Abstract
Objectives
The overall objective is to analyze the ecological, micro-economic and socio-economic sustainability of the most promising large scale biomass routes in Belgium. The project will include:
- a full assessment on short and medium term possibilities on bio-fuels for the transport sector;
- a comparison of the potential and sustainability of the chains in Belgium versus imported biomass, liquid bio-fuels or intermediate products;
- comparison of liquid bio-fuel chains with bio-CHP and bio-electricity chains.
Methodology
A. Literature survey and selection of relevant bio-fuel chains
Bio-fuel chains consist of production, logistics, conversion and end use. Since there are many possible biomass feed stocks, logistical steps, conversion routes and types of end use systems, in theory there is a very wide range of different bio-fuel chains. A selection of relevant bio-fuel chains under Belgian circumstances will be made, based on resource, import, demand and existing industrial and agricultural infrastructures. In addition the technological development of the chains will be taken into account to identify short term (2005-2010) possibilities and medium term perspectives (2020).
B. Technological analysis of the selected bio-fuel chains
Production. An assessment will be made of the biomass production potential in Belgium. Since it is also the objective of this research to compare internal production with imports, the analysis will be extended with a full literature overview on the biomass potential in the EU and the global biomass potential. This will supply information on the question whether there is enough biomass available in the EU and in the world to supply the quantities demanded in the short, the medium and the long term in Belgium.
Logistics. Biomass transportation represents an important step to consider in terms of energy requirements, environmental impact and cost. Existing figures from literature will be applied to the Belgian conditions for transport means (water, road, rail) and types of biomass considered.
Conversion technology. A key issue when using biomass for energy purposes is its 'global energy usage' or 'global efficiency'. Main aim is to supply detailed data on costs, material use and emissions for the selected conversion technologies.
C. Quantitative sustainability assessment
For the environmental sustainability, a full life-cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed on the selected bio-fuel chains according to the ISO 14040 standard. For the micro-economic sustainability, a full bio-energy chain cost overview will be generated. For the socio-economic sustainability, an analysis of socio-economic impacts (employment, GDP, needed imports, country trade balance) will be performed.
D. Broad qualitative assessment of sustainability of biomass import
Beside the quantitative sustainability assessment, there are more relevant aspects under the broad umbrella of sustainability that will be assessed regarding the import of biomass i.e. competition on land between food and bio-fuel production, economic impact in exporting country, amongst others.
The overall objective is to analyze the ecological, micro-economic and socio-economic sustainability of the most promising large scale biomass routes in Belgium. The project will include:
- a full assessment on short and medium term possibilities on bio-fuels for the transport sector;
- a comparison of the potential and sustainability of the chains in Belgium versus imported biomass, liquid bio-fuels or intermediate products;
- comparison of liquid bio-fuel chains with bio-CHP and bio-electricity chains.
Methodology
A. Literature survey and selection of relevant bio-fuel chains
Bio-fuel chains consist of production, logistics, conversion and end use. Since there are many possible biomass feed stocks, logistical steps, conversion routes and types of end use systems, in theory there is a very wide range of different bio-fuel chains. A selection of relevant bio-fuel chains under Belgian circumstances will be made, based on resource, import, demand and existing industrial and agricultural infrastructures. In addition the technological development of the chains will be taken into account to identify short term (2005-2010) possibilities and medium term perspectives (2020).
B. Technological analysis of the selected bio-fuel chains
Production. An assessment will be made of the biomass production potential in Belgium. Since it is also the objective of this research to compare internal production with imports, the analysis will be extended with a full literature overview on the biomass potential in the EU and the global biomass potential. This will supply information on the question whether there is enough biomass available in the EU and in the world to supply the quantities demanded in the short, the medium and the long term in Belgium.
Logistics. Biomass transportation represents an important step to consider in terms of energy requirements, environmental impact and cost. Existing figures from literature will be applied to the Belgian conditions for transport means (water, road, rail) and types of biomass considered.
Conversion technology. A key issue when using biomass for energy purposes is its 'global energy usage' or 'global efficiency'. Main aim is to supply detailed data on costs, material use and emissions for the selected conversion technologies.
C. Quantitative sustainability assessment
For the environmental sustainability, a full life-cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed on the selected bio-fuel chains according to the ISO 14040 standard. For the micro-economic sustainability, a full bio-energy chain cost overview will be generated. For the socio-economic sustainability, an analysis of socio-economic impacts (employment, GDP, needed imports, country trade balance) will be performed.
D. Broad qualitative assessment of sustainability of biomass import
Beside the quantitative sustainability assessment, there are more relevant aspects under the broad umbrella of sustainability that will be assessed regarding the import of biomass i.e. competition on land between food and bio-fuel production, economic impact in exporting country, amongst others.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Belgian Science Policy |
| Number of pages | 137 |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |
Keywords
- Bio-energy
- Biofuel
- Conversion routes
- Energy efficiency
- LCA
- SPA