Title:
Biogas from Clover-Grass: Sustainability for Environment and Economy
Author(s):
Schöberl, W., Zerle, P.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This study assesses the environmental and economical sustainability of biogas production from clovergrass and examines the uncertainty of the results mathematically. Based on real data of a biogas plant in Germany costs and greenhouse gases are calculated and compared to a plant using maize. Then the CO2-abatement costs of changing the biogas substrate from maize to clover-grass are derived. Since most input parameters vary geographically and annually or can only be estimated the outcome can mathematically be viewed as a random variable. Therefore statistical methods are employed to assess the uncertainty of the results. The study shows that greenhouse-gas emissions per kWh are significantly lower if a biogas plant uses clover-grass rather than maize. The CO2-abatement costs range at 30 Euro/t, its expected value at 7 Euro/t. In contrast to maize the impact of clover-grass cultivation on soil and water is positive. Costs are a little higher, but this is outweighted easily by the fact that clovergrass does not compete with cash crops due to its position in crop rotation. Therefore the use of clover-grass or other legumes in biogas plants must be supported more.
Keywords:
agricultural biogas plant, CO2 reduction, energy crops, environmental impact, soil fertility, sustainability
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Sustainability assessment and criteria
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP5.2.40
Pages:
2667 - 2670
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP5.2.40
Price:
FREE
