ASSESSING THE TECHNICAL POTENTIAL OF AGRICULTURAL CROP RESIDUES AS A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE ACROSS LITHUANIAN DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the technical potential of agricultural crop residues as a renewable energy source across Lithuanian district municipalities and to develop a methodological framework for its evaluation. To achieve this aim, the study analyses methodologies employed in the scientific literature for assessing the potential of agricultural crop residues as a renewable energy resource and based on this analysis, develops a methodological framework applicable at the municipal level. The proposed methodology is subsequently used to estimate the technical potential of agricultural crop residues in all Lithuanian district municipalities. The empirical findings indicate that municipalities located in the central part of Lithuania possess the greatest opportunities to expand agricultural production while simultaneously strengthening their potential to become suppliers of renewable energy resources. The results show that 35 Lithuanian district municipalities, accounting for 68.6% of all municipalities included in the analysis, exhibit either high or moderate overall levels of technical potential for agricultural crop residues. These findings highlight significant spatial differences in the availability of agricultural residues and provide an evidence base for identifying municipalities with favourable conditions for the development of agricultural biomass as a renewable energy resource.