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The Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Power Generation from Lignocellulosic Biomass

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  • Xinhua Shen

    (NSF CREST Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
    Current Address: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA.)

  • Raghava R. Kommalapati

    (NSF CREST Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA)

  • Ziaul Huque

    (NSF CREST Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA)

Abstract

In order to solve the energy crisis and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), renewable energy resources are exploited for power generation. Because lignocellulosic biomass resources are abundant and renewable, various technologies are applied to using lignocellulosic biomass to derive biofuel and electricity. This paper focuses on power generation from lignocellulosic biomass and comparison of the effects of different feedstocks, transportation, and power generation technologies evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The inputs and boundaries of LCA vary with different feedstocks, such as forestry wood, agricultural residues, and fast-growing grass. For agricultural residues and fast-growing grass, the transportation cost from field to power plant is more critical. Three technologies for power generation are analyzed both with and without pelletization of lignocellulosic biomass. The GHG emissions also vary with different feedstocks and depend on burning technologies at different plant scales. The daily criteria pollutant emissions of power generation from different lignocellulosic biomass were evaluated with a life cycle assessment model of GREET.net 2014. It is concluded that bio-power generation is critical with the urgency of greenhouse effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinhua Shen & Raghava R. Kommalapati & Ziaul Huque, 2015. "The Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Power Generation from Lignocellulosic Biomass," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:10:p:12974-12987:d:56319
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    7. Vance, C. & Sweeney, J. & Murphy, F., 2022. "Space, time, and sustainability: The status and future of life cycle assessment frameworks for novel biorefinery systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
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