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Title: Life-cycle energy and GHG emissions of forest biomass harvest and transport for biofuel production in Michigan

Abstract

High dependence on imported oil has increased U.S. strategic vulnerability and prompted more research in the area of renewable energy production. Ethanol production from renewable woody biomass, which could be a substitute for gasoline, has seen increased interest. This study analysed energy use and greenhouse gas emission impacts on the forest biomass supply chain activities within the State of Michigan. A life-cycle assessment of harvesting and transportation stages was completed utilizing peer-reviewed literature. Results for forest-delivered ethanol were compared with those for petroleum gasoline using data specific to the U.S. The analysis from a woody biomass feedstock supply perspective uncovered that ethanol production is more environmentally friendly (about 62% less greenhouse gas emissions) compared with petroleum based fossil fuel production. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with key inputs associated with harvesting and transportation operations. The results showed that research focused on improving biomass recovery efficiency and truck fuel economy further reduced GHG emissions and energy consumption.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. China Univ. of Petroleum, Beijing (China); Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
  2. Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
  3. China Univ. of Petroleum, Beijing (China)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1184840
Grant/Contract Number:  
EE0000280
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Energies
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 8; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 1996-1073
Publisher:
MDPI AG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Life Cycle Assessment; energy use; greenhouse gas emissions; ethanol

Citation Formats

Zhang, Fengli, Johnson, Dana M., and Wang, Jinjiang. Life-cycle energy and GHG emissions of forest biomass harvest and transport for biofuel production in Michigan. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.3390/en8043258.
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Zhang, Fengli, Johnson, Dana M., & Wang, Jinjiang. Life-cycle energy and GHG emissions of forest biomass harvest and transport for biofuel production in Michigan. United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/en8043258
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Zhang, Fengli, Johnson, Dana M., and Wang, Jinjiang. Wed . "Life-cycle energy and GHG emissions of forest biomass harvest and transport for biofuel production in Michigan". United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/en8043258. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1184840.
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@article{osti_1184840,
title = {Life-cycle energy and GHG emissions of forest biomass harvest and transport for biofuel production in Michigan},
author = {Zhang, Fengli and Johnson, Dana M. and Wang, Jinjiang},
abstractNote = {High dependence on imported oil has increased U.S. strategic vulnerability and prompted more research in the area of renewable energy production. Ethanol production from renewable woody biomass, which could be a substitute for gasoline, has seen increased interest. This study analysed energy use and greenhouse gas emission impacts on the forest biomass supply chain activities within the State of Michigan. A life-cycle assessment of harvesting and transportation stages was completed utilizing peer-reviewed literature. Results for forest-delivered ethanol were compared with those for petroleum gasoline using data specific to the U.S. The analysis from a woody biomass feedstock supply perspective uncovered that ethanol production is more environmentally friendly (about 62% less greenhouse gas emissions) compared with petroleum based fossil fuel production. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with key inputs associated with harvesting and transportation operations. The results showed that research focused on improving biomass recovery efficiency and truck fuel economy further reduced GHG emissions and energy consumption.},
doi = {10.3390/en8043258},
journal = {Energies},
number = 4,
volume = 8,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
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https://doi.org/10.3390/en8043258
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Works referenced in this record:

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