The Potential of Bioethanol from Agricultural Crop Residues: A Case Study of Algeria

Due to the ever-increasing energy demand, Algeria’s sustainable energy crisis is a significant problem. Plant and crop residues can be a solution to this problem if they are used for bioethanol production, a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This study explores the potential of existing agricultural crop residues to overcome the sustainable energy crisis in Algeria. Agricultural residues such as cereals, roots and tubers, pulses, oil crops, vegetables, and fruits have great potential to solve the problem. The agricultural residues that are normally wasted can be utilized to produce bioethanol, which provides sustainable energy and also help to obtain a clean environment. It has been found that 1.65 million tons of bioethanol can be produced from Algeria’s available residues, which is equivalent to 44.10 petajoule of energy. Cereal and fruit residues contribute to most bioethanol generation, about 47.22% and 23.38%, respectively. In addition, bioethanol generated from residue can be used in Algeria’s transportation sector. Considering Algeria’s current energy condition, gasoline blended with ethanol such as E10 and E5 can be used in Algerian vehicles since no modification of vehicles is needed for utilizing these fuels. Research indicates that lignocellulosic biomass sources in Algeria, such as Alfa, olive pomace, and cereal straw, could provide up to 0.67 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe), representing approximately 4.37% of the energy consumption of the transport sector in Algeria. Algeria has the potential to produce up to 73.5 Mtoe and 57.9 Mtoe of renewable energy utilizing the energy crops. This study will also encourage relevant policymakers to develop sustainable energy policies that will enhance the renewable energy share in Algerian energy dynamics.