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Towards Comparable Carbon Credits: Harmonization of LCA Models of Cellulosic Biofuels

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  • Nariê Rinke Dias de Souza

    (Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Campinas 13083-970, Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Bioenergy Program, School of Food Engineering (FEA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Sao Paulo, Brazil)

  • Bruno Colling Klein

    (Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Campinas 13083-970, Sao Paulo, Brazil)

  • Mateus Ferreira Chagas

    (Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Campinas 13083-970, Sao Paulo, Brazil)

  • Otavio Cavalett

    (Bioenergy Program, School of Food Engineering (FEA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Industrial Ecology Programme, Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Antonio Bonomi

    (Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR), Campinas 13083-970, Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

Decarbonization programs are being proposed worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation fuels, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) models or tools. Although such models are broadly accepted, varying results are often observed. This study describes similarities and differences of key decarbonization programs and their GHG calculators and compares established LCA models for assessing 2G ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstock. The selected LCA models were GHGenius, GREET, JRC’s model, and VSB, which originated calculators for British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Renewable Energy Directive, and RenovaBio, respectively. We performed a harmonization of the selected models by inserting data of one model into other ones to illustrate the possibility of obtaining similar results after a few harmonization steps and to determine which parameters have higher contribution to closing the gap between default results. Differences among 2G ethanol from wheat straw were limited to 0.1 gCO 2 eq. MJ −1 , and discrepancies in emissions decreased by 95% and 78% for corn stover and forest residues, respectively. Better understanding of structure, calculation procedures, parameters, and methodological assumptions among the LCA models is a first step towards an improved harmonization that will allow a globally accepted and exchangeable carbon credit system to be created.

Suggested Citation

  • Nariê Rinke Dias de Souza & Bruno Colling Klein & Mateus Ferreira Chagas & Otavio Cavalett & Antonio Bonomi, 2021. "Towards Comparable Carbon Credits: Harmonization of LCA Models of Cellulosic Biofuels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10371-:d:637230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Comineti, Camila da Silva Serra & Pretel, Ariel Fernandes & Schlindwein, Madalena Maria, 2023. "The type of development promoted by Brazilian National Biofuels Policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    2. Vinícius P. Shibukawa & Lucas Ramos & Mónica M. Cruz-Santos & Carina A. Prado & Fanny M. Jofre & Gabriel L. de Arruda & Silvio S. da Silva & Solange I. Mussatto & Júlio C. dos Santos, 2023. "Impact of Product Diversification on the Economic Sustainability of Second-Generation Ethanol Biorefineries: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-30, September.
    3. Mandegari, Mohsen & Ebadian, Mahmood & Saddler, Jack (John), 2023. "The need for effective life cycle assessment (LCA) to enhance the effectiveness of policies such as low carbon fuel standards (LCFS's)," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).

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