Assessing Bioenergy Potentials in Rural Landscapes: A Holistic Approach
This study focuses on assessing bioenergy potentials in rural landscapes to address climate change challenges and depletion of fossil fuel reserves. By developing a holistic approach, the research aims to consider various factors impacting bioenergy potential under an SEA framework. Exploring alternative methods like NEG/EROEI and studying crop residues, farm manure, and natural grasslands in rural areas provide insights into sustainable bioenergy production.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Assessing Bioenergy Potentials in Rural Landscapes Oludunsin Tunrayo Arodudu Alexey Voinov Iris van Duren
INTRODUCTION Climate change challenges Depletion of global fossil fuel reserves Shortage of fossil fuel supply
Research Problem Developing a more holistic approach for assessing bioenergy potential under an SEA framework Known measures of bioenergy potential Available land Some biomass are not grown on land Biomass yield Not a function of energy obtainable Energy yield Energy invested not considered Money invested and gained Susceptible to political and market mechanisms
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH:NEG/EROEI Net Energy Gain (NEG) NEG = Energy Output - Energy Input Net Energy Gain becomes a loss when it is less than 0 & Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI) EROEI = Energy Output / Energy Input Energy production activity becomes incapable of supporting continuous socio-economic function when EROEI is less than 3
SCOPE OF THE STUDY (RURAL LANDSCAPES) Crop residues Farm manure Natural grasslands WHY? Relative benignity and favourability in terms of existing policy constraints: Surplus pasturelands Food security Nature conservation: soil, water, biodiversity Competitive use of biomass and well being of the local people
Reasons for choice of crop and animal For crops (Scarlat et al, 2010): Corn, Rye, Triticale, Wheat, Barley, Oat, Rapeseed Availability in commercial quantity Good Crop to Residue Yield For animal (Fehrs, 2000): Beef Cattle, Dairy cattle, Pig, Chicken large Population of animal % collectable on barns and hard surfaces For Grasses on Surplus pasturelands (Prochnow et al, 2009)- Alfalfa Prevent a total change in ecosystem structure Meet future fodder needs
Factors influencing potential availability of biomass for bioenergy production For Crop residue (Scarlat et al, 2010) Use for soil conservation purposes Use as substrates for mushroom (Wheat) Use for animal beddings For Animal waste (Fehrs, 2000) % collectable on barns and hard surfaces For Grasses (van Vuuren et al, 2010) Use for animal beddings and animal feed
Method: Combination of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and GIS From the LCI: List of energy inputs and outputs, biomass and energy conversion models and coefficients Estimation of Potential Biomass and Biomass Potentially available for Bioenergy Production Estimation of Energy Input and Output of the different bioenergy production options Estimation of NEG and EROEI of the different bioenergy production options From the GIS: Estimation of area under natural grassland using GIS coverages (LGN 6 Land cover map)
RESULTS: PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION Biomass type Percentage (%) Manure 89.56 Crop residue 9.99 Natural Grassland 0.44 Surplus pasturelands 0.01 Manure by far has the largest biomass and bioenergy potential
RESULTS: FARM MANURE Large NEG, not necessarily high EROEI
RESULT: CROP RESIDUE NEG (TJ) EROEI Biomass type Corn 6684.78 16.68 Rye 6.93 9.23 Triticale 7.75 8.52 Wheat 44.80 9.59 Oat 1.42 7.91 Barley 33.96 8.96 Rapeseed 2.55 9.04 Corn residues: most energy efficient : High EROEI most energy profitable: High NEG
Results:Choice of grass harvest for bioenergy production Biomass type Natural Grassland: Early Harvest (< 12cm) NEG (TJ) EROEI 153-256 7.44 Intermediate Harvest (15-20cm) 216-361 11.62 Late Harvest (>25cm) Surplus Pasturelands: Early Harvest (< 12cm) 136-228 13.09 2.47 2.12 Intermediate Harvest (15-20cm) 4.71 4.09 Late Harvest (>25cm) 3.34 7.06 Natural grassland (Intermediate Harvest): Natural Grassland Management Policy in the Netherlands Surplus Pasturelands (Late Harvest): Highest energy efficiency value (EROEI).
Evaluation of Overijssels bioenergy potential Form of energy Bioenergy target (60PJ) Conversion Efficiency of biogas Bioenergy potential NEG-66PJ Net Gain to EU targets elsewhere - Transport fuel Heat (CHP) Electricity (CHP) Industrial raw material Extra 2PJ of biogas still exists. 23PJ 96% 23PJ 13PJ 70% 28PJ +15PJ of heat - 14PJ 35% 14PJ 10PJ As liquid fertilizer 5.94PJ -3.06PJ
Conclusions NEG/EROEI approach is quite holistic: Opens up room for broad analysis of bioenergy potential issues Alternatives: minimizing constraints and maximizing energy gains Unconventional biomass sources Farm scale wet anaerobic co-digestion technology Better animal management options and farm structures Energy efficiency component: EROEI Accurate evaluation of bioenergy targets: NEG Basis for stakeholder interactions
