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Energy and GHG balances of ethanol production from cane molasses in Indonesia

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  • Khatiwada, Dilip
  • Venkata, Bharadwaj K.
  • Silveira, Semida
  • Johnson, Francis X.

Abstract

This study analyses the sustainability of fuel ethanol production from cane molasses in Indonesia. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to evaluate the net emissions (climate change impact) and energy inputs (resource consumption) in the production chain. The lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the production and use of ethanol are estimated at 29gCO2eq per MJ of ethanol produced which is a 67% reduction in comparison to gasoline emissions. Net Energy Value (NEV) and Net Renewable Energy Value (NREV) are −7MJ/l and 17.7MJ/l, while the energy yield ratio (ER) is 6.1. Economic allocation is chosen for dividing environmental burdens and resource consumption between sugar (i.e. main product) and molasses (i.e. co-product used for fuel production). Sensitivity analysis of various parameters is performed. The emissions and energy values are highly sensitive to sugarcane yield, ethanol yield, and the price of molasses. The use of sugarcane biomass residues (bagasse/trash) for efficient cogeneration, and different waste management options for the treatment of spent wash (effluent of distilleries) are also explored. Surplus bioelectricity generation in the efficient cogeneration plant, biogas recovery from wastewater treatment plant, and their use for fossil fuel substitution can help improve energy and environmental gains. The study also compares important results with other relevant international studies and discusses issues related to land use change (LUC) impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Khatiwada, Dilip & Venkata, Bharadwaj K. & Silveira, Semida & Johnson, Francis X., 2016. "Energy and GHG balances of ethanol production from cane molasses in Indonesia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 756-768.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:164:y:2016:i:c:p:756-768
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.11.032
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    5. Badra, Jihad & AlRamadan, Abdullah S. & Sarathy, S. Mani, 2017. "Optimization of the octane response of gasoline/ethanol blends," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 778-793.
    6. Soam, Shveta & Kapoor, Manali & Kumar, Ravindra & Borjesson, Pal & Gupta, Ravi P. & Tuli, Deepak K., 2016. "Global warming potential and energy analysis of second generation ethanol production from rice straw in India," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 353-364.
    7. Gabisa, Elias W. & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2020. "Can substitution of imported gasoline by locally produced molasses ethanol in Ethiopia be sustainable? An eco-efficiency assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    8. Wiraditma Prananta & Ida Kubiszewski, 2021. "Assessment of Indonesia’s Future Renewable Energy Plan: A Meta-Analysis of Biofuel Energy Return on Investment (EROI)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    9. Zhu, Shengdong & Luo, Fang & Huang, Wenjing & Huang, Wangxiang & Wu, Yuanxin, 2017. "Comparison of three fermentation strategies for alleviating the negative effect of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate on lignocellulosic ethanol production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 124-131.
    10. Ma, Yingqun & Cai, Weiwei & Liu, Yu, 2017. "An integrated engineering system for maximizing bioenergy production from food waste," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 83-89.
    11. Khatiwada, Dilip & Silveira, Semida, 2017. "Scenarios for bioethanol production in Indonesia: How can we meet mandatory blending targets?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 351-361.
    12. Mostafa Rezaei & Ali Mostafaeipour & Mojtaba Qolipour & Hamid-Reza Arabnia, 2018. "Hydrogen production using wind energy from sea water: A case study on Southern and Northern coasts of Iran," Energy & Environment, , vol. 29(3), pages 333-357, May.
    13. O'Shea, Richard & Lin, Richen & Wall, David M. & Browne, James D. & Murphy, Jerry D, 2020. "Using biogas to reduce natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at a large distillery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).

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