IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v13y2023i1p186-d1032441.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prospects for Bioenergy Development Potential from Dedicated Energy Crops in Ecuador: An Agroecological Zoning Study

Author

Listed:
  • Christian R. Parra

    (TADRUS Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, University of Valladolid (UVa), Campus Universitario de Palencia, Avenida de Madrid, 50, 34004 Palencia, Spain)

  • Angel D. Ramirez

    (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Mecánica y Ciencias de la Producción, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC090902, Ecuador)

  • Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia

    (TADRUS Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, University of Valladolid (UVa), Campus Universitario de Palencia, Avenida de Madrid, 50, 34004 Palencia, Spain)

  • David Gonzales

    (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Mecánica y Ciencias de la Producción, Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC090902, Ecuador)

  • Adriana Correa-Guimaraes

    (TADRUS Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, University of Valladolid (UVa), Campus Universitario de Palencia, Avenida de Madrid, 50, 34004 Palencia, Spain)

Abstract

Most climate change mitigation scenarios rely on the incremental use of biomass as energy feedstock. Therefore, increasing the share of alternative sustainable energy sources as biomass is crucial to provide both peak and base electricity loads in future scenarios. The bioenergy potential of Ecuador has been addressed for agricultural by-products but not for dedicated bioenergy crops. Agricultural zoning studies have been developed for food crops but not for energy crops. Currently, the bioenergy share of electricity produced in Ecuador (1.4%) comes mainly from the use of sugar cane bagasse from sugar production. This study aims to identify potential sustainable bioenergy resources for continental Ecuador using agroecological zoning methodologies and considerations regarding land management, food security, in-direct land use change and ecological and climate change risks. The results identified 222,060.71 ha available to grow dedicated bioenergy crops and potential electricity production of 8603 GWh/year; giant reed ranks first with a potential net energy yield of 4024 GWh per year, and Manabí province presents the highest potential with 3768 GWh/year. Large-scale deployment of bioenergy in Ecuador would require the study of sustainability considerations of each project. The species studied are traditional bioenergy crops; research on novel species is encouraged.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian R. Parra & Angel D. Ramirez & Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia & David Gonzales & Adriana Correa-Guimaraes, 2023. "Prospects for Bioenergy Development Potential from Dedicated Energy Crops in Ecuador: An Agroecological Zoning Study," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:186-:d:1032441
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/1/186/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/1/186/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tomoko Hasegawa & Ronald D. Sands & Thierry Brunelle & Yiyun Cui & Stefan Frank & Shinichiro Fujimori & Alexander Popp, 2020. "Food security under high bioenergy demand toward long-term climate goals," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 1587-1601, December.
    2. Avinash Bharti & Kunwar Paritosh & Venkata Ravibabu Mandla & Aakash Chawade & Vivekanand Vivekanand, 2021. "GIS Application for the Estimation of Bioenergy Potential from Agriculture Residues: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Iqbal, Y. & Gauder, M. & Claupein, W. & Graeff-Hönninger, S. & Lewandowski, I., 2015. "Yield and quality development comparison between miscanthus and switchgrass over a period of 10 years," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 268-276.
    4. Ramirez, A.D. & Boero, A. & Rivela, B. & Melendres, A.M. & Espinoza, S. & Salas, D.A., 2020. "Life cycle methods to analyze the environmental sustainability of electricity generation in Ecuador: Is decarbonization the right path?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Batidzirai, B. & Smeets, E.M.W. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2012. "Harmonising bioenergy resource potentials—Methodological lessons from review of state of the art bioenergy potential assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(9), pages 6598-6630.
    6. Elsido, Cristina & Martelli, Emanuele & Kreutz, Thomas, 2019. "Heat integration and heat recovery steam cycle optimization for a low-carbon lignite/biomass-to-jet fuel demonstration project," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 1322-1342.
    7. Gassman, Philip W. & Reyes, Manuel R. & Green, Colleen H. & Arnold, Jeffrey G., 2007. "The Soil and Water Assessment Tool: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Research Directions," ISU General Staff Papers 200701010800001027, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    8. Ramirez, Angel D. & Rivela, Beatriz & Boero, Andrea & Melendres, Ana M., 2019. "Lights and shadows of the environmental impacts of fossil-based electricity generation technologies: A contribution based on the Ecuadorian experience," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 467-477.
    9. Finnan, John & Styles, David, 2013. "Hemp: A more sustainable annual energy crop for climate and energy policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 152-162.
    10. Šiaudinis, Gintaras & Jasinskas, Algirdas & Šarauskis, Egidijus & Steponavičius, Dainius & Karčauskienė, Danutė & Liaudanskienė, Inga, 2015. "The assessment of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) productivity, physico–mechanical properties and energy expenses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 606-612.
    11. van Duren, Iris & Voinov, Alexey & Arodudu, Oludunsin & Firrisa, Melese Tesfaye, 2015. "Where to produce rapeseed biodiesel and why? Mapping European rapeseed energy efficiency," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 49-59.
    12. Cevallos-Sierra, Jaime & Ramos-Martin, Jesús, 2018. "Spatial assessment of the potential of renewable energy: The case of Ecuador," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1154-1165.
    13. Zang, Guiyan & Zhang, Jianan & Jia, Junxi & Lora, Electo Silva & Ratner, Albert, 2020. "Life cycle assessment of power-generation systems based on biomass integrated gasification combined cycles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 336-346.
    14. Nico Bauer & Steven K. Rose & Shinichiro Fujimori & Detlef P. Vuuren & John Weyant & Marshall Wise & Yiyun Cui & Vassilis Daioglou & Matthew J. Gidden & Etsushi Kato & Alban Kitous & Florian Leblanc &, 2020. "Global energy sector emission reductions and bioenergy use: overview of the bioenergy demand phase of the EMF-33 model comparison," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 1553-1568, December.
    15. Janssen, Rainer & Rutz, Dominik Damian, 2011. "Sustainability of biofuels in Latin America: Risks and opportunities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 5717-5725, October.
    16. Schwerz, Felipe & Neto, Durval Dourado & Caron, Braulio Otomar & Nardini, Claiton & Sgarbossa, Jaqueline & Eloy, Elder & Behling, Alexandre & Elli, Elvis Felipe & Reichardt, Klaus, 2020. "Biomass and potential energy yield of perennial woody energy crops under reduced planting spacing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1238-1250.
    17. 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.
    18. Samy Sadaka & Mahmoud A. Sharara & Amanda Ashworth & Patrick Keyser & Fred Allen & Andrew Wright, 2014. "Characterization of Biochar from Switchgrass Carbonization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-20, January.
    19. Edrisi, Sheikh Adil & Abhilash, P.C., 2016. "Exploring marginal and degraded lands for biomass and bioenergy production: An Indian scenario," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1537-1551.
    20. Keyu Bao & Rushikesh Padsala & Volker Coors & Daniela Thrän & Bastian Schröter, 2020. "A Method for Assessing Regional Bioenergy Potentials Based on GIS Data and a Dynamic Yield Simulation Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-24, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Luisa F. Lozano-Castellanos & José E. Méndez-Vanegas & Francisco Tomatis & Adriana Correa-Guimaraes & Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia, 2023. "Zoning of Potential Areas for the Production of Oleaginous Species in Colombia under Agroforestry Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-14, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jankowski, Krzysztof Józef & Dubis, Bogdan & Kozak, Marcin, 2021. "Sewage sludge and the energy balance of Jerusalem artichoke production - A case study in north-eastern Poland," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    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. Stolarski, Mariusz J. & Krzyżaniak, Michał & Warmiński, Kazimierz & Tworkowski, Józef & Szczukowski, Stefan & Olba–Zięty, Ewelina & Gołaszewski, Janusz, 2017. "Energy efficiency of perennial herbaceous crops production depending on the type of digestate and mineral fertilizers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 50-60.
    4. Wu, Yazhen & Deppermann, Andre & Havlík, Petr & Frank, Stefan & Ren, Ming & Zhao, Hao & Ma, Lin & Fang, Chen & Chen, Qi & Dai, Hancheng, 2023. "Global land-use and sustainability implications of enhanced bioenergy import of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    5. Ramirez, A.D. & Boero, A. & Rivela, B. & Melendres, A.M. & Espinoza, S. & Salas, D.A., 2020. "Life cycle methods to analyze the environmental sustainability of electricity generation in Ecuador: Is decarbonization the right path?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Mayra L. Pazmiño & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment as a Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability of Pig and Pork Production in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, October.
    7. Tilvikiene, Vita & Kadziuliene, Zydre & Liaudanskiene, Inga & Zvicevicius, Egidijus & Cerniauskiene, Zivile & Cipliene, Ausra & Raila, Algirdas Jonas & Baltrusaitis, Jonas, 2020. "The quality and energy potential of introduced energy crops in northern part of temperate climate zone," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 887-895.
    8. Icaza, Daniel & Borge-Diez, David & Galindo, Santiago Pulla, 2022. "Analysis and proposal of energy planning and renewable energy plans in South America: Case study of Ecuador," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 314-342.
    9. Iriarte, Alfredo & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2012. "Transition towards a more environmentally sustainable biodiesel in South America: The case of Chile," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(1), pages 263-273.
    10. Zeke Marshall & Paul E. Brockway, 2020. "A Net Energy Analysis of the Global Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing and Forestry System," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1-27, June.
    11. Xu, Bin & Lin, Boqiang, 2018. "Do we really understand the development of China's new energy industry?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 733-745.
    12. Egbendewe-Mondzozo, Aklesso & Swinton, Scott M. & Bals, Bryan D. & Dale, Bruce E., 2011. "Can Dispersed Biomass Processing Protect the Environment and Cover the Bottom Line for Biofuel?," Staff Paper Series 119348, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    13. Andersson, Jafet C.M. & Zehnder, Alexander J.B. & Rockström, Johan & Yang, Hong, 2011. "Potential impacts of water harvesting and ecological sanitation on crop yield, evaporation and river flow regimes in the Thukela River basin, South Africa," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(7), pages 1113-1124, May.
    14. Hongxing Liu & Wendong Zhang & Elena Irwin & Jeffrey Kast & Noel Aloysius & Jay Martin & Margaret Kalcic, 2020. "Best Management Practices and Nutrient Reduction: An Integrated Economic-Hydrologic Model of the Western Lake Erie Basin," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 96(4), pages 510-530.
    15. Çağatay, Selim & Taşdoğan, Celal & Özeş, Reyhan, 2017. "Analysing the impact of targeted bio-ethanol blending ratio in Turkey," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 6(2), September.
    16. Zhao, Xinyue & Chen, Heng & Zheng, Qiwei & Liu, Jun & Pan, Peiyuan & Xu, Gang & Zhao, Qinxin & Jiang, Xue, 2023. "Thermo-economic analysis of a novel hydrogen production system using medical waste and biogas with zero carbon emission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    17. Jane Kolodinsky & Hannah Lacasse & Katherine Gallagher, 2020. "Making Hemp Choices: Evidence from Vermont," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-15, August.
    18. Baudry, Gino & Delrue, Florian & Legrand, Jack & Pruvost, Jérémy & Vallée, Thomas, 2017. "The challenge of measuring biofuel sustainability: A stakeholder-driven approach applied to the French case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 933-947.
    19. Medwid, Laura J. & Lambert, Dayton M. & Clark, Christopher D. & Hawkins, Shawn A. & McClellan, Hannah A., 2016. "Estimating Soil Loss Abatement Curves with Primary Survey Data and Hydrologic Models: An Empirical Example for Livestock Production in an East Tennessee Watershed," 2016 Annual Meeting, February 6-9, 2016, San Antonio, Texas 230052, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    20. Jankowski, Krzysztof Józef & Dubis, Bogdan & Sokólski, Mateusz Mikołaj & Załuski, Dariusz & Bórawski, Piotr & Szempliński, Władysław, 2019. "Biomass yield and energy balance of Virginia fanpetals in different production technologies in north-eastern Poland," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 612-623.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:186-:d:1032441. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.