Title:
Sustainability Assessment of Growing and Using Willow for CHP Production
Author(s):
Kamp, A., Østergård, H., Gylling, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess to which extent bioenergy from willow can be considered renewable. Also, it was intended to show on how many and on which types of resources the production of bioenergy from willow depends. Material, energy, labour and service inputs in the production, transport and combustion of willow into heat and power in a large combined heat and power (CHP) plant were identified. The study was based on inputs to growing willow under commercial conditions in Denmark. Data for transport and combustion of willow biomass into heat and power were found in the literature. The inventory of inputs made it possible to perform two assessments, an emergy analysis and a Gross Energy Requirement (GER) analysis and to calculate four indicators of efficiency and sustainability of energy production. The analyses led to conclusions concerning sustainability and energy conversion efficiency and it allowed for the identification of main differences between the two methods. Results of the emergy study revealed that willow should not be considered a primary energy source since production of CHP from willow is dependent on large inputs of fuels and materials. Furthermore, considered in an emergy perspective, CHP from willow was found to be only 16% renewable.
Keywords:
bioenergy, combined heat and power generation (CHP), energy balance, sustainability, willow, emergy
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Sustainability assessment and criteria
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP5.2.36
Pages:
2645 - 2656
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP5.2.36
Price:
FREE
