scholarly journals Effects of Local Biomass Availability and Road Network Properties on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Biomass Supply Chain

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Jäppinen ◽  
O.-J. Korpinen ◽  
T. Ranta
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Biomass Supply ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Gis Methods ◽  
Biomass Availability

This study presents two case studies of 100 GWh of forest biomass supply: Rovaniemi in northern Finland and Mikkeli in south-eastern Finland. The study evaluates the effects of local biomass availability and road network properties on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of these two supply chains. The local forest biomass availability around the case study locations, truck transportation distances, and road network properties were analyzed by GIS methods to produce accurate and site-dependent data for the transportation emission calculations. The GHG emissions were then assessed by LCA methods. The total transportation distance to Rovaniemi was 22% larger than to Mikkeli, but the transportation derived GHG emissions were 31% larger. The results highlight the fact that local conditions should always be taken into account when assessing the sustainability of biomass-based energy production.

scholarly journals Lifecycle Assessment of Biomass Supply Chain with the Assistance of Agent-Based Modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghu KC ◽  
Mika Aalto ◽  
Olli-Jussi Korpinen ◽  
Tapio Ranta ◽  
Svetlana Proskurina
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Lifecycle Assessment ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Biomass Supply ◽  
Biomass Logistics ◽  
Temporal Aspects

Even though biomass is characterised as renewable energy, it produces anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially from biomass logistics. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is used as a tool to quantify the GHG emissions from logistics but in the past the majority of LCAs have been steady-state and linear, when in reality, non-linear and temporal aspects (such as weather conditions, seasonal biomass demand, storage capacity, etc.) also have an important role to play. Thus, the objective of this paper was to optimise the environmental sustainability of forest biomass logistics (in terms of GHG emissions) by introducing the dynamic aspects of the supply chain and using the geographical information system (GIS) and agent-based modelling (ABM). The use of the GIS and ABM adds local conditions to the assessment in order to make the study more relevant. In this study, GIS was used to investigate biomass availability, biomass supply points and the road network around a large-scale combined heat and power plant in Naantali, Finland. Furthermore, the temporal aspects of the supply chain (e.g., seasonal biomass demand and storage capacity) were added using ABM to make the assessment dynamic. Based on the outcomes of the GIS and ABM, a gate-to-gate LCA of the forest biomass supply chain was conducted in order to calculate GHG emissions. In addition to the domestic biomass, we added imported biomass from Riga, Latvia to the fuel mixture in order to investigate the effect of sea transportation on overall GHG emissions. Finally, as a sensitivity check, we studied the real-time measurement of biomass quality and its potential impact on overall logistical GHG emissions. According to the results, biomass logistics incurred GHG emissions ranging from 2.72 to 3.46 kg CO2-eq per MWh, depending on the type of biomass and its origin. On the other hand, having 7% imported biomass in the fuel mixture resulted in a 13% increase in GHG emissions. Finally, the real-time monitoring of biomass quality helped save 2% of the GHG emissions from the overall supply chain. The incorporation of the GIS and ABM helped in assessing the environmental impacts of the forest biomass supply chain in local conditions, and the combined approach looks promising for developing LCAs that are inclusive of the temporal aspects of the supply chain for any specific location.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Craft Beer Industry: an Assessment of Challenges and Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Accounting

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Shin ◽  
Cory Searcy
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Carbon Regulation ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
Beer Industry ◽  
Bottle Production

A growing number of companies in the brewery industry have made commitments to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, many brewers, particularly craft brewers with relatively low rates of production, have struggled to meet these commitments. The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges and benefits of measuring and reducing GHG emissions in the craft brewery industry. The research was conducted in Ontario, Canada, which has seen strong recent growth in the craft brewery industry. A case study and semi-structured interviews among Ontario Craft Brewers were conducted. The case study found that indirect (scope 3 emissions under the WBCSD & WRI GHG Protocol) GHG sources accounted for 46.4% of total GHGs, with major sources from barley agriculture, malted barley transportation, and bottle production. Direct emissions (scope 1) accounted for only 14.9% of GHGs, while scope 2 emissions, comprised mainly of energy consumption, accounted for 38.7% of GHGs. The case study and interviews found that the main challenges in calculating brewery GHGs are secondary data availability, technical knowledge, and finances. The study also found that the main benefits for Ontario breweries to measure their GHGs include sustainability marketing and preserving the environment. The interviews also found a poor understanding of carbon regulation among Ontario Craft Brewers, which is interesting considering that Ontario implemented a provincial cap and trade program in 2017.

scholarly journals Optimal Design of a Forest-Based Biomass Supply Chain Based on the Decision maker’s Viewpoint Towards Risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaghaygh Akhtari ◽  
Taraneh Sowlati ◽  
Verena C Griess
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Decision Maker ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Biomass Supply ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Future Events ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Biomass Availability

Abstract Economic viability is one of the main considerations in bioenergy and biofuel projects and is impacted by uncertainty in biomass availability, cost, and quality, and bioenergy and biofuel demand and prices. One important aspect of decisionmaking under uncertainty is the viewpoint of the decision maker towards risk, which is overlooked in the biomass supply chain management literature. In this paper, we address this gap by evaluating alternative supply chain designs taking into account uncertain future conditions resulting from changes in biomass availability and cost, and bioproduct and energy prices. Three decision rules, maximax, minimax regret, and maximin, representing, respectively, optimistic, opportunistic, and pessimistic perspectives, are used for evaluation. It is assumed that the decision maker has knowledge about the potential future events, but the likelihood of their occurrence is unknown. According to the results of the case study, investment in bioenergy and biofuel conversion facilities was recommended based on optimistic and opportunistic viewpoints. Production of both bienergy and biofuels would not be profitable under pessimistic conditions. Therefore, investment in only bienergy facilities was prescribed under pessimistic conditions.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Craft Beer Industry: An Assessment of Challenges and Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Accounting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Shin ◽  
Cory Searcy
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Carbon Regulation ◽  
Craft Beer ◽  
External Sources

A growing number of companies in the brewery industry have made commitments to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, many brewers, particularly craft brewers with relatively low rates of production, have not made such commitments. The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges and benefits of measuring and reducing GHG emissions in the craft brewery industry. The research was conducted in Ontario, Canada, which has seen strong recent growth in the craft brewery industry. A case study and semi-structured interviews among Ontario Craft Brewers were conducted. The case study found that indirect (scope 3 GHGs under the WBCSD & WRI GHG Protocol) GHG sources accounted for 46.4% of total GHGs, with major sources from barley agriculture, malted barley transportation, and bottle production. Direct emissions (scope 1) accounted for only 14.9% of GHGs, while scope 2 emissions, comprised mainly of energy consumption, accounted for 38.7% of GHGs. The case study used case company primary data, and secondary data such as emission factors from external sources. The case study and interviews found that the main challenges in calculating brewery GHGs are secondary data availability, technical knowledge, and finances. The semi-structured interviews, which used prepared interview questions and probes to encourage follow-up answers, also found that the main benefits for Ontario breweries to measure their GHGs include sustainability marketing and preserving the environment. The interviews also found a poor understanding of carbon regulation among Ontario Craft Brewers, which is interesting considering that Ontario implemented a provincial cap and trade program in 2017.

AGRICULTURE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHALLENGES – THE PROBLEM OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol XXI (2) ◽  
pp. 246-255
Author(s):  
Hanna Pondel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Local Conditions

Changes in seasonal weather cycles, a growing number of extreme phenomena, an upward trend in temperature and changes in the distribution of rainfall, significantly affect the functioning and effectiveness of agriculture. However, agriculture plays a major role in the emergence and intensification of these phenomena. The aim of the article is to present, analyse and evaluate the relations between agriculture and climate, with particular emphasis on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture in these relations. A cause-and-effect analysis was conducted based on literature studies, using the descriptive statistics method and analysis of the development trend. The basis for analysis were data on GHG emissions in the European Union (EU-28). The contribution of agriculture to the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, albeit slightly but still increasing in recent years. The level of this emission is determined primarily by the type of agricultural activity conducted – animal production is definitely responsible for higher emissions than plant production. It is difficult to present a universal model of agricultural adaptation to climate change and a set of actions limiting the negative impact of agricultural production on climate. This is hindered by both the specificity of the agricultural sector and the large diversity of local conditions and applied farming practices. The opportunity to increase the effectiveness of actions taken may be a better connection between the implementation of objectives including the reduction of the causes and negative consequences of climate change and the objectives of sustainable agricultural development.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Sustainable Bio-Oil Production Using a Mixed Supply Chain

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Mirkouei ◽  
Karl R. Haapala ◽  
John Sessions ◽  
Ganti S. Murthy
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Renewable Resource ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Bio Oil ◽  
Potential Benefits

Recent growing interest in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires the application of effective energy solutions, such as the utilization of renewable resources. Biomass represents a promising renewable resource for bioenergy, since it has the potential to reduce GHG emissions from various industry sectors. In spite of the potential benefits, biomass is limited due to logistical challenges of collection and transport to bio-refineries. This study proposes a forest biomass-to-bio-oil mixed supply chain network to reduce the GHG emissions compared to a conventional bioenergy supply chain. The mixed supply chain includes mixed-mode bio-refineries and mixed-pathway transportation. Life cycle assessment is conducted for a case study in the Pacific Northwest with the assistance of available life cycle inventory data for biomass-to-bio-oil supply chain. Impact assessment, on a global warming potential (GWP) basis, is conducted with the assistance of databases within SimaPro 8 software. Sensitivity analysis for the case investigated indicates that using the mixed supply chain can reduce GHG emissions by 2–5% compared to the traditional supply chain.

scholarly journals Methodology for Quantitative Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction of Solar-Powered Wi-Fi

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 2829
Author(s):  
Samah Temim ◽  
Farid Bensebaa ◽  
Larbi Talbi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Ghg Mitigation ◽  
Access Points ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Solar Powered

In this paper, a modeling framework to quantify the reduction of potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when using solar-powered Wi-Fi as an internet access point is developed and tested. This framework includes newly developed MATLAB code and the use of the ATOLL tool for energy consumption and network optimization, respectively. A practical case study is described with scenarios enabling different signal coverage on a university campus. These scenarios are based on technical requirements, including number of access points, budget link, and access duration. Four hundred tons of GHG can be reduced each year if solar Wi-Fi is deployed in solar campuses, which represents 5.5 × 10−5 percent of the total GHG produced by the telecommunications sector. A direct relationship between the number of access points and coverage signal quality on the one hand and energy consumption on the other hand is established. We use this case study to forecast the potential GHG mitigation if a wider deployment of the community Wi-Fi is achieved. This methodology could also be used to estimate GHG reductions when other wireless technologies are deployed.

scholarly journals Environmental Impacts of Introducing LNG as Alternative Fuel for Urban Buses – Case Study in Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 837-847
Author(s):  
Martin Jurkovič ◽  
Tomáš Kalina ◽  
Tomáš Skrúcaný ◽  
Piotr Gorzelanczyk ◽  
Vladimír Ľupták
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Liquefied Natural Gas ◽  
European Standard ◽  
Bus Transport

The aim of the paper is to assess the possibility of decreasing the chosen environmental indicators like energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) production and other exhaust pollutants in the selected region in Slovakia by introducing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) buses into bus transport. The assessment is carried out by comparing the consumption and emissions of current buses (EURO 2) in real operation, with potential buses (EURO 6) and with pilot LNG buses testing on the same lines. Comparison took place under the same conditions over the same period. The study measures the energy consumption and GHG production per bus. The research paper also compares two methodologies of calculation. The first calculation is according to the European Standard EN 16258: 2012 which specifies the general methodology for evaluation and declaration of energy consumption and GHG emissions (all services - cargo, passengers or both). The second calculation is according to the Handbook of Emission Factors for Road Transport (HBEFA). The results of the calculation are compared  by both methods, and the most suitable version of the bus in terms of GHG emissions is proposed.

scholarly journals Comparative Study on Coolbox/Waterloop and Natural Refrigerants Solutions for Commercial Refrigeration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Rui Ribeiro de Almeida ◽  
Cláudia S.S.L. Casaca
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Emission Studies

This paper presents some natural and artificial solutions for reducing the use of HFCs in commercial refrigeration systems to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere. Additionally, the case study of a medium size supermarket is addressed. For this, a series of cooling systems have been sized which are divided into Coolbox/Waterloop systems and centralized systems. Three centralized systems with R410a, R717 and R744/R717 were dimensioned as well as a Coolbox/Waterloop system with R410a. This way is possible to ensure a comparison not only between fluids but also between the Coolbox/Waterloop technology and the centralized solution. After sizing the systems, the comparative energy, economic and carbon emission studies of the systems, in which their application has been found to be possible, are presented. After analysing the systems covered and the studies performed, it is concluded not only about the best applicable system, but also about the limitations found in each of the others. Keywords: Natural refrigerants, Commercial refrigeration, Coolbox, Waterloop

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