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The Role of Biorefinery Co-Products, Market Proximity and Feedstock Environmental Footprint in Meeting Biofuel Policy Goals for Winter Barley-to-Ethanol

Author

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  • Sabrina Spatari

    (Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel)

  • Alexander Stadel

    (Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Paul R. Adler

    (Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, The United States Department of Agriculture-The Agricultural Research Service, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Saurajyoti Kar

    (Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • William J. Parton

    (Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Kevin B. Hicks

    (Sustainable Biofuels and CoProducts Research Unit, The United States Department of Agriculture-The Agricultural Research Service, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA)

  • Andrew J. McAloon

    (Sustainable Biofuels and CoProducts Research Unit, The United States Department of Agriculture-The Agricultural Research Service, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA)

  • Patrick L. Gurian

    (Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

Renewable fuel standards for biofuels have been written into policy in the U.S. to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of transportation energy supply. Biofuel feedstocks sourced from within a regional market have the potential to also address sustainability goals. The U.S. Mid-Atlantic region could meet the advanced fuel designation specified in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), which requires a 50% reduction in GHG emissions relative to a gasoline baseline fuel, through ethanol produced from winter barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). We estimate technology configurations and winter barley grown on available winter fallow agricultural land in six Mid-Atlantic states. Using spatially weighted stochastic GHG emission estimates for winter barley supply from 374 counties and biorefinery data from a commercial dry-grind facility design with multiple co-products, we conclude that winter barley would meet RFS2 goals even with the U.S. EPA’s indirect land use change estimates. Using a conservative threshold for soil GHG emissions sourced from barley produced on winter fallow lands in the U.S. MidAtlantic, a biorefinery located near densely populated metropolitan areas in the Eastern U.S. seaboard could economically meet the requirements of an advanced biofuel with the co-production of CO 2 for the soft drink industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabrina Spatari & Alexander Stadel & Paul R. Adler & Saurajyoti Kar & William J. Parton & Kevin B. Hicks & Andrew J. McAloon & Patrick L. Gurian, 2020. "The Role of Biorefinery Co-Products, Market Proximity and Feedstock Environmental Footprint in Meeting Biofuel Policy Goals for Winter Barley-to-Ethanol," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:9:p:2236-:d:353632
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    1. Luca Ciacci & Fabrizio Passarini, 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Environmental and Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-8, November.
    2. Larnaudie, Valeria & Ferrari, Mario Daniel & Lareo, Claudia, 2022. "Switchgrass as an alternative biomass for ethanol production in a biorefinery: Perspectives on technology, economics and environmental sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Larnaudie, Valeria & Ferrari, Mario Daniel & Lareo, Claudia, 2021. "Life cycle assessment of ethanol produced in a biorefinery from liquid hot water pretreated switchgrass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 606-616.
    4. Izabela Samson-Bręk & Marlena Owczuk & Anna Matuszewska & Krzysztof Biernat, 2022. "Environmental Assessment of the Life Cycle of Electricity Generation from Biogas in Polish Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.

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