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Net energy balance of molasses based ethanol: The case of Nepal

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  • Khatiwada, Dilip
  • Silveira, Semida

Abstract

This paper evaluates life cycle energy analysis of molasses based ethanol (MOE) in Nepal. Net energy value (NEV), net renewable energy value (NREV) and energy yield ratio are used to evaluate the energy balance of MOE in Nepal. Total energy requirements in sugarcane farming, cane milling and ethanol conversion processes are estimated and energy allocation is made between co-products (molasses and sugar) as per their market prices. The result shows negative NEV (-13.05Â MJ/L), positive NREV (18.36Â MJ/L) and energy yield ratio (7.47). The higher positive value of NREV and energy yield ratio reveal that a low amount of fossil fuels are required to produce 1Â L of MOE. However, negative NEV reveals that the total energy consumption (both fossil and renewables) to produce the ethanol is higher than its final energy content. Nevertheless, the renewable energy contribution amounts to 91.7% of total energy requirements. The effect of the increased price of molasses and reduced energy consumption in the sugarcane milling and ethanol conversion are found to be significant in determining the energy values and yield ratio of MOE. In addition, there are clear measures that can be taken to improve efficiency along the production chain. Finally, energy security, scarcity of hard currency for importing fossil fuels and opportunities for regional development are also strong reasons for considering local renewable energy options in developing countries.

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  • Khatiwada, Dilip & Silveira, Semida, 2009. "Net energy balance of molasses based ethanol: The case of Nepal," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2515-2524, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:13:y:2009:i:9:p:2515-2524
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    2. Danilo Arcentales-Bastidas & Carla Silva & Angel D. Ramirez, 2022. "The Environmental Profile of Ethanol Derived from Sugarcane in Ecuador: A Life Cycle Assessment Including the Effect of Cogeneration of Electricity in a Sugar Industrial Complex," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Soam, Shveta & Kumar, Ravindra & Gupta, Ravi P. & Sharma, Pankaj K. & Tuli, Deepak K. & Das, Biswapriya, 2015. "Life cycle assessment of fuel ethanol from sugarcane molasses in northern and western India and its impact on Indian biofuel programme," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 307-315.
    4. Erwan Hermawan & Usman Sudjadi, 2022. "Integrated Nuclear-Renewable Energy System for Industrialization in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia: Economic, Potential Site, and Policy Recommendation," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(4), pages 146-159, July.
    5. Gasparatos, A. & von Maltitz, G.P. & Johnson, F.X. & Lee, L. & Mathai, M. & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. & Willis, K.J., 2015. "Biofuels in sub-Sahara Africa: Drivers, impacts and priority policy areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 879-901.
    6. Silveira, Semida & Khatiwada, Dilip, 2010. "Ethanol production and fuel substitution in Nepal--Opportunity to promote sustainable development and climate change mitigation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(6), pages 1644-1652, August.
    7. 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.
    8. Eshton, Bilha & Katima, Jamidu H.Y., 2015. "Carbon footprints of production and use of liquid biofuels in Tanzania," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 672-680.
    9. Gurung, Anup & Oh, Sang Eun, 2013. "Conversion of traditional biomass into modern bioenergy systems: A review in context to improve the energy situation in Nepal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 206-213.
    10. 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).
    11. Baral Gautam, Yamuna & Pelkonen, Paavo & Halder, Pradipta, 2013. "Perceptions of bioenergy among Nepalese foresters – Survey results and policy implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 533-538.
    12. Lopes Silva, Diogo Aparecido & Delai, Ivete & Delgado Montes, Mary Laura & Roberto Ometto, Aldo, 2014. "Life cycle assessment of the sugarcane bagasse electricity generation in Brazil," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 532-547.
    13. Mainali, Brijesh & Emran, Saad Been & Silveira, Semida, 2017. "Greenhouse gas mitigation using poultry litter management techniques in Bangladesh," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 155-166.
    14. Khatiwada, Dilip & Seabra, Joaquim & Silveira, Semida & Walter, Arnaldo, 2012. "Power generation from sugarcane biomass – A complementary option to hydroelectricity in Nepal and Brazil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 241-254.

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