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Water and energy consumption of Populus spp. bioenergy systems: A case study in Southern Europe

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  • Sevigne, Eva
  • Gasol, Carles M.
  • Brun, Filippo
  • Rovira, Laura
  • Pagés, Josep Maria
  • Camps, Francesc
  • Rieradevall, Joan
  • Gabarrell, Xavier

Abstract

With the objectives of climate change mitigation and energy independence, energy crops have been proposed as an alternative to fossil fuels. In recent years short rotation energy crops have been promoted because they provide biomass in short periods of time. However, the impacts of water consumption, in both the impact on the energy balance due to the consumption of irrigation as the impacts on existing water resources, have not been analyzed in depth. This study evaluates the relationship between water, energy and CO2 emissions of a plot of Populus spp. in Spain with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of its implementation as large-scale cultivation. For the energy and environmental assessment it has been used the life cycle analysis methodology. The results show positive energy balance and environmental improvement respect other energies such as natural gas. Consumption of water required to avoid a kg of CO2 is 4.6Â m3 and per unit of energy obtained is 45Â m3Â GJ-1 considering a life cycle approach and in relation to the water availability of the basin could increase the pressure. Hence, in order to establish energy crops for climate change mitigation water consumption associated must be taken into account for future energy planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Sevigne, Eva & Gasol, Carles M. & Brun, Filippo & Rovira, Laura & Pagés, Josep Maria & Camps, Francesc & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2011. "Water and energy consumption of Populus spp. bioenergy systems: A case study in Southern Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1133-1140, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:15:y:2011:i:2:p:1133-1140
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    1. Carlos S. Ciria & Marina Sanz & Juan Carrasco & Pilar Ciria, 2019. "Identification of Arable Marginal Lands under Rainfed Conditions for Bioenergy Purposes in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Dubreuil, Aurelie & Assoumou, Edi & Bouckaert, Stephanie & Selosse, Sandrine & Maı¨zi, Nadia, 2013. "Water modeling in an energy optimization framework – The water-scarce middle east context," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 268-279.
    3. Giannoccaro, Giacomo & Berbel, Julio, 2012. "The Determinants of Farmer’s Intended Behaviour Towards the Adoption of Energy Crops in Southern Spain: an Application of the Classification Tree-Method," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 1(2), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Hauk, Sebastian & Knoke, Thomas & Wittkopf, Stefan, 2014. "Economic evaluation of short rotation coppice systems for energy from biomass—A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 435-448.

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