IDENTIFYING OPTIMAL BIOGAS PLANT INSTALLATION IN EASTERN ANATOLIA REGION USING CLUSTERING TECHNIQUES

The increasing depletion of fossil fuels and their contribution to environmental issues have prompted energy managers and planners to shift their focus toward renewable energy sources to meet energy demands. Biogas produced through anaerobic digestion or fermentation of organic materials, stands out as a key energy source for converting agricultural, animal, industrial, and municipal waste into usable energy. This renewable energy is applied across various domains, including heating, transportation, and electricity generation. Biogas plants are crucial in efficiently processing agricultural, industrial, and urban waste. Therefore, optimizing the location and capacity of biogas plants during their installation is essential to maximize their efficiency and potential. In this study, to determine the biogas plant installation with the most suitable location and capacity according to the 2021 data of the Eastern Anatolia Region, firstly, the number of cattle, sheep, and poultry raised in the provinces and districts of the region, the amount of biogas produced accordingly, and the latitude and longitude values of the relevant settlement were achieved. The collected data were evaluated with the K-means clustering method, and the most suitable location for the biogas plant installation was found together with the production capacity. The results obtained from this study are anticipated to guide researchers operating in the relevant field and pave the way for similar studies