Title:
The Financial and GHG Cost of Avoiding ILUC in Biomass Sourcing - A Comparison between Switchgrass Produced with and without ILUC in Ukraine
Author(s):
Lesschen, J.P., Elbersen, H.W., Poppens, R., Galytskaya, M., Kylik, M., Lerminiaux, L.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Biomass production has both direct effects and indirect effects. Direct effects such as the energy balance and GHG balance can be directly measured, to make sure that impacts are (significantly) below the fossil fuel comparator. In recent years it has also been recognized that the production and use of biomass for energy has indirect effects which are caused by competition for inputs and land. The most important indirect effect is ILUC (indirect land use change) and the associated GHG emissions, which have been quantified in different studies. Avoiding ILUC is now becoming important. An important option is the use of land that would otherwise not be used for food or feed production. This generally means that lower quality or marginal land will be used. Switchgrass is one of the main perennial biomass crops that can produce high biomass yields under low input conditions and which can be established at low cost by seeds. In Ukraine this crop has in recent years been tested, yielding information that can be used to assess the cost and GHG balance of growing the crop, pelletizing, transport to the Netherlands and conversion into electricity. Results show that GHG emissions on low quality soil without ILUC (12.5 g CO2 MJ-1 pellet) are higher than for good quality soil grown switchgrass with ILUC (0.1 g CO2 MJ-1 pellet). Analysis of the costs of growing switchgrass on low productive soils are 22% higher compared to high quality soils. We conclude that ILUC avoidance needs to be quantified and rewarded.
Keywords:
costs, greenhouse gases (GHG), land use, pellet, switchgrass
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Assessment of bioenergy effects
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
5EP.1.3
Pages:
1988 - 1991
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-5EP.1.3
Price:
FREE
