Agricultural feedstock for solid and liquid biofuel production in Ukraine: Cluster analysis

Abstract

This study is focused on the cluster analysis of biofuel feedstock in Ukraine. In recent years, Ukraine has been facing energy issues. There was a drop in fossil fuel production. On other hand, there has been a rise in crop production. Therefore, one of Ukraine's priorities is to develop energy application using agricultural feedstocks. The cluster analysis was used to distinguish regions by their feedstock potential. Feedstocks for solid biofuel, bioethanol, and biodiesel were investigated. Promising groups of regions for biofuel production were identified. The results can be used to create autonomous power supply systems based on agricultural by-products (straw and husk). The corn belt selected showed promising bioethanol production.