Global and regional potential for bioenergy from agricultural and forestry residue biomass

Journal Article · Thu Feb 11 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 15(3):241-262

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-010-9215-4· OSTI ID:992355

Gregg, Jay S; Smith, Steven J

As co-products, agricultural and forestry residues represent a potential low cost, low carbon, source for bioenergy. A method is developed method for estimating the maximum sustainable amount of energy potentially available from agricultural and forestry residues by converting crop production statistics into associated residue, while allocating some of this resource to remain on the field to mitigate erosion and maintain soil nutrients. Currently, we estimate that the world produces residue biomass that could be sustainably harvested and converted into over 50 EJ yr-1 of energy. The top three countries where this resource is estimated to be most abundant are currently net energy importers: China, the United States (US), and India. The global potential from residue biomass is estimated to increase to approximately 80-95 EJ yr-1 by mid- to late- century, depending on physical assumptions such as of future crop yields and the amount of residue sustainably harvestable. The future market for biomass residues was simulated using the Object-Oriented Energy, Climate, and Technology Systems Mini Climate Assessment Model (ObjECTS MiniCAM). Utilization of residue biomass as an energy source is projected for the next century under different climate policy scenarios. Total global use of residue biomass is estimated to increase to 70-100 EJ yr-1 by mid- to late- century in a central case, depending on the presence of a climate policy and the economics of harvesting, aggregating, and transporting residue. Much of this potential is in developing regions of the world, including China, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and India.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 992355
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-67426; KP1703020
• Journal Information: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 15(3):241-262, Journal Name: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 15(3):241-262 Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 15; ISSN MASCFV; ISSN 1381-2386
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
BIOMASS
CARBON
CLIMATES
CROPS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FORESTRY
HARVESTING
MARKET
NET ENERGY
NUTRIENTS
PRODUCTION
RESIDUES
SOILS
STATISTICS