass from forest or energy plantations.