Energy generation potentials from agricultural residues: The influence of techno-spatial restrictions on biomethane, electricity, and heat production

• Comprehensive GIS approach for spatial assessment of agricultural biogas production. Biogas production potentials are strongly influenced by considered criteria. Foresighted planning could improve heat utilization from plants. Greenhouse gas emissions biomass transport negligible compared to benefits. Agricultural is subject various restrictions including legislation, availability, transport, and the distribution final energy products. This study introduces a geographic information system (GIS)-based comprehensive techno-spatial above-mentioned factors, which was tested Switzerland. First, criteria were identified based on an extensive literature review that complemented expert knowledge. Then, quantitative GIS-based methods developed identify suitable areas Finally, location- allocation algorithm used estimate national biogas, electricity, heat, biomethane assess relevance greenhouse (GHG) transport. Maximum found be in order 6.3, 8.5, 13.8 PJ per year, respectively. Heat injection often limited proximity settlements. Furthermore, varied depending legal, economic, technological factors. Particularly excess combined power (CHP) plants react very sensitive altering constraints due its dependency local demand. Resulting 0.5–0.8 kg CO2-eq gigajoule produced benefits The modeling results therefore suggest attention should rather concentrated utilization, plant efficiency, optimal when aiming optimize GHG efficiency. Overall, findings support strategic practitioners authorities future development Moreover, presented methodology can transferred different contexts.