Production and availability of agricultural residues for energy in Latin America and Europe. learning from the Indian experience: Learning from the Indian experience.

International audienceThe presentation sinthesizes the main findings of a study conducted by the authors on agricultural residues and their availability in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe (EU-28). It starts by defining what agricultural residues are, either primary or secondary, and their characteristics for energy production. Then the methodology is explained, for the assessment of crop residue potentials, either gross, net or practical. On the basis of latest data available on agricultural production in 2013 (statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAOSTAT), potentials are cuantified and the difference between gross and practical potential is highlighted. A concrete example shows how primary residues availability is limited by costs and transportation needs. The experience of India is analyzed in terms of viability of its bioenergy projects with crop residues, highlighting important parameters such as the electricity purchase tariff as well as the differences between availability, feasibility and viability. The presentation concludes on perspectives for energy production from residues in LAC and EU