Vehicle Fuel Economy and Specifications Key Assumptions for Fuel Production Pathways

Because different studies have different system boundaries and parametric assumptions, the studies described in Section 7 resulted in different magnitudes of changes in energy use and GHG emissions. The GREET model was used to develop the results presented in this section. In conducting the analyses with the GREET model, key assumptions were specified by taking into account the results from various completed studies. Because some of the vehicle/fuel systems are emerging technologies and are not in the marketplace yet, all technologies were analyzed for the time frame around 2010, so that both emerging technologies and technologies already in the marketplace can be compared within the same period. (more…)

Bioenergy from Dependent Resources (Forestry, Vegetable Oils, Waste)

Agricultural and forestry residues provide the largest proportion of biomass used for the production of biomas bioenergy. Some estimates suggest that globally available biomass role in the form of recoverable residues represents about 40 Ejyr -1, enough to meet 10% of the total present energy use of 406 Ejyr -1 . However, realizing this potential is limited by factors such as ease and cost of recovery and environmental concerns relating to sustainable land use practices. (more…)

Wood Products’ Role as Carbon Sink Sources

To date, most discussion and research relating to the various of biomass role in mitigating CO2 emissions has been focused around its use as a fuel or as a sink. However, full utilization of the potential of biomass products, particularly from woody biomass, may provide significant opportunities. (more…)

Biomass Role in Global Climate Change and Global Environmental Policy

Climate change caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect is one of the most significant global environmental issues. Increased emissions of GHG to the atmosphere, most notably CO2 , are considered the main cause of global climate change. Increasing energy consumption, a reliance on fossil fuels to meet these needs, and deforestation related to land use change are the main sources of increasing atmospheric CO2. (more…)

Bioenergy as Carbon Neutral Energy Source

Bioenergy produced from biomass is sometimes called a carbon-neutral energy source, because the same quantity of carbon released when the biomass is burned is sequestered again when the crop or forest is re-grown. Referring to bioenergy as carbon neutral or having zero net emissions may be misleading; there are emissions associated with producing biomass, such as from fossil fuel used in cultivation, harvest, processing and transport, and in manufacture and construction of fuel conversion technology. (more…)

Modernizing Bioenergy – Biomass as Energy Source

modernizing bioenergy biomass
Estimation of the future technical potential of biomass as an energy source is dependent on assumptions with respect to land availability and productivity as well as conversion technologies. With the emergence of energy crops as the major source of biomass fuel, land use conflicts, especially in relation to food production, may arise. However, with efficient agricultural practices, plantations and crops could supply a large proportion of energy needs, with residues playing a smaller role without compromising food production or further intensifying agricultural practices. (more…)