Multicriteria GIS-based assessment of biomass energy potentials in Nigeria

M O Ukoba; E O Diemuodeke; T A Briggs; M M Ojapah; K E Okedu; K Owebor; K Akhtar; C Ilhami

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1329878

Multicriteria GIS-based assessment of biomass energy potentials in Nigeria

Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2024 Mar 19:12:1329878. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1329878. eCollection 2024.

Authors

M O Ukoba¹, E O Diemuodeke¹, T A Briggs¹, M M Ojapah¹, K E Okedu^{2

3}, K Owebor^{1

4}, K Akhtar², C Ilhami³

Affiliations

¹ Energy and Thermofluids Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
² Smart Energy Research Unit, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Science, Istinye University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta, Nigeria.

Abstract

The understanding of the geographical variability of biomass energy is an essential requirement for the optimal location of biomass energy conversion plants. This research presents a multicriteria GIS-based assessment of biomass energy potentials and the appropriate siting of biomass plants in Nigeria. The study applies the weighted overlay multicriteria decision analysis method. Crop and forest areas, settlement (energy supply areas), shrub/grasslands, barren land, water bodies, distance from water sources, road accessibility, topography, and aspect are the criteria that were considered for locating a biomass facility in this study. The results suggest that the theoretical, technical, and economical energy potentials of crop residues are highest in the North-East region of Nigeria and estimated at 1,163.32, 399.73, and 110.56 PJ/yr, respectively, and lowest in the South-East at 52.36, 17.99, and 4.98 PJ/yr, respectively. The theoretical, technical, and economical energy potentials of forest residues are highest in the North-West, estimated at 260.18, 156.11, and 43.18 PJ/yr, respectively, and lowest in the South-East at 1.79, 1.08, and 0.30 PJ/yr, respectively. Although most areas were identified to be suitable for siting biomass plants across Nigeria, the most suitable areas are located in the northern part of the country and include Niger, Zamfara, the Federal Capital Territory, Nassarawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Borno State. The study supports the Nigerian bio-energy policy that proposes to effectively utilize Nigeria's non-fuelwood as a substitute for the felling of trees. This is very important to strengthen its commitment at the COP26 International Climate Conference, which is to conserve and restore its forest. Furthermore, this study will serve as a good reference for policymakers to make well-informed decisions on tackling the energy insecurity in Nigeria.

Keywords: GIS technology; biomass resources; carbon neutrality; clean energy; optimal biomass plant location; residues.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.