Energy potential of agricultural residual biomass in municipalities of the highlands of the Santurbán Páramo, Colombia

Colombian high-Andean rural communities face significant limitations in accessing clean thermal energy sources, which perpetuates the use of firewood and fossil fuels, with negative consequences for both human health and the environment. In this context, agricultural residual biomass represents a renewable alternative with theoretical potential for decentralized energy generation in mountainous territories. This study assessed the availability and theoretical energy potential (TEP) of agricultural residues produced by dominant crops in three municipalities located within the area of influence of the Santurbán Páramo (Tona, Silos, and Pamplona). A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining secondary data from the Information System for Rural Agricultural Planning (SIPRA) with structured surveys conducted among local farmers. The TEP was estimated using a technical model that integrates the cultivated area, yield, residue factor (RF), dry matter fraction (DMF), and lower heating value (LHV). Potato and scallion residues were found to be the most significant in terms of volume and energy content. Silos showed the highest TEP (up to 208 TJ/year), followed by Tona, which showed notably high values associated with scallion residues. Among the residues, potato leaves and stalks showed the greatest energy potential, while discarded scallion bulbs were the most significant component of that crop. Variation in TEP across different bibliographic sources highlight the need to standardize technical parameters. Despite the identified potential, several technical, organizational, and technological barriers persist. The findings provide a foundation for designing decentralized biomass-to-energy conversion solutions and informing public policy on rural bioenergy planning in high-Andean contexts.