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CO 2 Efficiency Break Points for Processes Associated to Wood and Coal Transport and Heating

Author

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  • Robert Baťa

    (Institute of Administrative and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Jan Fuka

    (Institute of Administrative and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Petra Lešáková

    (Institute of Administrative and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Jana Heckenbergerová

    (Institute of Administrative and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Studentská 84, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

Abstract

This paper aims to deal with CO 2 emissions in energy production process in an original way, based on calculations of total specific CO 2 emissions, depending on the type of fuel and the transport distance. This paper has ambition to set a break point from where it is not worthwhile to use wood as an energy carrier as the alternative to coal. The reason for our study is the social urgency of selected problem. For example, in the area of public sector decision-making, wood heating is promoted regardless of the availability within the reasonable distance. From the current state of the research, it is also clear that none of the studies compare coal and biomass fuel transportation from the point of view of CO 2 production. For this purpose, an original methodology has been proposed. It is based on a modified life cycle assessment (LCA), supplemented with a system of equations. The proposed methodology has a generalizable nature, and therefore, it can be applied to different regions. However, calculation inputs and modelling are based on specific site data. Based on the presented numerical analysis, the key finding is the break point for associated processes at a distance of 1779.64 km, since when that it is better to burn brown coal than wood in terms of total CO 2 emissions. We can conclude that, in some cases, it is more efficient to use coal instead of wood as fuel in terms of CO 2 emissions, particularly in regard to transport distance and type of transport.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:20:p:3864-:d:275753
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wen-Hsien Tsai, 2020. "Carbon Emission Reduction—Carbon Tax, Carbon Trading, and Carbon Offset," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-7, November.

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