Key Words: Bioenergy; sustainability index; Bulgarian bioenergy production; information system.
Abstract. The sustainable production of bioenergy (including bioelectricity and solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels) is an important factor in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Bioenergy sustainability is determined by international and national standards and certification schemes. In addition, bioenergy sustainability assessment may consider other environmental, economic, and social indicators, such as the existence of circular production, wages, company profits, social benefits, etc. In the present work, research and analysis of the sustainability of Bulgarian bioenergy production are carried out. For this purpose, a research methodology is developed, including the formulation of an index of bioenergy production sustainability; collection of data on Bulgarian bioenergy-producing firms; and calculation and analysis of the sustainability index using a prototype information system and database for data storage and querying. Due to the relatively complete data available, the analysis was conducted for 148 firms in 2022. The firms are ranked according to their sustainability index values, and an analysis is provided based on their type of production and raw materials, availability of certificates, etc. Overall, the results of the analysis indicate insufficient sustainability of bioenergy production and the need to develop and implement national standards and certification schemes corresponding to European and international ones. It was found that accurate and reliable data are not available for a large number of firms in the bioenergy sector. One of the reasons is the high dynamics of this relatively new industrial sector, including the frequent opening, closing, and re-registration of firms; another is untimely reporting. The present research and analysis constitute a first attempt to investigate the sustainability of Bulgarian bioenergy production. As a next step, an extended analysis of bioenergy sustainability over a period of several years is planned, including a georeferenced digital map of Bulgarian bioenergy producers.
