IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v187y2017icp564-574.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Life cycle human health and ecotoxicological impacts assessment of electricity production from wood biomass compared to coal fuel

Author

Listed:
  • Weldu, Yemane W.
  • Assefa, Getachew
  • Jolliet, Olivier

Abstract

Analyzing human health and ecotoxicological impacts is crucial in the development of sustainable energy products and technologies. In this research, the human health and ecotoxicological impacts of electricity production from wood biomass were compared to coal fuel. Four bioenergy pathways based on forest residue, round wood chips, and wood pellet feedstocks were compared to direct-fired coal combustion pathway using a novel life cycle assessment approach. Bioenergy pathways significantly reduced both human health and ecosystem quality, when compared to coal fuel combustion. The reduction in toxicity ranged from 89 to 95% for carcinogenics, 68–81% for non carcinogenics, and 66–76% for ecotoxicity impacts, when compared to coal-fired electricity. Use of forest residue feedstock is the absolute option to reduce both human toxicity and ecotoxicity impacts. On the other hand, the respiratory effect of coal fuel was lower by approximately 60–72%, when compared to bioenergy pathways. The respiratory effects impact of all energy pathways is primarily a result of fuel combustion at power plant. Improvements in power plant efficiency, silviculture management, and reduced transport distance have the potential to reduce the respiratory effects of bioenergy systems. Bioenergy can assist Alberta’s Climate Leadership plan in the production of sustainable electricity.

Suggested Citation

  • Weldu, Yemane W. & Assefa, Getachew & Jolliet, Olivier, 2017. "Life cycle human health and ecotoxicological impacts assessment of electricity production from wood biomass compared to coal fuel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 564-574.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:187:y:2017:i:c:p:564-574
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.11.101
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261916317330
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.11.101?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alessandra Zamagni & Paolo Masoni & Patrizia Buttol & Andrea Raggi & Roberto Buonamici, 2012. "Finding Life Cycle Assessment Research Direction with the Aid of Meta‐Analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(s1), pages 39-52, April.
    2. Thakur, Amit & Canter, Christina E. & Kumar, Amit, 2014. "Life-cycle energy and emission analysis of power generation from forest biomass," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 246-253.
    3. Dzikuć, Maciej & Piwowar, Arkadiusz, 2016. "Ecological and economic aspects of electric energy production using the biomass co-firing method: The case of Poland," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 856-862.
    4. Adrian K. James & Ronald W. Thring & Steve Helle & Harpuneet S. Ghuman, 2012. "Ash Management Review—Applications of Biomass Bottom Ash," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Turconi, Roberto & Tonini, Davide & Nielsen, Christian F.B. & Simonsen, Christian G. & Astrup, Thomas, 2014. "Environmental impacts of future low-carbon electricity systems: Detailed life cycle assessment of a Danish case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 66-73.
    6. Vamvuka, D., 2009. "Comparative fixed/fluidized bed experiments for the thermal behaviour and environmental impact of olive kernel ash," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 158-164.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Maciej Dzikuć & Arkadiusz Piwowar & Szymon Szufa & Janusz Adamczyk & Maria Dzikuć, 2021. "Potential and Scenarios of Variants of Thermo-Modernization of Single-Family Houses: An Example of the Lubuskie Voivodeship," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Maciej Dzikuć & Joanna Wyrobek & Łukasz Popławski, 2021. "Economic Determinants of Low-Carbon Development in the Visegrad Group Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Algunaibet, Ibrahim M. & Pozo, Carlos & Galán-Martín, Ángel & Guillén-Gosálbez, Gonzalo, 2019. "Quantifying the cost of leaving the Paris Agreement via the integration of life cycle assessment, energy systems modeling and monetization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 588-601.
    4. Loução, Pedro O. & Ribau, João P. & Ferreira, Ana F., 2019. "Life cycle and decision analysis of electricity production from biomass – Portugal case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 452-480.
    5. Cho, Hannah Hyunah & Strezov, Vladimir, 2021. "Comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of Australian thermal power stations using direct emission data and GIS integrated methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    6. Raghava Rao Kommalapati & Iqbal Hossan & Venkata Sai Vamsi Botlaguduru & Hongbo Du & Ziaul Huque, 2018. "Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Biomass Co-Firing with Coal at a Power Plant in the Greater Houston Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Choi, Minsung & Park, Yeseul & Deng, Kaiwen & Li, Xinzhuo & Kim, Kibeom & Sung, Yonmo & Hwang, Taegam & Choi, Gyungmin, 2022. "Effects of exhaust tube vortex on the in-furnace phenomena in a swirl-stabilized pulverized coal flame," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    8. Choi, Minsung & Park, Yeseul & Li, Xinzhuo & Kim, Kibeom & Sung, Yonmo & Hwang, Taegam & Choi, Gyungmin, 2021. "Numerical evaluation of pulverized coal swirling flames and NOx emissions in a coal-fired boiler: Effects of co- and counter-swirling flames and coal injection modes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    9. Choi, Minsung & Kim, Kibeom & Li, Xinzhuo & Deng, Kaiwen & Park, Yeseul & Seo, Minseok & Sung, Yonmo & Choi, Gyungmin, 2020. "Strategic combustion technology with exhaust tube vortex flame: Combined effect of biomass co-firing and air-staged combustion on combustion characteristics and ash deposition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    10. Robert Baťa & Jan Fuka & Petra Lešáková & Jana Heckenbergerová, 2019. "CO 2 Efficiency Break Points for Processes Associated to Wood and Coal Transport and Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-21, October.
    11. Weldu, Yemane W., 2017. "Life cycle human health and ecosystem quality implication of biomass-based strategies to climate change mitigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 11-18.
    12. Choi, Minsung & Hwang, Taegam & Park, Yeseul & Li, Xinzhuo & Kim, Junsung & Kim, Kibeom & Sung, Yonmo & Choi, Gyungmin, 2023. "Numerical evaluation of the effect of swirl configuration and fuel-rich environment on combustion and emission characteristics in a coal-fired boiler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    13. Cartelle Barros, Juan José & Lara Coira, Manuel & de la Cruz López, María Pilar & del Caño Gochi, Alfredo & Soares, Isabel, 2020. "Probabilistic multicriteria environmental assessment of power plants: A global approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    14. Prestipino, Mauro & Salmeri, Fabio & Cucinotta, Filippo & Galvagno, Antonio, 2021. "Thermodynamic and environmental sustainability analysis of electricity production from an integrated cogeneration system based on residual biomass: A life cycle approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Munawar, Muhammad Assad & Khoja, Asif Hussain & Naqvi, Salman Raza & Mehran, Muhammad Taqi & Hassan, Muhammad & Liaquat, Rabia & Dawood, Usama Fida, 2021. "Challenges and opportunities in biomass ash management and its utilization in novel applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    2. Weldu, Yemane W., 2017. "Life cycle human health and ecosystem quality implication of biomass-based strategies to climate change mitigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 11-18.
    3. Molino, A. & Nanna, F. & Villone, A., 2014. "Characterization of biomasses in the southern Italy regions for their use in thermal processes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 180-188.
    4. Oriana Gava & Fabio Bartolini & Francesca Venturi & Gianluca Brunori & Angela Zinnai & Alberto Pardossi, 2018. "A Reflection of the Use of the Life Cycle Assessment Tool for Agri-Food Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Andre Junior Ogliari & Talyta Zortea & Ana Paula Maccari & Elston Kraft & Luis Carlos Iunes Oliveira Filho & Dilmar Baretta & Carolina Riviera Duarte Maluche Baretta, 2020. "Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Forest Biomass Ash on Springtails and Earthworms in Subtropical Soils of Brazil," Journal of Agricultural Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 8(1), pages 208-226, March.
    6. Zhang, Xiaoyue & Huang, Guohe & Liu, Lirong & Li, Kailong, 2022. "Development of a stochastic multistage lifecycle programming model for electric power system planning – A case study for the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    7. Eksi, Guner & Karaosmanoglu, Filiz, 2017. "Combined bioheat and biopower: A technology review and an assessment for Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1313-1332.
    8. Raghava Rao Kommalapati & Iqbal Hossan & Venkata Sai Vamsi Botlaguduru & Hongbo Du & Ziaul Huque, 2018. "Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Biomass Co-Firing with Coal at a Power Plant in the Greater Houston Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, June.
    9. Kuznetsov, G.V. & Syrodoy, S.V. & Nigay, N.A. & Maksimov, V.I. & Gutareva, N.Yu., 2021. "Features of the processes of heat and mass transfer when drying a large thickness layer of wood biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 498-511.
    10. Klaimi, Rachid & Alnouri, Sabla Y. & Stijepović, Mirko, 2022. "Investigation of seasonal variations and multiple fuel options in a novel tri-generation CSP integrated hybrid energy process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    11. Frank Figge & Andrea Stevenson Thorpe & Siarhei Manzhynski & Melissa Gutberlet, 2022. "The us in reUSe. Theorizing the how and why of the circular economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(6), pages 2741-2753, September.
    12. Kis, Zoltán & Pandya, Nikul & Koppelaar, Rembrandt H.E.M., 2018. "Electricity generation technologies: Comparison of materials use, energy return on investment, jobs creation and CO2 emissions reduction," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 144-157.
    13. Blumberga, Dagnija & Blumberga, Andra & Barisa, Aiga & Rosa, Marika & Lauka, Dace, 2016. "Modelling the Latvian power market to evaluate its environmental long-term performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1593-1600.
    14. He, Jiaxin & Liu, Ying & Lin, Boqiang, 2018. "Should China support the development of biomass power generation?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 416-425.
    15. Ewa Chomać-Pierzecka & Hubert Gąsiński & Joanna Rogozińska-Mitrut & Dariusz Soboń & Sebastian Zupok, 2023. "Review of Selected Aspects of Wind Energy Market Development in Poland and Lithuania in the Face of Current Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, January.
    16. Kanoksilapatham, Wirojne & Ogawa, Makoto & Intagun, Weeranut, 2020. "Effects of clay and temperature on the slag formation of two biomass fuels: Wood from Acacia mangium and rhizome residual from Manihot esculenta," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 213-219.
    17. Hao Lv & Hao Ding & Dequn Zhou & Peng Zhou, 2014. "A Site Selection Model for a Straw-Based Power Generation Plant with CO 2 Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-16, October.
    18. Vukasinovic, Vladimir & Gordic, Dusan & Zivkovic, Marija & Koncalovic, Davor & Zivkovic, Dubravka, 2019. "Long-term planning methodology for improving wood biomass utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 818-829.
    19. Ding, Ning & Liu, Jingru & Yang, Jianxin & Yang, Dong, 2017. "Comparative life cycle assessment of regional electricity supplies in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 47-59.
    20. Liza Nuriati Lim Kim Choo & Osumanu Haruna Ahmed & Nik Muhamad Nik Majid & Zakry Fitri Abd Aziz, 2021. "Pineapple Residue Ash Reduces Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Pineapple Cultivation on Tropical Peat Soils at Saratok, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:187:y:2017:i:c:p:564-574. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.