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Energy Crop-Based Biogas as Vehicle Fuel—The Impact of Crop Selection on Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Pål Börjesson

    (Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Thomas Prade

    (Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Mikael Lantz

    (Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Lovisa Björnsson

    (Environmental and Energy Systems Studies, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

The production of biogas from six agricultural crops was analysed regarding energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) performance for vehicle fuel from a field-to-tank perspective, with focus on critical parameters and on calculation methods. The energy efficiency varied from 35% to 44%, expressed as primary energy input per energy unit vehicle gas produced. The GHG reduction varied from 70% to 120%, compared with fossil liquid fuels, when the GHG credit of the digestate produced was included through system expansion according to the calculation methodology in the ISO 14044 standard of life cycle assessment. Ley crop-based biogas systems led to the highest GHG reduction, due to the significant soil carbon accumulation, followed by maize, wheat, hemp, triticale and sugar beet. Critical parameters are biogenic nitrous oxide emissions from crop cultivation, for which specific emission factors for digestate are missing today, and methane leakage from biogas production. The GHG benefits were reduced and the interrelation between the crops changed, when the GHG calculations were instead based on the methodology stated in the EU Renewable Energy Directive, where crop contribution to soil carbon accumulation is disregarded. All systems could still reach a 60% GHG reduction, due to the improved agricultural management when digestate replaces mineral fertilisers.

Suggested Citation

  • Pål Börjesson & Thomas Prade & Mikael Lantz & Lovisa Björnsson, 2015. "Energy Crop-Based Biogas as Vehicle Fuel—The Impact of Crop Selection on Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:6:p:6033-6058:d:51341
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    Cited by:

    1. Bacenetti, Jacopo & Sala, Cesare & Fusi, Alessandra & Fiala, Marco, 2016. "Agricultural anaerobic digestion plants: What LCA studies pointed out and what can be done to make them more environmentally sustainable," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 669-686.
    2. Budzianowski, Wojciech M. & Postawa, Karol, 2017. "Renewable energy from biogas with reduced carbon dioxide footprint: Implications of applying different plant configurations and operating pressures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 852-868.
    3. Ramírez-Arpide, Félix Rafael & Espinosa-Solares, Teodoro & Gallegos-Vázquez, Clemente & Santoyo-Cortés, Vinicio Horacio, 2019. "Bioenergy production from nopal cladodes and dairy cow manure on a farm-scale level: Challenges for its economic feasibility in Mexico," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 383-392.

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