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Analyzing the Potential Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Regional Energy Integration Scenarios of a Bio-Based Industrial Network

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Bezama

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Bioenergy, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Jakob Hildebrandt

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Bioenergy, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    ZIRKON—Zittau Institute for Process Engineering, Circular Economy, Surface Technology, Natural Materials Research, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Friedrich-Schneider-Str. 26, 02763 Zittau, Germany)

  • Daniela Thrän

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Bioenergy, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH–DBFZ, Torgauerstr. 116, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

The goal of this work was to evaluate the socio-economic and environmental life cycle advantages of alternative defossilization pathways for a bio-based industrial network in Central Germany. Five scenarios were defined considering the potential energy utilization of further regionally available biomass capacities. The evaluation was made using an integrated approach, i.e., using a traditional life cycle assessment methodology, complemented by a regionalized socio-economic life cycle assessment framework. The results show that the environmental advantages from the change in energy provisioning reduced about 5% of the total environmental impacts. The analysis of the socio-economic impacts shows that the path to defossilization of the integrated network provides a clear enhancement of the expected regional socio-economic impacts. These results show that 100% decoupling from natural gas brings overall positive sustainability advantages to all organizations participating in the evaluated value chains. The methodological approach presented in this work can allow the identification of hotspots and opportunities within the regions where the implementation of technological alternatives takes place.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Bezama & Jakob Hildebrandt & Daniela Thrän, 2022. "Analyzing the Potential Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Regional Energy Integration Scenarios of a Bio-Based Industrial Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:23:p:15886-:d:987760
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karen Bayne & Alan Renwick, 2021. "Beyond Sustainable Intensification: Transitioning Primary Sectors through Reconfiguring Land-Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Alberto Bezama & Jakob Hildebrandt & Daniela Thrän, 2021. "Integrating Regionalized Socioeconomic Considerations onto Life Cycle Assessment for Evaluating Bioeconomy Value Chains: A Case Study on Hybrid Wood–Concrete Ceiling Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Nirvana Angela Marting Vidaurre & Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero & Moritz Wagner & Jan Lask & Iris Lewandowski, 2020. "Social Aspects in the Assessment of Biobased Value Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-27, November.
    4. Halonen, Maija & Näyhä, Annukka & Kuhmonen, Irene, 2022. "Regional sustainability transition through forest-based bioeconomy? Development actors' perspectives on related policies, power, and justice," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
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