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Comparative Social Life Cycle Assessment of Two Biomass-to-Electricity Systems

Author

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  • Mario Martín-Gamboa

    (Chemical and Environmental Engineering Group, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Móstoles, Spain)

  • Paula Quinteiro

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Ana Cláudia Dias

    (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Diego Iribarren

    (Systems Analysis Unit, IMDEA Energy, 28935 Móstoles, Spain)

Abstract

Biomass plays a fundamental role in numerous decarbonisation strategies that seek to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of climate change. Within this context, decision-makers’ choices need to comprehensively consider potential sustainability effects associated with bioenergy systems. In particular, due to the lack of studies addressing the social sustainability of bioelectricity, the present work applies the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodology to compare the social performance of two biomass-to-electricity systems located in Portugal based on either fluidised-bed or grate furnace technology. S-LCA involves a comprehensive approach for holistic evaluation and data interpretation of social aspects. Six social indicators were benchmarked: child labour, forced labour, gender wage gap, women in the sectoral labour force, health expenditure, and contribution to economic development. The results show that the implementation of fluidised-bed furnaces as a more efficient conversion technology could reduce by 15–19% the selected negative social impacts, except women in the sectoral labour force. When enlarging the interpretation to a sustainability perspective, the general suitability of the fluidised-bed furnace system would be further emphasised under environmental aspects while jointly providing valuable insights for informed decision-making and sustainability reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Martín-Gamboa & Paula Quinteiro & Ana Cláudia Dias & Diego Iribarren, 2021. "Comparative Social Life Cycle Assessment of Two Biomass-to-Electricity Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4918-:d:549048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mario Martín-Gamboa & Luis C. Dias & Paula Quinteiro & Fausto Freire & Luís Arroja & Ana Cláudia Dias, 2019. "Multi-Criteria and Life Cycle Assessment of Wood-Based Bioenergy Alternatives for Residential Heating: A Sustainability Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alessandro Arrigoni & Valeria Arosio & Andrea Basso Peressut & Saverio Latorrata & Giovanni Dotelli, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Implications of Extending the Service Life of PEM Fuel Cells for Automotive Applications: A Life Cycle Assessment," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-17, February.
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    4. Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis & Maria Batsioula & George F. Banias & Evina Katsou, 2024. "A Review Analysis of Electricity Generation Studies with Social Life Cycle Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Juan Camilo Solarte-Toro & Carlos Ariel Cardona Alzate, 2023. "Sustainability of Biorefineries: Challenges and Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-24, April.
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    7. Alexandros Kafetzis & Michael Bampaou & Giorgos Kardaras & Kyriakos Panopoulos, 2023. "Decarbonization of Former Lignite Regions with Renewable Hydrogen: The Western Macedonia Case," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-21, October.

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