scholarly journals Environmental and Economic Assessments and Uncertainties of Multiple Lignocellulosic Biomass Utilization for Bioenergy Products: Case Studies

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6277
Author(s):  
Yuxi Wang ◽  
Jingxin Wang ◽  
Xufeng Zhang ◽  
Shawn Grushecky
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Pyrolysis Oil ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Pellet Production ◽  
Bio Oil ◽  
Stochastic Production

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) were applied to assess the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of utilizing multiple biomass feedstocks for bioenergy products under three different technological pathways with consideration of uncertainties. Three cases were studied for the production of pellets, biomass-based electricity, and pyrolysis bio-oil. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine the uncertainties of fossil energy consumption, bioenergy conversion efficiency, stochastic production rate, etc. The cradle-to-gate LCA results showed that pellet production had the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and fossil fuels consumption (8.29 kg CO2 eq (equivalent), 0.46 kg, and 105.42 MJ, respectively). The conversion process presented a greater environmental impact for all three bioenergy products. When producing 46,929 Mg of pellets, 223,380 MWh of electricity, and 78,000 barrels of pyrolysis oil, the net present values (NPV) indicated that only pellet and electricity production were profitable with NPVs of $1.20 million for pellets, and $5.59 million for biopower. Uncertainty analysis indicated that pellet production showed the highest uncertainty in GHG emission, and bio-oil production had the least uncertainty in GHG emission but had risks producing greater-than-normal amounts of GHG. Biopower production had the highest probability to be a profitable investment with 85.23%.

Steam Reforming of Biomass Pyrolysis Oil: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adewale George Adeniyi ◽  
Kevin Shegun Otoikhian ◽  
Joshua O. Ighalo
Keyword(s):  
Steam Reforming ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Process Variable ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Pyrolysis Oil ◽  
Biomass Pyrolysis ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Bio Oil ◽  
Economic Analyses

Abstract The steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis oil is a well-established means of producing the more useful bio-hydrogen. Bio-oil has a comparatively low heating value, incomplete volatility and acidity, hence upgrading to a more useful product is required. Over the years, the experimental conditions of the process have been studied extensively in the domain of catalysis and process variable optimisation. Sorption enhancement is now being applied to the system to improve the purity of the hydrogen stream. Lifecycle analyses has revealed that bio-hydrogen offers considerable reductions in energy consumption compared to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. Also, green-house-gas savings from the process can also be as high as 54.5 %. Unfortunately, techno-economic analyses have elucidated that bio-hydrogen production is still hampered by high production costs. Research endeavours in steam reforming of biomass bio-oil is done with an eye for developing added value products that can complement, substitute (and one day replace) fossil fuels whilst ameliorating the global warming menace.

Life Cycle Assessment of Modern Wind Power Plants

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes M. Hapke ◽  
Karl R. Haapala ◽  
Zhaohui Wu ◽  
Ted K. A. Brekken
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Wind Power Plants

Power generation for the existing electrical grid is largely based on the combustion of fossil fuels. Global concerns have been raised regarding the environmental sustainability of the system due to life cycle impacts, including land losses from fuel extraction and impacts of combustion emissions. An approach to reduce carbon emissions of fossil fuel-based energy employs the conversion of wind energy to electrical energy. The work presented describes modern wind power plants and provides an environmental assessment of a representative wind park from a life cycle perspective. The empirical analysis uses commercially available data, as well as information from an existing wind power plant. The life cycle assessment (LCA) study for a modern wind farm in the northwestern U.S. found that environmental benefits of avoiding typical electricity production greatly outweigh the impacts due to wind turbine construction and maintenance. Effects of component reliability, varying capacity factors, and energy portfolio are explored.

scholarly journals Upgrading of Oils from Biomass and Waste: Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Mai Attia ◽  
Sherif Farag ◽  
Jamal Chaouki
Keyword(s):  
Microwave Heating ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Coke Formation ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
High Oxygen ◽  
Conventional Heating ◽  
Pyrolysis Oil ◽  
High Oxygen Content ◽  
Bio Oil

The continuous demand for fossil fuels has directed significant attention to developing new fuel sources to replace nonrenewable fossil fuels. Biomass and waste are suitable resources to produce proper alternative fuels instead of nonrenewable fuels. Upgrading bio-oil produced from biomass and waste pyrolysis is essential to be used as an alternative to nonrenewable fuel. The high oxygen content in the biomass and waste pyrolysis oil creates several undesirable properties in the oil, such as low energy density, instability that leads to polymerization, high viscosity, and corrosion on contact surfaces during storage and transportation. Therefore, various upgrading techniques have been developed for bio-oil upgrading, and several are introduced herein, with a focus on the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) technique. Different oxygenated compounds were collected in this review, and the main issue caused by the high oxygen contents is discussed. Different groups of catalysts that have been applied in the literature for the HDO are presented. The HDO of various lignin-derived oxygenates and carbohydrate-derived oxygenates from the literature is summarized, and their mechanisms are presented. The catalyst’s deactivation and coke formation are discussed, and the techno-economic analysis of HDO is summarized. A promising technique for the HDO process using the microwave heating technique is proposed. A comparison between microwave heating versus conventional heating shows the benefits of applying the microwave heating technique. Finally, how the microwave can work to enhance the HDO process is presented.

Impact of renewable energy deployment on climate change in Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Udochukwu B. Akuru ◽  
Ogbonnaya I. Okoro ◽  
Edward Chikuni
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Industrial Growth ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

It is well known fact that the rate of industrial growth of any country is a function of the amount of energy available in that country and the extent to which this energy is utilized. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is a dirty process. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result when fossil fuels are produced and consumed and these emissions contribute to climate change. Nigeria as a country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because its economy is mainly dependent on income generated from the production, processing, export and/or consumption of fossil fuels and its associated energy-intensive products. Hence, it is on this premise that this paper is researched to review the energy sources being used in Nigeria and investigate its impact to climate change. Findings reveal Nigeria’s over-dependence on fossil-generated energy with associated adverse environmental effects, among other things. Recommendations for the integration of renewable energy into Nigeria’s energy mix, beyond other measures, have been offered, especially with reference to the salient environmental benefits that accrue to it.

Technical and Economic Feasibility of a 5 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant on Kauai, Hawaii

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth K. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Capital Costs

This study presents the results of an initial assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of a 5 megawatts (MW) net Solar Electric Photovoltaic (PV) power plant on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii. It analyzes three potential PV based designs of the solar power plant — single-axis tracking flat plate, fixed flat plate, and two-axis tracking concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) based on the solar insolation on Kauai. Greenhouse gas (GHG) avoided, energy production projection, capital costs, operation & maintenance (O&M) costs, and the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of each PV design is developed for comparison. Regardless of the PV technology, the following factors may position solar PV power plant as a competitive alternative to conventional fossil-powered power plant: • Recent technology advances have occurred in concentrating solar collectors increasing overall efficiency; • Use of renewable energy can lead to reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; • Fossil fuels (e.g. natural gas and oil) retail prices are near record highs, increasing electricity rates. The assessment results show that single-axis tracking flat plate PV system are best suited for sites in Kauai as they accommodate the intermittent cloud cover of the region while following the sun from dawn until dusk as it crosses the sky.

scholarly journals Low emission vehicle integration: Will National Grid electricity generation mix meet UK net zero?

2021 ◽  
pp. 095765092110154
Author(s):  
Kathryn G. Logan ◽  
John D. Nelson ◽  
Astley  Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Vehicle Type ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
The Uk

Assessing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced from electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles (HVs) requires understanding of the carbon intensity of electricity generation. Without the decarbonisation of electricity generation, environmental benefits of low emission vehicles (LEVs) will be diminished. The UK aims to produce net zero emissions by phasing out and banning the sale of new conventionally fuelled vehicles (CFVs) by 2035 in favour of LEVs. A comparison of the UK’s planned and future electricity production systems between 2020 and 2050 was conducted to analyse different vehicle-type mix scenarios: (1) 100% CFVs, (2 A/B) 100% EVs/HVs, (3 A/B) EVs/HVs integrated from 2035 and (4 A/B) EVs/HVs integrated from 2025 onward. This was conducted using four energy scenarios from the UK National Grid: two degrees, steady progression, consumer evolution and community renewables. This study does not consider the embedded carbon costs of the construction and decommissioning of vehicles. Results demonstrated that while the four electricity generation scenarios reduce the projected emissions they fail to achieve low emission targets. The two degree scenario produced the lowest level of emissions under each vehicle-type mix scenario. Technological improvements of CFVs are not enough to meet targets. Therefore, phasing out and banning the sale of new CFVs from 2025 (rather than 2035) would provide a stronger impetus to reduce transport emissions. Although these targets are possible, encouraging a change in transport modes from individual travel to public transport whilst simultaneously replacing buses and trains with electric or hydrogen alternatives would see a greater emission decrease.

scholarly journals Large-scale deployment of in-rotation grass cultivation as a multifunctional soil climate mitigation strategy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oskar Englund ◽  
Blas Mola-Yudego ◽  
Pål Börjesson ◽  
Göran Berndes ◽  
Christel Cederberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions

The agricultural sector can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and sequestering atmospheric carbon in vegetation and soils, and by providing biomass for substituting fossil fuels and other GHG intensive products in the energy, industry and transport sectors. New policies at EU level provide incentives for more sustainable land use practices, for example, cultivation systems using perennial plants that provide biomass for food, bioenergy and other biobased products along with land carbon sequestration and other environmental benefits. Based on spatial modelling across more than 81,000 landscapes in Europe, we find that introduction of grass-clover leys into rotations with annual crops could result in soil organic carbon sequestration corresponding to 5-10% of total current GHG emissions from agriculture in EU27+UK, annually until 2050. The combined annual GHG savings from soil carbon sequestration and use of biogas produced in connection to grass-based biorefineries equals 13-48% of current GHG emissions from agriculture. The assessed environmental co-benefits (reduced wind and water erosion, reduced nitrogen emissions to water, and mitigation of impacts associated with flooding) are considerable. Besides policy instruments, new markets for grass biomass, e.g., as feedstock for producing biofuels and protein concentrate, can incentivize widespread deployment of in-rotation grass cultivation.

scholarly journals Environmental Impact of Solar Home Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9708
Author(s):  
Fernando Antonanzas-Torres ◽  
Javier Antonanzas ◽  
Julio Blanco-Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Battery Lifetime ◽  
User Training ◽  
Diesel Generators ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Home Systems

Solar home systems (SHS) represent one of the most promising technologies for a rapid and independent electrification in those areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) without access to electricity. This study addressed the environmental impact of SHS in SSA through updated life cycle inventories and five impact categories: greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, fossil fuels, metal and water depletion and human toxicity. Sixteen scenarios were considered, including manufacturing, transportation, recycling and user-related variables, such as the installation site, adequacy of SHS user operation and battery lifespan. The results showed that lead-acid batteries were the largest contributor to environmental impact among the SHS components, accounting for up to 36–76% of the environmental impact indicators. Apart from the components, user training for SHS operation, with the goal of maximizing usable energy and battery lifetime, proved to be critical to achieve improvements in the energy payback time and GHG emissions, which (under scenarios of high solar resources) can reach the range of 5.3–7.1 years and 0.14–0.18 kgCO2 eq/kWh, respectively. In addition, SHS GHG emission factors were benchmarked with those of other electrification approaches, such as national grids, 100% PV and hybrid PV-diesel off-grid mini grids and off-grid diesel generators. SHS achieved GHG emission factor values equivalent to PV-based mini grids in most scenarios and was strikingly lower compared to SSA national grids and diesel generators.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Wood Pellet Production in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyarath Saosee ◽  
Boonrod Sajjakulnukit ◽  
Shabbir Gheewala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Wood Pellets ◽  
Wood Pellet ◽  
Pellet Production ◽  
Production Processes

Thailand has increased wood pellet production for export and domestic use. The variations in production processes, raw materials, and transportation related to wood pellet production make it necessary to evaluate the environmental impacts assessment. The objective of this study was to compare via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), eight different cases of wood pellet production varying in terms of raw materials, production processes, energy use, and the format of transportation and to compare LCA of electricity production from wood pellets and fossil fuels. The comparison results show that leucaena is better as a feedstock for wood pellet production than acacia due to shorter harvest cycle and lesser use of resources. Pellet production consumes the most energy contributing significantly to the environmental impacts. The use of fossil fuels in wood pellet production and transportation also has a major contribution to the environmental impacts. Using wood pellets for electricity production is better than lignite in terms of human health, ecosystem quality and resource scarcity. Recommendations from this study include increasing yield of feedstock plants, shortening harvest cycle, reducing overuse of fertilizers and herbicides, pollution control, reducing fossil fuel use in the supply chain, good logistics, feedstock access, and offering incentives considering the externality cost.

scholarly journals Sustainable Carbon Management Practices (CMP) - A Way Forward in Reducing CO2 Flux

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biswabara Sahu ◽  
Snigdha Chatterjee ◽  
Ruby Patel
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Co2 Flux ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Carbon Management

Asian agriculture sector contributes about 44% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Predominantly paddy rice cultivation couples with indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, burning of fossil fuels in farm machinery majorly causes GHG emissions from farmlands in Asia. Presently, Asian soils have 25% cropland soil organic carbon (SOC) content but with moderately to highly vulnerability towards land degradation. To make up the soil carbon losses which has occurred due to continuous cultivation and tillage, it is recommended to adopt suitable carbon management practices to sequester carbon in soil through their physio-chemical protection. Conservation agriculture (CA), cover crop, crop diversification, integrated nutrient management (INM) and balanced fertilisation promotes better soil structure formation, stabilisation of aggregate associated carbon, microbial polymerisation of organic matter as well as a better root architecture. Carbon management practices not only improve soil fertility but also supports improved grain and straw yield. More the yield more biomass addition occurs to the soil. Soil carbon sequestration may not be the only panacea of climate change related issues, but is certainly a way forward to enriched soil fertility, improved agronomic production as well as adaptive- mitigation for offsetting anthropogenic GHG emission.

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