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Quantifying the Environmental Impacts of Cookstove Transitions: A Societal Exergy Analysis Based Model of Energy Consumption and Forest Stocks in Honduras

Author

Listed:
  • Noah Ver Beek

    (Engineering Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA)

  • Elvin Vindel

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA)

  • Matthew Kuperus Heun

    (Engineering Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA)

  • Paul E. Brockway

    (Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

Abstract

Unsustainable consumption of biofuels contributes to deforestation and climate change, while household air pollution from burning solid biofuels in homes results in millions of premature deaths globally every year. Honduras, like many low and medium Human Development Index countries, depends on primary solid biofuels for more than 30% of its primary energy supply (as of 2013). We conducted a societal exergy analysis and developed a forest stock model for Honduras for 1971–2013 and used the results to model an energy transition from traditional wood stoves to either improved efficiency wood cookstoves or modern fuel cookstoves (using Electricity or Liquefied petroleum gas) over the period 2013–2050. The exergy analysis and forest model enabled quantification of the environmental tradeoffs between the improved efficiency and fuel switching scenarios. We find that the continued reliance on wood within both the existing and improved wood cookstove scenarios would exhaust forest stocks by 2050, though improved efficiency could reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. Modern fuel cookstoves would reduce household air pollution, emissions, and deforestation. However, the best alternative to successfully reduce household air pollution, GHG emissions, and deforestation is a rapid switch to electric stoves with significant investment in renewable-based electricity.

Suggested Citation

  • Noah Ver Beek & Elvin Vindel & Matthew Kuperus Heun & Paul E. Brockway, 2020. "Quantifying the Environmental Impacts of Cookstove Transitions: A Societal Exergy Analysis Based Model of Energy Consumption and Forest Stocks in Honduras," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3206-:d:374093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Guadalupe Pérez & Jorge M. Islas-Samperio & Genice K. Grande-Acosta & Fabio Manzini, 2022. "Socioeconomic and Environmental Aspects of Traditional Firewood for Cooking on the Example of Rural and Peri-Urban Mexican Households," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-30, July.
    3. Zhang, Lingyue & Li, Hui & Chen, Tianqi & Liao, Hua, 2022. "Health effects of cooking fuel transition: A dynamic perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    4. Matthew Kuperus Heun & Zeke Marshall & Emmanuel Aramendia & Paul E. Brockway, 2020. "The Energy and Exergy of Light with Application to Societal Exergy Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-24, October.

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