Carbon Footprint Determination When Using Residual Agricultural Biomass for Energy Production

Abstract

At present, the focus is on distributed energy generation with low or negative carbon emissions as well as high conversion yields. In Romania, the renewable energy resource that can be used and produced when and wherever necessary is residual agricultural biomass with a potential of 31 million tons, which can produce over 40% of the national energy demand. Residual agricultural biomass is produced with an average energy efficiency of 6 kWh·bm/kWh input. The CHAB (combined heat and biochar production) concept produces high yield thermal energy as well as BC (biochar) with an average carbon footprint of 140 kg/ton biomass. If the energy produced is used to produce agricultural output, the negative carbon footprint increases by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. It increases energy independence, the safety of agricultural production, the number of jobs, and regional economic development.