Paper details

Title:

GHG Emissions for Biofuel Production Based on Cassava and Palm Oil in Thailand

Author(s):

Siemers, W.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Biofuels in use in Thailand are bioethanol from cassava and biodiesel from oil palm products. For both biofuels an expansion is foreseen to reach the political targets. This would have implications on the land use in Thailand. The whole land use change mechanisms are therefore analyzed and models are discussed to quantify the impact of these changes on the final energy and GHG balance. Together with results from the life­cycle analysis of the biofuel production chain the calculated values are compared with the upcoming regulations for the European Union under the RED (Renewable Energy Directive). For cassava based bioethanol the impact of land use change is limited as the available area and production level can supply enough feedstock for biofuel production. In case land use change has to be considered the impact is small but it increases the total GHG balance. Contrarily, for biodiesel there is an expansion of plantation area in oil palm necessary. Shifts are happening mainly from annual crops, unutilized lands and from other perennial cultivations. However, the combined effect could reduce total GHG emissions if compared with values without inclusion of land use change. The whole chain perspective for bioethanol from cassava is dominated by the energy demand in the refinery step. If fossil fuels are used, it disqualifies this option as not sustainable. For biodiesel from palm oil only qualitative assessments are possible at this stage but the prospects for the whole chain GHG emissions including land use change are generally better.

Keywords:

greenhouse gases (GHG), land use, life cycle assessment (LCA), sustainability criteria, biofuels

Topic:

Policies and ensuring sustainability

Subtopic:

Sustainability criteria of biofuels (session 2)

Event:

18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

OC6.5

Pages:

2051 - 2057

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-56-1

ISBN-10:

88-89407-56-5

Paper DOI:

10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-OC6.5

Price:

FREE