Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets of Forest Residues for Bioenergy in Queensland, Australia

Harnessing sustainably sourced forest biomass for renewable energy is well-established in some parts of the developed world. Forest-based bioenergy has the potential to offset carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, thereby playing a role in climate change mitigation. Despite having an established commercial forestry industry, with large quantities of residue generated each year, there is limited use for forest biomass for renewable energy in Queensland, and Australia more broadly. The objective of this study was to identify the carbon dioxide mitigation potential of replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy generated from forest harvest residues harnessed from commercial plantations of Pinus species in southeast Queensland. An empirical-based full carbon accounting model (FullCAM) was used to simulate the accumulation of carbon in harvest residues. The results from the FullCAM modelling were further analysed to identify the energy substitution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets of three bioenergy scenarios. The results of the analysis suggest that the greatest opportunity to avoid or offset emissions is achieved when combined heat and power using residue feedstocks replaces coal-fired electricity. The results of this study suggest that forest residue bioenergy is a viable alternative to traditional energy sources, offering substantive emission reductions, with the potential to contribute towards renewable energy and emission reduction targets in Queensland. The approach used in this case study will be valuable to other regions exploring bioenergy generation from forest or other biomass residues.

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Can the 1.5 ℃ warming target be met in a global transition to 100% renewable energy?

AIMS Energy ◽

10.3934/energy.2021054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 1170-1191

Author(s):

Peter Schwartzman ◽

◽

David Schwartzman ◽

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Climate Mitigation ◽

Energy Poverty ◽

Global Energy ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation

<abstract> First, we recognize the valuable previous studies which model renewable energy growth with complete termination of fossil fuels along with assumptions of the remaining carbon budgets to reach IPCC warming targets. However, these studies use very complex combined economic/physical modeling and commonly lack transparency regarding the sensitivity to assumed inputs. Moreover, it is not clear that energy poverty with its big present impact in the global South has been eliminated in their scenarios. Further, their CO2-equivalent natural gas emission factors are underestimated, which will have significant impact on the computed greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, we address this question in a transparent modeling study: can the 1.5 ℃ warming target still be met with an aggressive phaseout of fossil fuels coupled with a 100% replacement by renewable energy? We compute the continuous generation of global wind/solar energy power along with the cumulative carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in a complete phaseout of fossil fuels over a 20 year period. We compare these computed emissions with the state-of-the-science estimates for the remaining carbon budget of carbon dioxide emissions consistent with the 1.5 ℃ warming target, concluding that it is still possible to meet this warming target if the creation of a global 100% renewable energy transition of sufficient capacity begins very soon which will likely be needed to power aggressive negative carbon emission technology. The latter is focused on direct air capture for crustal storage. More efficient renewable technologies in the near future will make this transition easier and promote the implementation of a global circular economy. Taking into account technological improvements in 2nd law (exergy) efficiencies reducing the necessary global energy demand, the renewable supply should likely be no more than 1.5 times the present level, with the capacity to eliminate global energy poverty, for climate mitigation and adaptation. </abstract>

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The U.S. Energy System and the Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel From Clean Electricity

Frontiers in Energy Research ◽

10.3389/fenrg.2021.765360 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan L. Male ◽

Michael C. W. Kintner-Meyer ◽

Robert S. Weber

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Energy System ◽

Aviation Fuel ◽

Commercial Aviation ◽

The Future ◽

The U.S

Jet fuel is relatively small in terms of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions (10% of U.S. transportation sector in 2021, expected to increase to 14% by 2050). Still airlines have ambitious goals to reduce their greenhouse footprints from carbon-neutral growth beginning this year to reducing greenhouse gas emission for international flights by 50% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. The challenge is heightened by the longevity of the current fleet (30–50 years) and by the difficulty in electrifying the future fleet because only 5% of the commercial aviation greenhouse gas footprint is from regional flights that might, conceivably be electrified using foreseeable technology. Therefore, large amounts of sustainable aviation fuel will be needed to reach the aggressive targets set by airlines. Only 3 million gallons (11.4 ML) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) (with a heat of combustion totaling about 400 TJ = 0.0004 EJ) was produced in the U.S. in 2019 for a 26 billion gallon per year market (3.6 EJ/year). Fischer-Tropsch and ethanol oligomerization (alcohol-to-jet) are considered for producing SAF, including the use of renewable electricity and carbon dioxide. In sequencing the energy transition, cleaning the U.S. grid is an important first step to have the largest greenhouse gas emissions reduction. While carbon dioxide and clean electricity can potentially provide the SAF in the future, an ethanol oligomerization option will require less energy.

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CO2 Mitigation in the Power Sector of Thailand: Analyses of Cleaner Supply-side Options Beyond the Paris Agreement

The Open Environmental Research Journal ◽

10.2174/1874213001912010015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 15-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lyheang Chhay ◽

Bundit Limmeechokchai

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Carbon Tax ◽

Supply Side ◽

Power Sector ◽

Power Development

Background: The drastically increasing share of fossil fuel supply to meet the rapidly growing electricity demand resulting in increasing Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, is the major concern in Thailand. In 2015, fossil fuels used in electricity generation in Thailand accounted for around 85.3% of the total electricity generation. Aim: The aim of the study is to analyze carbon dioxide mitigation options under the cleaner supply-side option beyond the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of Thailand. Methods: In this study, the Long-range Energy Planning (LEAP) model is used to analyze the share of electricity generation and CO2 mitigation from four main different scenarios, namely Business-as-Usual (BAU), Renewable Energy (RE), Carbon Capture Storage (CCS), and Carbon Tax (CT) scenarios during 2015 to 2050. The BAU scenario is constructed following the power development targets of the Power Development Plan in 2015. Results: The results illustrate that in the BAU scenario, electricity generation and carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector will increase by 57.7% and 37.3%, respectively in 2050 as compared to 2015. The imposition of carbon tax of $20/tCO2 from 2020 and an increase to $500/t CO2 by 2050 will have a high potential to reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector as compared with other scenarios. Conclusion: Results show that except for the RE scenarios considering the lower share of solar and biomass, all scenarios would help Thailand in achieving the target of INDC by 2030. Results provide that the share of imported electricity is higher with the imposition of carbon tax as compared to the scenarios with the promotion of renewable energy, CCS and EV technology.

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Can the 1.5 deg C warming target be met in a global transition to 100% renewable energy?

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10444 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

David Schwartzman ◽

Peter Schwartzman

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Energy Status ◽

Energy Technologies ◽

Air Capture ◽

State Of The Science

Can the 1.5 deg C warming target still be met with an aggressive phaseout of fossil fuels coupled with a 100% replacement by renewable energy?&#160;&#160;We address this question in our modeling study by computing the continuous generation of global wind/solar energy power along with the cumulative carbon dioxide equivalent emissions&#160;in a complete phaseout of fossil fuels over a 20 year period. We assume a baseline of energy status at 2018, as well as the EROI of currently available wind/solar energy technologies.&#160;&#160;We compare these computed emissions with the state-of-the-science estimates for the remaining carbon budget of carbon dioxide emissions consistent with the 1.5 deg C warming target. Our conclusion is that it is still possible to meet this warming target if the creation of a global 100% renewable energy transition of sufficient capacity begins very soon, coupled with aggressive negative carbon emissions. The latter technology uses a fraction of total renewable energy delivery for direct air capture for permanent crustal storage over the last ten years of this energy transition that is compatible for simulations with no more than 10 to 15 % reinvestment of renewable energy to make more of itself. More efficient renewable technologies in the near future will make this transition easier.&#160;&#160;The maximum amount of fossil fuel consumed in our scenarios for the complete transition is no more than 5% of the proven reserves of coal, natural gas and oil as currently estimated.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;

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A holistic evaluation of the impact of UK renewable strategy on emissions

10.31224/osf.io/d9ypk ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adriaan Smuts Van Niekerk ◽

Peter Kay

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Test Procedure ◽

Exhaust Emissions ◽

Ternary Blend ◽

Practical Reasons ◽

Engine Emissions ◽

The Impact

Reduction in fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gases, and improvement of air quality from vehicle emissions is of growing concern worldwide. This has led to the introduction of several binding and non-binding agreements, such as the Renewable Energy Directive to increase the renewable content of fuel for transportation, the carbon dioxide emissions standards to limit the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and the Euro Standards to limit the amount of emissions harmful to human health in the exhaust. However, the influence of the fuel composition on hazardous exhaust emissions is a complex, and often contradictory, relationship between factors such as the fuel properties, combustion characteristics and engine load. Therefore policy implemented to improve one aspect, such as a reduction in carbon dioxide, can have a detrimental effect on another such as increased NOx emissions.This paper analyses, in a holistic manner, the impact on carbon dioxide and harmful emissions from transient compression ignition engines when increasing the renewable content of the fuel to meet the renewable energy targets. The analysis is based on a model developed from a rigorous Design of Experiment methodology used to determine the complex relationship between renewable fuel content and exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides). Unlike other studies, the results were collected from a transient engine cycle, the World Harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure, rather than steady state conditions, thus the results are more applicable to the real world.The results generally show that as the amount of ethanol is increased then the NOx and CO emissions decrease compared to current pump diesel. Increasing the biodiesel content generally increases the CO and CO2 emissions from the engine. For practical reasons a ternary blend is required to minimise the diesel engine emissions whilst meeting the UK’s future renewable content target. A blend of B2.4E10 was found to be the optimum compromise between renewable content and engine emissions. However, for this to be achieved the UK will have to invest in second and third generation ethanol.

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Greenhouse gas emission from motor vehicles in Poland in 2015

Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych ◽

10.2478/oszn-2018-0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 9-13

Author(s):

Zdzisław Chłopek ◽

Anna Olecka ◽

Krystian Szczepański

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽

Road Transport ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Motor Vehicles ◽

Gas Emission ◽

Gas Emissions

Abstract The article presents the results of the inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles in Poland in 2015. The inventory was developed in accordance with the applicable guidelines for the annual greenhouse gas emission inventory (Decision 24/CP.19 of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) by the National Centre for Emissions Management and Balancing (KOBiZE) at the Institute of Environmental Protection – the National Research Institute. The national annual gas emissions from road transport are presented, including: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide along with emissions of the above gases converted into carbon dioxide equivalents. Carbon dioxide makes up the largest share in carbon dioxide emissions. This is particularly evident in the case of road transport – the emission of gases other than carbon dioxide (methane and nitrous oxide) is several orders of magnitude lower than the emission of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide emissions from road transport account currently for approximately 14% of the total carbon dioxide emission in Poland.

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Carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles fuelled with ethanol mixtures

Journal of Energy in Southern Africa ◽

10.17159/2413-3051/2005/v16i3a3116 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 53-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

PJ Lloyd

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Crude Oil ◽

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Lower Energy ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Gas Emissions ◽

Volume Percentage ◽

Natural Sources

The growing interest in the possible use of ethanol from natural sources to blend with petrol (gasoline) derived from crude oil (or synthesis from other fossil fuels) should be supported by knowledge of the likely effect on greenhouse gas emissions. This contribution estimates the emission of CO2 from petrolethanol blends as a function of the volume percentage ethanol in the blend and the consumption of petrol/100km in the average vehicle. The effect of the ethanol having a lower energy per unit mass or volume than petrol is specifically taken into account.

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Impact of Wind-Assisted Technologies on Resistance and Stability of Commercial Ship

CFD Letters ◽

10.37934/cfdl.13.11.95115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 95-115

Author(s):

Aditya Agung Haripriyono ◽

Yaseen Adnan Ahmed ◽

Mohammed Abdul Hannan

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Wind Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Cfd Simulation ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽

Wind Speeds ◽

Low Wind Speed ◽

The Impact

The use of fossil fuels on commercial ships significantly contributes to the increase of carbon dioxide emission, and adaptation of renewable energy can help control that emission efficiently. Historically, the extraction of wind energy is found to be the best renewable energy solution for commercial ships; and recently, with renewed interest in this area, various wind energy extraction devices are proposed in the literature. This study investigates the effectiveness of one such technology, wing-sail, on a tanker ship. The NACA 4412 series is adopted to design the sail in this regard, and a fowler flap is added to aid the sail in low wind speed. ANSYS Fluent is used to carry out this CFD simulation-based study. The effects of onboard wing-sails under various apparent wind angles, wind speeds, and wing-sail orientations have been examined. The impact of wing-sail on the stability of the ship is also analyzed. It is concluded that the ship can save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8% to 2.4% while using the wing-sail with the aid of a fowler flap. Also, this combination of wing-sail with the fowler flap is found to be the best in providing extra thrust for commercial ships without significantly sacrificing its stability.

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THE IMPACT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION ON CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS - THE CASE OF SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES

Revista Brasileira de Energias Renováveis ◽

10.5380/rber.v7i2.58266 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Matheus Da Costa Koengkan ◽

José Alberto Fuinhas

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

South American ◽

Renewable Energy Consumption ◽

Distributed Lag ◽

Long Run ◽

The Impact

The impact of renewable energy consumption on the carbon dioxide emissions was analyzed for a panel of ten South American countries in a period from 1980 to 2012. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Methodology was used in order to decompose the total effect of renewable energy consumption on the carbon dioxide emissions in its short- and long-run components. The results indicate that the consumption of renewable energy reduce the carbon dioxide emissions in -0.0420 % when the consumption of alternative sources increases in 1% in short-run. The empirical evidence shows that the renewable consumption plays an important role in reducing CO2 emissions and that the economic growth and energy consumption in the South American countries are still based on fossil fuels. Keywords: Environmental, Energy economics, Econometric.

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