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Spatial optimization of the food, energy, and water nexus: A life cycle assessment-based approach

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  • Yuan, Kuang-Yu
  • Lin, Ying-Chen
  • Chiueh, Pei-Te
  • Lo, Shang-Lien

Abstract

Since the Bonn 2011 Conference, the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus has become one of the most popular global research topics. Understanding and addressing the complex interactions between the FEW components is essential for sustainable development. This study proposes an environmental impact minimization model, which considers the FEW nexus under four climate change scenarios, to optimize the spatial distribution of three energy crops (rice, corn, and sugarcane). Life cycle assessment (LCA), linear programming, and a climate change simulation model are integrated to analyze appropriate bioenergy production rates while comparing the benefits of bioenergy with the current renewable energy policy in Taiwan. The major findings of LCA in this study indicate that electricity generation using bio-coal produced from rice straw is very beneficial to the environment. Considering the spatial characteristics of Taiwan, simulations from the spatial optimization model suggested that (a) the rice and corn cultivation areas should be increased in southern Taiwan for bio-coal and bioethanol production, in accordance with the “food and feed priority policy”; and (b) the rice cultivation area should be decreased across Taiwan, based on the “water conservation policy”. In addition, compared to solar power, the development of bioenergy can simultaneously enhance food and energy self-sufficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan, Kuang-Yu & Lin, Ying-Chen & Chiueh, Pei-Te & Lo, Shang-Lien, 2018. "Spatial optimization of the food, energy, and water nexus: A life cycle assessment-based approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 502-514.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:119:y:2018:i:c:p:502-514
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.009
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    Cited by:

    1. Pietro Goglio & Sander Van Den Burg & Katerina Kousoulaki & Maggie Skirtun & Åsa Maria Espmark & Anne Helena Kettunen & Wout Abbink, 2022. "The Environmental Impact of Partial Substitution of Fish-Based Feed with Algae- and Insect-Based Feed in Salmon Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Rajabi Hamedani, Sara & Villarini, Mauro & Marcantonio, Vera & di Matteo, Umberto & Monarca, Danilo & Colantoni, Andrea, 2023. "Comparative energy and environmental analysis of different small-scale biomass-fueled CCHP systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PD).
    3. Tianran Ding & Bernhard Steubing & Wouter Achten, 2022. "Coupling optimization with territorial LCA to support agricultural land-use planning," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/359529, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Chad W. Higgins & Majdi Abou Najm, 2020. "An Organizing Principle for the Water-Energy-Food Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Heidari, Mohammad Davoud & Turner, Ian & Ardestani-Jaafari, Amir & Pelletier, Nathan, 2021. "Operations research for environmental assessment of crop-livestock production systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    6. Yuan, Mei-Hua & Lo, Shang-Lien, 2022. "Principles of food-energy-water nexus governance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. Ding, Tao & Liang, Liang & Zhou, Kaile & Yang, Min & Wei, Yuqi, 2020. "Water-energy nexus: The origin, development and prospect," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 419(C).
    8. Huafei Yu & Yaolong Zhao & Yingchun Fu, 2019. "Optimization of Impervious Surface Space Layout for Prevention of Urban Rainstorm Waterlogging: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-28, September.
    9. Danyang Gao & Albert S. Chen & Fayyaz Ali Memon, 2024. "A Systematic Review of Methods for Investigating Climate Change Impacts on Water-Energy-Food Nexus," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(1), pages 1-43, January.
    10. Zhang, Kai & Zhang, Yiyi & Xi, Shan & Liu, Jiefeng & Li, Jiashuo & Hou, Shengren & Chen, Bin, 2022. "Multi-objective optimization of energy-water nexus from spatial resource reallocation perspective in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    11. Cássia Juliana Fernandes Torres & Camilla Hellen Peixoto de Lima & Bárbara Suzart de Almeida Goodwin & Terencio Rebello de Aguiar Junior & Andrea Sousa Fontes & Daniel Veras Ribeiro & Rodrigo Saldanha, 2019. "A Literature Review to Propose a Systematic Procedure to Develop “Nexus Thinking” Considering the Water–Energy–Food Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-32, December.
    12. Tianran Ding & Bernhard Steubing & Wouter Achten, 2022. "Coupling optimization with territorial LCA to support agricultural land-use planning," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/352783, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    13. Hongfang Li & Huixiao Wang & Yaxue Yang & Ruxin Zhao, 2021. "Regional Coordination and Security of Water–Energy–Food Symbiosis in Northeastern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.

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