Study: solid biofuels 570% more efficient than corn ethanol in reducing GHG emissions
A study by Canadian and Dutch scientists just released in a book by Springer Publishers found that commercial second-generation solid biofuel technology has set a new Canadian benchmark in greenhouse gas displacement. The solid biofuel technology using biomass from energy crops for heat energy developed by REAP-Canada reduces GHG emissions by 7,600-13,100 kg CO2e /ha. By comparison soybean biodiesel and corn ethanol were found to reduce GHGs by a mere 900 and 1,500 kg CO2e/ha respectively.
Biopact has often said that liquid biofuels are not the smartest idea, because the conversion process is inefficient and the fuels would be used in equally inefficient internal combustion engines. With the advent of electric vehicles, it will be far more interesting to use biomass (pellets) as a solid fuel to generate electricity and heat, in highly efficient cogeneration facilities. (However, note that electric vehicles may not penetrate markets of poor, developing countries. There, liquid biofuels may remain a temporary option that makes sense, given the fact that mobility is key to development, and that high oil prices are having devastating effects on all sectors of the economy of such energy-intensive countries.)
According to Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada and lead author of the new study:
One of the key densification technologies to make next-generation solid biofuels work is found in a process known as torrefaction. By 'roasting' biomass, its energy density can be improved dramatically and its fuel properties are altered in such a way that the fuel can be (co-)fired in existing power infrastructures:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: solid biofuels :: heat :: efficiency :: greenhouse gas emissions ::
Torrefaction also makes long-distance transport of the biomass much more feasible (distances can be squared), allowing for a far more efficient planning process and use of the existing resources.
The full article titled "Developing Energy Crops for Thermal Applications" in Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks is available from Springer Publishers or online, here.
Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on sustainable biofuel systems development. A world leader in developing bioenergy for greenhouse gas mitigation and rural development, REAP-Canada provides services in bioenergy research, policy and market development. The agency has 17 years of experience in energy crop development, biomass resource assessments and bioenergy conversion technologies in industrialized and developing nations.
References:
REAP-Canada: Analysing Ontario Biofuel Options: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Efficiency and Costs (2008) [*.pdf].
Innovative research on Switchgrass and BioHeat - click here to see a CBC Market Place Video.
Biopact: Torrefaction gives biomass a 20% energy boost, makes logistics far more efficient - July 25, 2008
Biopact has often said that liquid biofuels are not the smartest idea, because the conversion process is inefficient and the fuels would be used in equally inefficient internal combustion engines. With the advent of electric vehicles, it will be far more interesting to use biomass (pellets) as a solid fuel to generate electricity and heat, in highly efficient cogeneration facilities. (However, note that electric vehicles may not penetrate markets of poor, developing countries. There, liquid biofuels may remain a temporary option that makes sense, given the fact that mobility is key to development, and that high oil prices are having devastating effects on all sectors of the economy of such energy-intensive countries.)
According to Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-Canada and lead author of the new study:
Solid biofuels produced from 2nd generation energy crops, such as switchgrass, effectively blow away liquid biofuels like corn ethanol as a serious greenhouse gas mitigation option.REAP-Canada is calling on the federal and provincial governments to work jointly to implement a national solid biofuels GHG mitigation strategy.
Solid biofuels are 570% more efficient than liquid fuels in using farmland to mitigate GHG's yet there are no subsidies in Canada for such technologies. In the race to reduce GHG's, solid biofuels are the winning horse while liquid biofuels are a donkey. - Roger Samson, Executive Director of REAP-CanadaThe study also offers several recommendations on how energy from solid biofuels can be developed efficiently and equitably across Canada.
One of the key densification technologies to make next-generation solid biofuels work is found in a process known as torrefaction. By 'roasting' biomass, its energy density can be improved dramatically and its fuel properties are altered in such a way that the fuel can be (co-)fired in existing power infrastructures:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: ethanol :: biodiesel :: solid biofuels :: heat :: efficiency :: greenhouse gas emissions ::
Torrefaction also makes long-distance transport of the biomass much more feasible (distances can be squared), allowing for a far more efficient planning process and use of the existing resources.
The full article titled "Developing Energy Crops for Thermal Applications" in Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems: Benefits and Risks is available from Springer Publishers or online, here.
Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on sustainable biofuel systems development. A world leader in developing bioenergy for greenhouse gas mitigation and rural development, REAP-Canada provides services in bioenergy research, policy and market development. The agency has 17 years of experience in energy crop development, biomass resource assessments and bioenergy conversion technologies in industrialized and developing nations.
References:
REAP-Canada: Analysing Ontario Biofuel Options: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Efficiency and Costs (2008) [*.pdf].
Innovative research on Switchgrass and BioHeat - click here to see a CBC Market Place Video.
Biopact: Torrefaction gives biomass a 20% energy boost, makes logistics far more efficient - July 25, 2008
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