A model-based assessment of the potential role of irrigated cropland for biogas production in Europe

Abstract

Abstract. For the European Union, the increasing use of renewable energy sources is an important instrument to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and to achieve greater independency from energy imports. Here, agriculture has the chance to become an important contributor by the cultivation of bioenergy crops. In this paper, the potential role of irrigated cropland for the cultivation of silage maize for biogas production is analyzed on the European level. A methodology is developed to identify suitable locations for maize cultivation and to evaluate their performance in respect of the amount of irrigation water and land needed for energy production. For this purpose, GIS analysis techniques are combined with simulation results from the process-based vegetation model LPJmL for maize yields and irrigation water requirements. The generated information can serve as input for the development of European-scale bio-energy policies and for further analysis of the water footprint and energy balance of bioenergy systems.

Future water availability in selected European catchments: a probabilistic assessment of seasonal flows under the IPCC A1B emission scenario using response surfaces

“…These might be subject to change based on socio-economic and climate change influences. A high probability of low flows occurring during summer in Central and Southern Europe coincides with the season of the highest irrigation demand (Schaldach et al, 2009;Rost et al, 2008;Döll and Siebert, 2002). On the one hand, increasing irrigation requirements in the future could further reduce stream flows, and the demand might not be fulfilled at all, further affecting the agricultural sector and economy of a country.…”