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Life-Cycle Energy and GHG Emissions of Forest Biomass Harvest and Transport for Biofuel Production in Michigan

Author

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  • Fengli Zhang

    (College of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
    Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA)

  • Dana M. Johnson

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
    School of Business and Economics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA)

  • Jinjiang Wang

    (College of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China)

Abstract

High dependence on imported oil has increased U.S. strategic vulnerability and prompted more research in the area of renewable energy production. Ethanol production from renewable woody biomass, which could be a substitute for gasoline, has seen increased interest. This study analysed energy use and greenhouse gas emission impacts on the forest biomass supply chain activities within the State of Michigan. A life-cycle assessment of harvesting and transportation stages was completed utilizing peer-reviewed literature. Results for forest-delivered ethanol were compared with those for petroleum gasoline using data specific to the U.S. The analysis from a woody biomass feedstock supply perspective uncovered that ethanol production is more environmentally friendly (about 62% less greenhouse gas emissions) compared with petroleum based fossil fuel production. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with key inputs associated with harvesting and transportation operations. The results showed that research focused on improving biomass recovery efficiency and truck fuel economy further reduced GHG emissions and energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Fengli Zhang & Dana M. Johnson & Jinjiang Wang, 2015. "Life-Cycle Energy and GHG Emissions of Forest Biomass Harvest and Transport for Biofuel Production in Michigan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:4:p:3258-3271:d:48546
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Fengli & Johnson, Dana M. & Johnson, Mark A., 2012. "Development of a simulation model of biomass supply chain for biofuel production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 380-391.
    2. Liu, Zhexuan & Qiu, Tong & Chen, Bingzhen, 2014. "A study of the LCA based biofuel supply chain multi-objective optimization model with multi-conversion paths in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 221-234.
    3. Long Nguyen & Kara G. Cafferty & Erin M. Searcy & Sabrina Spatari, 2014. "Uncertainties in Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Advanced Biomass Feedstock Logistics Supply Chains in Kansas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-22, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodica Niculescu & Adrian Clenci & Victor Iorga-Siman, 2019. "Review on the Use of Diesel–Biodiesel–Alcohol Blends in Compression Ignition Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-41, March.
    2. Zhang, Fengli & Johnson, Dana M. & Wang, Jinjiang & Yu, Chunxia, 2016. "Cost, energy use and GHG emissions for forest biomass harvesting operations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1053-1062.
    3. Seyed Ali Haji Esmaeili & Ahmad Sobhani & Sajad Ebrahimi & Joseph Szmerekovsky & Alan Dybing & Amin Keramati, 2023. "Location Allocation of Biorefineries for a Switchgrass-Based Bioethanol Supply Chain Using Energy Consumption and Emissions," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Marco Manzone & Fabrizio Gioelli & Paolo Balsari, 2017. "Kiwi Clear‐Cut: First Evaluation of Recovered Biomass for Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Haji Esmaeili, Seyed Ali & Szmerekovsky, Joseph & Sobhani, Ahmad & Dybing, Alan & Peterson, Tim O., 2020. "Sustainable biomass supply chain network design with biomass switching incentives for first-generation bioethanol producers," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Haji Esmaeili, Seyed Ali & Sobhani, Ahmad & Szmerekovsky, Joseph & Dybing, Alan & Pourhashem, Ghasideh, 2020. "First-generation vs. second-generation: A market incentives analysis for bioethanol supply chains with carbon policies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    7. Zhang, Fengli & Johnson, Dana M. & Wang, Jinjiang, 2016. "Integrating multimodal transport into forest-delivered biofuel supply chain design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 58-67.
    8. Xiaoxi Yan & Dong Jiang & Jingying Fu & Mengmeng Hao, 2018. "Assessment of Sweet Sorghum-Based Ethanol Potential in China within the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    9. Ye, Fei & Li, Yina & Lin, Qiang & Zhan, Yuanzhu, 2017. "Modeling of China's cassava-based bioethanol supply chain operation and coordination," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 217-228.
    10. Raghava Rao Kommalapati & Iqbal Hossan & Venkata Sai Vamsi Botlaguduru & Hongbo Du & Ziaul Huque, 2018. "Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Biomass Co-Firing with Coal at a Power Plant in the Greater Houston Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, June.

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