Reasonable potential for GHG savings by anaerobic biomethane in Germany and UK derived from economic and ecological analyses

Nitrogen fertilizers have been identified in energy crops LCAs as the main contributors to global warming, as well as to many other environmental impacts. The distinct production process and application emissions of nitrogen fertilizer types for top dressing produce different GHG savings when energy crops value chains are compared to fossil energy alternatives. In this study, three types of fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate, urea and ammonium sulphate) at N top dressing rates of 80 kg N/ha are used to grow rye for electricity generation under the conditions of the Continental Mediterranean climate of central-northern Spain. Complete LCAs for the whole value chain based on real data were performed in conjunction with soil nitrogen balances (SNBs) to assess the accomplishment of European Union (EU) GHG savings sustainability criteria, as well as the sustainability of fertilization practices for soil nitrogen stocks. The results obtained can provide interesting insights for policy making, since calcium ammonium nitrate, the most common fertilizer for rye crops, led to 66% GHG savings, as opposed to the 69% achieved when applying urea and 77% when ammonium sulphate was used. Nevertheless, the three fertilizers produced annual soil deficits greater than 50 kg N/ha. In order to ensure savings above 80%, as required by the EU sustainability criteria, and sustainable SNBs, additional optimization measures should be taken at key points of the value chain.

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A comparison of sweet sorghum and maize as first-generation bioethanol feedstocks in Greece

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859614000446 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 153 (5) ◽

pp. 853-861

Author(s):

C. E. VLACHOS ◽

N. A. MARIOLIS ◽

G. N. SKARACIS

Keyword(s):

Sweet Sorghum ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

First Generation ◽

Raw Material ◽

Bioethanol Production ◽

Material Source ◽

Key Factor ◽

Crop Sustainability ◽

The Eu ◽

Ghg Savings

SUMMARYAccording to the EU 28/2009 directive, member states are mandated to substitute 10% of fossil fuels used in transportation with biofuels by the year 2020. Bioethanol production is expected to contribute significantly towards fulfilling Greece's obligations. First-generation bioethanol, produced from amylaceous and sugar crops, is the most important biofuel globally. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the main feedstock for production worldwide, while sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), although a promising raw material source, has not yet enjoyed substantial commercial exploitation due to the high seasonality of the crop. Sustainability criteria set by the EU constitute a key factor in the characterization and future use of biofuels. A 3-year study including 20 maize and 4 sweet sorghum varieties was conducted in order to compare these two crops in terms of emitted greenhouse gases (GHG) during the cultivation phase as well as regarding emission savings by substituting bioethanol for petrol/gasoline. Both crops demonstrated promising bioethanol yields reaching 5235·7 and 6443·7 l/ha/yr for maize and sweet sorghum, respectively, and showed that they could be employed towards first-generation bioethanol production in Greece. Sweet sorghum varieties produced higher bioethanol yields per hectare coupled with lower emissions during the cultivation phase and better overall GHG savings compared to maize.

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Policy Lessons: The Role of Policy Regimes in Maximising GHG Savings in Bioenergy Systems

Greenhouse Gases Balances of Bioenergy Systems ◽

10.1016/b978-0-08-101036-5.00018-5 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 245-260

Author(s):

Patricia Thornley ◽

Paul Adams

Keyword(s):

Policy Regimes ◽

Ghg Savings ◽

Bioenergy Systems

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LAND-USE AND GREENHOUSE GAS IMPLICATIONS OF BIOFUELS: ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND POLICY

Climate Change Economics ◽

10.1142/s2010007812500133 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 03 (03) ◽

pp. 1250013 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

XIAOGUANG CHEN ◽

HAIXIAO HUANG ◽

MADHU KHANNA

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Carbon Price ◽

Price Policy ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

Tax Credit ◽

Cellulosic Biofuels ◽

Cellulosic Biofuel ◽

The U.S ◽

Ghg Savings

This paper examines the changes in land use in the U.S. likely to be induced by biofuel and climate policies and the implications of these policies for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the 2007–2022 period. The policies considered here include a modified Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by itself as well as combined with a cellulosic biofuel tax credit or a carbon price policy. We use a dynamic, spatial, multi-market equilibrium model, Biofuel and Environmental Policy Analysis Model (BEPAM), to endogenously determine the effects of these policies on cropland allocation, food and fuel prices, and the mix of first- and second-generation biofuels. We find that the RFS could be met by diverting 6% of cropland for biofuel production and would result in corn prices increasing by 16% in 2002 relative to the business-as-usual baseline. The reduction in GHG emissions in the U.S. due to the RFS is about 2%; these domestic GHG savings can be severely eroded by emissions due to indirect land-use changes and the increase in gasoline consumption in the rest of the world. Supplementing the RFS with a carbon price policy or a cellulosic biofuel tax credit induces a switch away from corn ethanol to cellulosic biofuels and achieves the mandated level of biofuel production with a smaller adverse impact on crop prices. These supplementary policies enhance the GHG savings achieved by the RFS alone, although through different mechanisms; greater production of cellulosic biofuels with the tax credit but larger reduction in fossil fuel consumption with a carbon tax.

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ORC waste heat recovery in European energy intensive industries: Energy and GHG savings

Energy Conversion and Management ◽

10.1016/j.enconman.2013.07.041 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 76 ◽

pp. 244-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 127

Author(s):

F. Campana ◽

M. Bianchi ◽

L. Branchini ◽

A. De Pascale ◽

A. Peretto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Recovery ◽

Waste Heat Recovery ◽

Waste Heat ◽

Energy Intensive Industries ◽

Ghg Savings

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Comparison of the Properties of Portland Cement and Portland-Limestone Cement

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology ◽

10.52339/tjet.v33i1.448 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Alex Lyatonga Mrema

Keyword(s):

Portland Cement ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Setting Times ◽

Portland Limestone Cement ◽

Ghg Reduction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Comparable Performance ◽

Limestone Cement ◽

Made In ◽

Ghg Savings

A study was made in a cement factory in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where OrdinaryPortland Cement (CEM I 42.5N) and Portland-limestone cement (PLC) which has thebrand name Twiga Cement Extra (CEM II/A-L/32.5R) are produced and conforming to theTanzania Standard TZS 727 (Part1): 2002, which is equivalent to EN 197 published by thecommittee for European normalization (CEN). A comparison was made between the twotypes of cements in terms of physical, chemical and mechanical properties. It was foundout that they all complied with the standards, that there was no significant difference intheir setting times and that the Portland cement had higher strengths than the PLC. It was also observed that there was a slightly lower water demand for the same consistency when compared to OPC and hence there is an improvement of the cohesiveness of a concrete mix when PLC is used. It was concluded, however, that the two cements are different and that using the two cements interchangeably as is done in Tanzania is wrong because they donot have equivalent strengths and therefore equivalent performance since the PLC is not ptimized. Portland-limestone cement (PLC) is known to offer significant energy savings and green house gas (GHG) reduction (up to 10% GHG savings) over conventional Portland cement while at the same time providing comparable performance if optimized.

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Indian Biofuel Progress, GHG Emission and GHG Savings by Biofuels: Comparative Assessment with World

Sustainable Biofuels Development in India ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-50219-9_22 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 541-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alok Satlewal ◽

Jitendra K. Saini ◽

Ruchi Agrawal ◽

Anshu Mathur ◽

Deepak K. Tuli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Assessment ◽

Ghg Emission ◽

Ghg Savings

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From conventional to renewable natural gas: can we expect GHG savings in the near term?

Biomass and Bioenergy ◽

10.1016/j.biombioe.2019.105396 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 131 ◽

pp. 105396 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rut Serra ◽

Iman Niknia ◽

David Paré ◽

Brian Titus ◽

Bruno Gagnon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Renewable Natural Gas ◽

Near Term ◽

Ghg Savings

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Households’ potential to decrease their environmental impacts

International Journal of Energy Sector Management ◽

10.1108/ijesm-02-2019-0009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 193-212

Author(s):

Hannele Ahvenniemi ◽

Tarja Häkkinen

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impacts ◽

Energy Use ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Research Approach ◽

Feedback Systems ◽

Household Energy ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact ◽

Ghg Savings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to quantify the potential levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) and cost savings from a set of households’ energy saving measures, considered as “everyday choices”. Design/methodology/approach Four areas of living were selected for the study: household electricity, space heating, transport and food consumption. The study used a quantitative research approach in which the impact of selected scenarios of an average Finnish household was assessed. Findings Findings suggest that GHG savings from behavioural change regarding household electricity remain marginal in comparison to savings gained from transportation related measures. Transportation also provides the most cost-efficient ways to decrease GHGs but not in all cases. Based on the results, the authors suggest that smart technologies, such as on-line, active feedback systems could have a major role in guiding household energy use. Also, given the high GHG savings from transport, the authors highlight the importance of providing infrastructure and services for clean mobility, and in designing well-functioning and compact cities enabling shorter travels. Originality/value The aim of our study was twofold – by analysing the case household’s choices, we obtained information on environmental and economic impacts, but in addition to this, the aim was to open discussion on the role of households in tackling climate change and how to support households in making sustainable choices. Although research regarding household energy behaviour is vast, so far very few studies have focused on both economic and environmental impacts of households’ everyday actions.

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