Assessment of crop residue potential for power generation using geographical information system

Abstract

Punjab being a major agricultural state of India produces main crops such as paddy, wheat, pulses, barley, cotton, maize, arhar, mustard, rapeseed, sesamum, sugarcane and ground nut. Presently about half of the crop residue is being utilized for local needs like food for animals, home fuel and thatching materials. Remaining crop residue is being burnt in the field causing national energy loss, environment pollution and decreasing the land fertility. The annual production of total crop residue is 29.46 MT and total unused crop residue as 14.53 MT. Main hurdle for the conversion of crop residue into cleaner energy is its wide spatial distribution across the state. In this paper nature of crop residue, its availability and corresponding energy potential was carried out using geographical information system (GIS) in Punjab.