EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF BIOMASS USE IN ALBANIA

Biomass is a natural, renewable material derived from agricultural, forestry, and household residues, capable of generating low-cost or no-cost renewable energy.This study assessed the use of biomass from nickel hyperaccumulator plants and explored the potential of biomass generated from fruit trees, olive trees, citrus and grapevines for bioenergy production in Albania.Agromining is a technology designed to recover metals from soils through the cultivation of hyperaccumulator plants.In Albania, Odontarrhena calchidica can be cultivated across 11% of the country, with potential yields exceeding 150 kg of Ni per hectare.Ashing offers additional benefits, as the resulting ash acts as a bio-ore containing 15 % Ni, while the energy produced during the burning process can be recovered and utilized.Furthermore, agricultural data on the production of fruit trees, olives, citrus, and grapes in Albania were collected.Agricultural production in the country is increasing year by year, leading to the generation of substantial residues, which could produce approximately 4,229,394 GJ, or 101,017.3tons of oil equivalent (toe), 1,174.83GWh of bioenergy through the processing and pruning of biomass from fruit trees, olive trees, citrus trees, and grapes.Therefore, Albania has significant potential to expand biomass utilization from various sources.