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Life-cycle energy and climate benefits of energy recovery from wastes and biomass residues in the United States

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  • Bo Liu

    (University of California)

  • Deepak Rajagopal

    (University of California)

Abstract

Agricultural and forestry residues, animal manure and municipal solid waste are replenishable and widely available. However, harnessing these heterogeneous and diffuse resources for energy requires a holistic assessment of alternative conversion pathways, taking into account spatial factors. Here, we analyse, from a life-cycle assessment perspective, the potential renewable energy production, net energy gain and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction for each distinct type of waste feedstock under different conversion technology pathways. The utilization of all available wastes and residues in the contiguous United States can generate 3.1–3.8 exajoules (EJ) of renewable energy, but only deliver 2.4–3.2 EJ of net energy gain, and displace 103–178 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent GHG emissions. For any given waste feedstock, looking across all US counties where it is available, except in rare instances, no single conversion pathway simultaneously maximizes renewable energy production, net energy gain and GHG mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Liu & Deepak Rajagopal, 2019. "Life-cycle energy and climate benefits of energy recovery from wastes and biomass residues in the United States," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(8), pages 700-708, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:4:y:2019:i:8:d:10.1038_s41560-019-0430-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-019-0430-2
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    13. Farzad Hamrang & Afshar Shokri & S. M. Seyed Mahmoudi & Biuk Ehghaghi & Marc A. Rosen, 2020. "Performance Analysis of a New Electricity and Freshwater Production System Based on an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle and Multi-Effect Desalination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-29, September.
    14. Byun, Jaewon & Han, Jee-hoon, 2023. "Economic feasible hydrogen production system from carbohydrate-rich food waste," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
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    17. Mahmoud G. Hemeida & Ashraf M. Hemeida & Tomonobu Senjyu & Dina Osheba, 2022. "Renewable Energy Resources Technologies and Life Cycle Assessment: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-36, December.
    18. Kheiralipour, Kamran & Khoobbakht, Mohammad & Karimi, Mahmoud, 2024. "Effect of biodiesel on environmental impacts of diesel mechanical power generation by life cycle assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
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    20. Yu, Bo & Liu, Xueqing & Ji, Chao & Sun, Hua, 2023. "Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and decision support for the utilization of agricultural waste systems: A case study of Jiangxi Province, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    21. Deepayan Debnath & Madhu Khanna & Deepak Rajagopal & David Zilberman, 2019. "The Future of Biofuels in an Electrifying Global Transportation Sector: Imperative, Prospects and Challenges," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(4), pages 563-582, December.
    22. Rasheed, Rizwan & Tahir, Fizza & Yasar, Abdullah & Sharif, Faiza & Tabinda, Amtul Bari & Ahmad, Sajid Rashid & Wang, Yubo & Su, Yuehong, 2022. "Environmental life cycle analysis of a modern commercial-scale fibreglass composite-based biogas scrubbing system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1261-1271.
    23. Ren, Lei & Zhou, Sheng & Ou, Xunmin, 2023. "The carbon reduction potential of hydrogen in the low carbon transition of the iron and steel industry: The case of China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    24. Mohsen Ramezanzade & Hossein Karimi & Khalid Almutairi & Hoa Ao Xuan & Javad Saebi & Ali Mostafaeipour & Kuaanan Techato, 2021. "Implementing MCDM Techniques for Ranking Renewable Energy Projects under Fuzzy Environment: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-38, November.

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