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A life cycle assessment of biodiesel derived from the “niche filling” energy crop camelina in the USA

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  • Krohn, Brian J.
  • Fripp, Matthias

Abstract

Camelina sativa (L.) is a promising crop for biodiesel production that avoids many of the potential pitfalls of traditional biofuel crops, such as land use change (LUC) and food versus fuel. In this study the environmental viability of camelina biodiesel was assessed using life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology. The LCA was conducted using the spreadsheet model dubbed KABAM. KABAM found that camelina grown as a niche filling crop (in rotation with wheat or as a double crop) reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil fuel use by 40–60% when compared to petroleum diesel. Furthermore, by avoiding LUC emissions, camelina biodiesel emits fewer GHGs than traditional soybean and canola biodiesel. Finally, a sensitivity analysis concluded that in order to maintain and increase the environmental viability of camelina and other niche filling biofuel crops, researchers and policy makers should focus their efforts on achieving satisfactory yields (1000–2000kg/ha) while reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs.

Suggested Citation

  • Krohn, Brian J. & Fripp, Matthias, 2012. "A life cycle assessment of biodiesel derived from the “niche filling” energy crop camelina in the USA," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 92-98.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:92:y:2012:i:c:p:92-98
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.10.025
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    3. John M. Antle & Seojin Cho & S. M. Hossein Tabatabaie & Roberto O. Valdivia, 2019. "Economic and environmental performance of dryland wheat-based farming systems in a 1.5 °C world," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 165-180, February.
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    5. Iris Montero-Muñoz & David Mostaza-Colado & Aníbal Capuano & Pedro V. Mauri Ablanque, 2023. "Seed and Straw Characterization of Nine New Varieties of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Yang, Liuqing & Takase, Mohammed & Zhang, Min & Zhao, Ting & Wu, Xiangyang, 2014. "Potential non-edible oil feedstock for biodiesel production in Africa: A survey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 461-477.
    7. Sainger, Manish & Jaiwal, Anjali & Sainger, Poonam Ahlawat & Chaudhary, Darshna & Jaiwal, Ranjana & Jaiwal, Pawan K., 2017. "Advances in genetic improvement of Camelina sativa for biofuel and industrial bio-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P1), pages 623-637.
    8. Miller, Patrick & Kumar, Amit, 2013. "Development of emission parameters and net energy ratio for renewable diesel from Canola and Camelina," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 426-437.
    9. Andrea Cecchin & Ghasideh Pourhashem & Russ W. Gesch & Yesuf A. Mohammed & Swetabh Patel & Andrew W. Lenssen & Marisol T. Berti, 2021. "The Environmental Impact of Ecological Intensification in Soybean Cropping Systems in the U.S. Upper Midwest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
    10. Bacenetti, Jacopo & Restuccia, Andrea & Schillaci, Gianpaolo & Failla, Sabina, 2017. "Biodiesel production from unconventional oilseed crops (Linum usitatissimum L. and Camelina sativa L.) in Mediterranean conditions: Environmental sustainability assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 444-456.
    11. Dao, Cuong N. & Tabil, Lope G. & Mupondwa, Edmund & Dumonceaux, Tim, 2023. "Microbial pretreatment of camelina straw and switchgrass by Trametes versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium to improve physical quality and enhance enzymatic digestibility of solid biofuel pellets," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    12. Hanna Karlsson Potter & Dalia M. M. Yacout & Kajsa Henryson, 2023. "Climate Assessment of Vegetable Oil and Biodiesel from Camelina Grown as an Intermediate Crop in Cereal-Based Crop Rotations in Cold Climate Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    13. Sabrina Spatari & Alexander Stadel & Paul R. Adler & Saurajyoti Kar & William J. Parton & Kevin B. Hicks & Andrew J. McAloon & Patrick L. Gurian, 2020. "The Role of Biorefinery Co-Products, Market Proximity and Feedstock Environmental Footprint in Meeting Biofuel Policy Goals for Winter Barley-to-Ethanol," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    14. Rajaeifar, Mohammad Ali & Akram, Asadolah & Ghobadian, Barat & Rafiee, Shahin & Heijungs, Reinout & Tabatabaei, Meisam, 2016. "Environmental impact assessment of olive pomace oil biodiesel production and consumption: A comparative lifecycle assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 87-102.
    15. Jankowski, Krzysztof J. & Sokólski, Mateusz, 2021. "Spring camelina: Effect of mineral fertilization on the energy efficiency of biomass production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    16. Piernicola Masella & Incoronata Galasso, 2020. "A Comparative Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Study of Bio-Energy Feedstock from Camelina sativa , an Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    17. Keshavarz-Afshar, Reza & Mohammed, Yesuf Assen & Chen, Chengci, 2015. "Energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions of dryland camelina as influenced by tillage and nitrogen," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1057-1063.

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