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

Zhang, Fengli; Johnson, Dana M.; Wang, Jinjiang

doi:10.3390/en8043258

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

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Energies

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/en8043258· OSTI ID:1184840

Zhang, Fengli ^[1]; Johnson, Dana M. ^[2]; Wang, Jinjiang ^[3]

China Univ. of Petroleum, Beijing (China); Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)
China Univ. of Petroleum, Beijing (China)

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.

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Research Organization:: Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0000280

OSTI ID:: 1184840

Journal Information:: Energies, Vol. 8, Issue 4; ISSN 1996-1073

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 28 works

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Biofuel supply chain optimal design considering economic, environmental, and societal aspects towards sustainability Kesharwani, Rajkamal; Sun, Zeyi; Dagli, Cihan International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 42, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4006	journal	February 2018
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Carbon Footprint Associated with Firewood Consumption in Northeast Brazil: An Analysis by the IPCC 2013 GWP 100y Criterion Coelho Junior, Luiz Moreira; de Lourdes da Costa Martins, Kalyne; Carvalho, Monica Waste and Biomass Valorization, Vol. 10, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-018-0282-1	journal	March 2018
Assessment of Sweet Sorghum-Based Ethanol Potential in China within the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Framework Yan, Xiaoxi; Jiang, Dong; Fu, Jingying Sustainability, Vol. 10, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041046	journal	April 2018
An LCA-based evaluation of biomass to transportation fuel production and utilization pathways in a large port’s context Tsalidis, Georgios Archimidis; Discha, Fadhila El; Korevaar, Gijsbert International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 8, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-017-0242-8	journal	July 2017
Life cycle assessment of residual lignocellulosic biomass-based jet fuel with activated carbon and lignosulfonate as co-products Pierobon, Francesca; Eastin, Ivan L.; Ganguly, Indroneil Biotechnology for Biofuels, Vol. 11, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-018-1141-9	journal	May 2018
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