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Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production

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  • Leonel J. R. Nunes

    (IPVC—Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    proMetheus—Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente para a Sustentabilidade, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
    ESA—Escola Superior Agrária, Refóios do Lima, 4990-706 Ponte de Lima, Portugal
    DEGEIT—Departamento de Economia, Gestão, Engenharia Industrial e Turismo, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • João C. O. Matias

    (DEGEIT—Departamento de Economia, Gestão, Engenharia Industrial e Turismo, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    GOVCOPP—Unidade de Investigação em Governança, Competitividade e Políticas Públicas, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

Climate change is a reality that affects the daily lives of people around the world, with a set of effects that are systematically felt. If there is still discussion about the real cause behind these phenomena, with differing opinions defending the anthropic origin or the origin in terrestrial cycles of geological scale, it seems to be unanimously attributed to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases—particularly to CO 2 . That is, whatever the source of CO 2 , it is commonly accepted that this is the cause of the acceleration of the climate change process, and the occurrence of extreme climate phenomena. The use of energy from renewable sources, such as solar or wind, can contribute to the replacement of energy generated from fossil sources. However, these forms of energy are dependent on uncontrollable climatic factors and are, therefore, dependent on the existence of alternatives that, when in reserve, can be activated at any time as soon as the power grid requests their activation. Thus, biomass emerges as an alternative capable of providing this answer, although it also has numerous disadvantages. Torrefaction may be the technology that corrects these drawbacks and allows for the successful use of biomass in the replacement the coal used in power generation, contributing significantly to the reduction of CO 2 emissions. In addition to this possibility, it is necessary to introduce forest management models that effectively make use of all material flows generated during forestry operations, creating value-added chains, with a view toward a circular economy and resource sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonel J. R. Nunes & João C. O. Matias, 2020. "Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:922-:d:313517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Jorge Miguel Carneiro Ribeiro & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias & Leonel Jorge Ribeiro Nunes, 2018. "Future Perspectives of Biomass Torrefaction: Review of the Current State-Of-The-Art and Research Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandr Arshanitsa & Lilija Jashina & Matiss Pals & Jevgenija Ponomarenko & Yegor Akishin & Maja Zake, 2022. "Characteristics of the Main- and Side-Stream Products of Microwave Assisted Torrefaction of Lignocellulosic Biomass of Different Origination," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Leonel J. R. Nunes & Abel M. Rodrigues & João C. O. Matias & Ana I. Ferraz & Ana C. Rodrigues, 2021. "Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Beatriz M. Paredes-Sánchez & José P. Paredes-Sánchez & Paulino J. García-Nieto, 2020. "Energy Multiphase Model for Biocoal Conversion Systems by Means of a Nodal Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Mateusz Jackowski & Łukasz Niedźwiecki & Krzysztof Mościcki & Amit Arora & Muhammad Azam Saeed & Krystian Krochmalny & Jakub Pawliczek & Anna Trusek & Magdalena Lech & Jan Skřínský & Jakub Čespiva & J, 2021. "Synergetic Co-Production of Beer Colouring Agent and Solid Fuel from Brewers’ Spent Grain in the Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Margareta Novian Cahyanti & Tharaka Rama Krishna C. Doddapaneni & Marten Madissoo & Linnar Pärn & Indrek Virro & Timo Kikas, 2021. "Torrefaction of Agricultural and Wood Waste: Comparative Analysis of Selected Fuel Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, May.
    6. Leonel J.R. Nunes & Jorge T. Pereira da Costa & Radu Godina & João C.O. Matias & João P.S. Catalão, 2020. "A Logistics Management System for a Biomass-to-Energy Production Plant Storage Park," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-21, October.
    7. Sukiran, Mohamad Azri & Wan Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri & Abnisa, Faisal & Nasrin, Abu Bakar & Abdul Aziz, Astimar & Loh, Soh Kheang, 2021. "A comprehensive study on torrefaction of empty fruit bunches: Characterization of solid, liquid and gas products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    8. Samuel O’Brien & Jacek A. Koziel & Chumki Banik & Andrzej Białowiec, 2020. "Synergy of Thermochemical Treatment of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles with Bioethanol Production for Increased Sustainability and Profitability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-14, September.

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