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Biomass production from the U.S. forest and agriculture sectors in support of a renewable electricity standard

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  • White, Eric M.
  • Latta, Greg
  • Alig, Ralph J.
  • Skog, Kenneth E.
  • Adams, Darius M.

Abstract

Production of renewable energy from biomass has been promoted as means to improve greenhouse gas balance in energy production, improve energy security, and provide jobs and income. However, uncertainties remain as to how the agriculture and forest sectors might jointly respond to increased demand for bioelectricity feedstocks and the potential environmental consequences of increased biomass production. We use an economic model to examine how the agriculture and forest sectors might combine to respond to increased demands for bioelectricity under simulated future national-level renewable electricity standards. Both sectors are projected to contribute biomass, although energy crops, like switchgrass, produced on agriculture land are projected to be the primary feedstocks. At the highest targets for bioelectricity production, we project increased conversion of forest to agriculture land in support of agriculture biomass production. Although land conversion takes place in response to renewable electricity mandates, we project only minor increases in forest and agriculture emissions. Similarly, crop prices were projected to generally be stable in the face of increased bioelectricity demand and displacement of traditional agriculture crops.

Suggested Citation

  • White, Eric M. & Latta, Greg & Alig, Ralph J. & Skog, Kenneth E. & Adams, Darius M., 2013. "Biomass production from the U.S. forest and agriculture sectors in support of a renewable electricity standard," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 64-74.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:58:y:2013:i:c:p:64-74
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.02.029
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    2. Miguel Riviere & Sylvain Caurla & Philippe Delacote, 2020. "Evolving Integrated Models From Narrower Economic Tools : the Example of Forest Sector Models," Post-Print hal-02512330, HAL.
    3. Galik, Christopher S. & Abt, Robert C. & Latta, Gregory & Vegh, Tibor, 2015. "The environmental and economic effects of regional bioenergy policy in the southeastern U.S," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 335-346.
    4. Sukamal Sarkar & Milan Skalicky & Akbar Hossain & Marian Brestic & Saikat Saha & Sourav Garai & Krishnendu Ray & Koushik Brahmachari, 2020. "Management of Crop Residues for Improving Input Use Efficiency and Agricultural Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-24, November.
    5. Piwowar, Arkadiusz & Dzikuć, Maciej & Adamczyk, Janusz, 2016. "Agricultural biogas plants in Poland – selected technological, market and environmental aspects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 69-74.
    6. Lyrio de Oliveira, Lucas & García Kerdan, Iván & de Oliveira Ribeiro, Celma & Oller do Nascimento, Claudio Augusto & Rego, Erik Eduardo & Giarola, Sara & Hawkes, Adam, 2020. "Modelling the technical potential of bioelectricity production under land use constraints: A multi-region Brazil case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    7. Cieślik, Marta & Dach, Jacek & Lewicki, Andrzej & Smurzyńska, Anna & Janczak, Damian & Pawlicka-Kaczorowska, Joanna & Boniecki, Piotr & Cyplik, Paweł & Czekała, Wojciech & Jóźwiakowski, Krzysztof, 2016. "Methane fermentation of the maize straw silage under meso- and thermophilic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P2), pages 1495-1502.
    8. Galik, Christopher S. & Abt, Robert C. & Latta, Gregory & Méley, Andréanne & Henderson, Jesse D., 2016. "Meeting renewable energy and land use objectives through public–private biomass supply partnerships," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 264-274.
    9. Janina Piekutin & Monika Puchlik & Michał Haczykowski & Katarzyna Dyczewska, 2021. "The Efficiency of the Biogas Plant Operation Depending on the Substrate Used," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-12, May.
    10. Wang, Weiwei & Khanna, Madhu & Dwivedi, Puneet, 2013. "Optimal Mix of Feedstock for Biofuels: Implications for Land Use and GHG Emissions," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150736, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Wojcieszak, Dawid & Przybył, Jacek & Myczko, Renata & Myczko, Andrzej, 2018. "Technological and energetic evaluation of maize stover silage for methane production on technical scale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 903-912.
    12. Shortall, O.K. & Raman, Sujatha & Millar, Kate, 2015. "Are plants the new oil? Responsible innovation, biorefining and multipurpose agriculture," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 360-368.

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