This paper investigates the environmental impacts and energy benefits of the cultivation of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.), in order to initiate its use in sustainable household heating in the Republic of Serbia. Based on the analysis of available data regarding the use of agricultural machinery in Serbia, a Miscanthus supply chain is constructed and examined in detail, scrutinizing all relevant operations—from planting of rhizomes to thermal energy production. Results of the life cycle assessment identify the briquetting process as the most environmentally burdensome operation due to high electricity consumption and low productivity. It is concluded that an average yield of 23.5 t dry matter (d.m.) year−1 obtained from 1 ha of chernozem soil would have energy output:energy input (EO:EI) ratio of 51:1, and would release 365.5 gigajoules (GJ) of heat during combustion in a boiler. With this amount of energy, around 383 m2 of a free-standing family house in Serbia can be heated annually. The same amount of energy is obtained by the combustion of 22 t of lignite or 23 t of wood logs. The substitution of lignite and wood with Miscanthus briquettes would lead to significant reduction of CO2 equivalents (eq), SO2 eq, P eq, N eq, 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4-DB) eq, Non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC), PM10 eq and U235 eq emissions. This designates Miscanthus as a more sustainable energy solution for household heating. In instances where more modern agricultural machinery is used, emission reduction is higher, except for CO2 eq due to higher emission factors predicted for more powerful engines. Depending on Miscanthus’ annual yield, the replacement of set-aside land with Miscanthus plantations result in carbon (C) sequestration from 0.08 t C ha−1 year−1 to 0.91 t C ha−1 year−1. In a modern machinery scenario, C sequestration is only attainable when maximal Miscanthus yield is obtained. The combined use of machinery with different engine power is the best option for Miscanthus cultivation in Serbia.

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In this paper ?well-to-pump? environmental analysis of pyrolytic diesel from Miscanthus gigantheus is performed. The average annual yield of Miscanthus from III-V year of cultivation on 1 ha of chernozem soil in Serbia (23.5 t) is considered as an input for the process. Two pyrolytic diesel pathways are considered: distributed pyrolytic pathway with external hydrogen production (from natural gas) and integrated pyrolytic pathway with internal hydrogen production (from pyrolytic oil). and are compared to a conventionally produced diesel pathway. The results of the analysis reveal that integrated-internal pyrolytic diesel pathway has lowest resources consumption and lowest pollutant emissions. Compared to conventionally produced diesel, integrated-internal pyrolysis pathway consumes 80% less of fossil fuels, and 92% more of renewables, has 90% lower global warming potential, 30% lower terrestrial acidification potential but 38% higher particulate matter formation potential. Compared to the distributed-external pathway, 88% less fossil fuels, and 36% less renewables are consumed in the integrated-internal pathway, global warming potential is 97% lower, terrestrial acidification is 20% lower, and particulate matter formation is 49% lower. Nevertheless, this pathway has high coal and hydroelectrical power consumption due to electricity production and high emissions of particulate matter, CO2, SOx, and N2O. Another drawback of this production pathway is the low yield of diesel obtained (38% lower than in distributed-external pathway). With this regard, it is still hard to designate production of diesel from fast pyrolysis of Miscanthus as a more environmentally friendly replacement of the conventional production diesel pathway.

Nano-engineered materials are playing an ever growing role in the rapidly developing field of sustainable energy production. Besides providing numerous opportuni-ties for innovations in this domain, utilisation of nanostructured materials raises numerous doubts regarding their impact on the environment and possible adverse effects on human health. Providing reliable methods for analysis, evaluation and dealing with the environ-mental and health effects of nanotechnology is therefore crucial. In this article we will try to give an outline of possible approaches to deployment of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to nanomaterials used in certain applications for sustainable energy production. Use of such methods should also provide the possibility of comparing these new, emerging, technologies with that of already existing conventional ones in terms of their environmental, health and safety impacts.

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