Methodology for the formation of bioenergy clusters in the context of the transformation of the Ukrainian energy system

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the need to strengthen Ukraine's energy security, diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the face of military challenges and the transformation of the energy sector. The significant potential of biomass, in particular agricultural waste, creates the prerequisites for the development of bioenergy and the formation of energy clusters at the regional level. The purpose of the article is to study the theoretical and methodological principles of the formation of energy clusters and the most complete use of the bioenergy potential of the agricultural sector based on the assessment of the possibilities of the integrated use of bioresources. The work uses methods of economic analysis, statistical grouping, cluster analysis, comparative assessment and forecasting. Methods for assessing the bioenergy potential of various energy crops, agricultural waste, as well as the Euclidean classification of regions of Ukraine were applied in order to form bioenergy clusters. The energy potential of biomass was calculated by regions of Ukraine, the level of possible substitution of natural gas was determined and the regions were classified according to the similarity of the structure of bioenergy resources. The results of the study showed that the total economic energy potential of biomass in agricultural enterprises in Ukraine exceeds the volumes of current natural gas consumption. The highest potential for replacing traditional energy resources is characteristic of Zhytomyr, Volyn, Vinnytsia, Rivne and Sumy regions. Based on the cluster analysis, three energy clusters were formed, taking into account the regional characteristics of the resource base and the possibilities for the development of distributed energy systems. It has been proven that the effective use of agricultural waste, primarily straw, will contribute to the development of local energy systems, increasing the energy independence of communities and decarbonization of the economy. Prospects for further research are related to the development of digital models for managing energy clusters, the integration of smart grid and microgrid technologies, as well as the assessment of the economic efficiency and environmental consequences of the functioning of bioenergy clusters in the conditions of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.