Assessment of the potential for the use of local waste biomass from selected Polish golf courses in the process of anaerobic digestion
Ocena możliwości wykorzystania lokalnej biomasy odpadowej z wybranych polskich pól golfowych w procesie fermentacji beztlenowej
Łukasz Sobol, Arkadiusz Dyjakon
Streszczenie
Mowing grass surfaces is the most energy-consuming activity in the maintenance of golf courses, contributing to
GHG emissions. Additionally, as a result of the need to maintain the height of the turf at an appropriate level, a significant
amount of biomass residues is generated, which requires proper disposal. The goal of this work concerns the determination of
biomass residues resources (grass clippings), obtained after mowing of the six selected golf courses in Poland. Based on own
research, the selected golf course was characterized in terms of the area, frequency of mowing as well as management strategy
and disposal of mowing residues. Based on the indicators obtained from the literature review, the biomass potential was
determined, which was equal to 77.96 MgDM∙year^-1 (± 5.51 MgDM∙year^-1) to 150.97 MgDM∙year^-1 (± 6.25 MgDM∙year^-1)
depending on the golf course. The obtained results and performed calculations indicated that the existing resources allow for
the construction of microbiogas plants, fed by grass clippings with the electric power of 9.56 kW to 18.51 kW, which would
allow for the production of electricity in the amount of 76.19 MWh∙year^-1 to 147.55 MWh∙year^-1 and heat in the amount of
237.36 GJ∙year^-1 - 459.67 GJ∙year^-1. In addition, it was shown that the production of electricity and heat exceeds the energy
input for mowing golf courses, making a positive energy balance of the process.
GHG emissions. Additionally, as a result of the need to maintain the height of the turf at an appropriate level, a significant
amount of biomass residues is generated, which requires proper disposal. The goal of this work concerns the determination of
biomass residues resources (grass clippings), obtained after mowing of the six selected golf courses in Poland. Based on own
research, the selected golf course was characterized in terms of the area, frequency of mowing as well as management strategy
and disposal of mowing residues. Based on the indicators obtained from the literature review, the biomass potential was
determined, which was equal to 77.96 MgDM∙year^-1 (± 5.51 MgDM∙year^-1) to 150.97 MgDM∙year^-1 (± 6.25 MgDM∙year^-1)
depending on the golf course. The obtained results and performed calculations indicated that the existing resources allow for
the construction of microbiogas plants, fed by grass clippings with the electric power of 9.56 kW to 18.51 kW, which would
allow for the production of electricity in the amount of 76.19 MWh∙year^-1 to 147.55 MWh∙year^-1 and heat in the amount of
237.36 GJ∙year^-1 - 459.67 GJ∙year^-1. In addition, it was shown that the production of electricity and heat exceeds the energy
input for mowing golf courses, making a positive energy balance of the process.