Critical indicators of sustainability for biofuels: An analysis through a life cycle sustainabilty assessment perspective

Collotta, Massimo; Champagne, Pascale; Tomasoni, Giuseppe; Alberti, Marco; Busi, Leonardo; Mabee, Warren

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.109358

Cited by 58 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…In LCA, the system boundary definition profoundly impacts the materials, processes and emissions considered for evaluation. As such, system boundary limits can also considerably influence the calculation of environmental impacts (Collotta et al 2019). The two commonly studied kinds of system boundary for hydrogen production are 'cradle-to-gate' or 'well-to-pump' that includes processes only until production and 'cradle-to-grave' or 'well-to-wheel', which incorporates emissions during end use as well.…”

Section: System Boundarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

et al. 2021

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Dihydrogen (H2), commonly named ‘hydrogen’, is increasingly recognised as a clean and reliable energy vector for decarbonisation and defossilisation by various sectors. The global hydrogen demand is projected to increase from 70 million tonnes in 2019 to 120 million tonnes by 2024. Hydrogen development should also meet the seventh goal of ‘affordable and clean energy’ of the United Nations. Here we review hydrogen production and life cycle analysis, hydrogen geological storage and hydrogen utilisation. Hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis, steam methane reforming, methane pyrolysis and coal gasification. We compare the environmental impact of hydrogen production routes by life cycle analysis. Hydrogen is used in power systems, transportation, hydrocarbon and ammonia production, and metallugical industries. Overall, combining electrolysis-generated hydrogen with hydrogen storage in underground porous media such as geological reservoirs and salt caverns is well suited for shifting excess off-peak energy to meet dispatchable on-peak demand.

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Section: System Boundarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

et al. 2021

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“…This approach allowed an intensive testing of the survey. The process experts [20] Finland Henke and Theuvsen 2013 [68] G e r m a n y Manik et al 2013 [69] Indonesia Ekener-Petersen et al 2014 [70] Brazil, USA, France, Lithuania Weldegiorgis and Franks 2014 [71] A u s t r a l i a Pashaei Kamali et al 2014 [72] Latin America, European Union Dewulf et al 2015 [73] -Dos Santos and Brandi 2015 [74] Argentina, Brazil, China, USA, France Ren et al 2015 [75] C h i n a Sanchez Ramirez et al 2016 [76] B r a z i l Ekener et al 2016 [25] G e n e r a l Contreras-Lisperguer et al 2018 [77] Jamaica Sajid and Lynch 2018 [78] Canada Rafiaani et al 2018 [33] G e n e r a l Martin et al 2018 [16] S w e d e n Souza et al 2018 [79] B r a z i l Collotta et al 2019 [80] G e n e r a l Type of product/field of application: bio-based products Agyekum et al 2017 [81] G h a n a Falcone and Imbert 2018 [32] G e n e r a l Spierling et al 2018 [5] G e n e r a l Blanc et al 2019 [82] G e n e r a l Prasara-A et al 2019 [18] Thailand…”

Section: Proposed Methodology For Indicator Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locating Hotspots for the Social Life Cycle Assessment of Bio-Based Products from Short Rotation Coppice

et al. 2021

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The establishment of new value chains raises expectations in economic and social benefits. To determine whether these expectations can be fulfilled or whether there are also negative consequences, social aspects should be assessed as early as the R&D phase. Potential social impacts can be assessed with the help of a social life cycle assessment (SLCA). A common problem in SLCA studies is the large number of social aspects. Thus, it is important to prioritize the most relevant aspects. Scholars agree that socioeconomic indicators should not be selected on a purely intuitive and common sense basis and that a standardized approach is missing. A three-step process has been developed to identify the most vulnerable and relevant social aspects. These three steps were implemented into a case study to empirically test the method. Short-rotation-coppice as an alternative form of agricultural dendromass production is one possibility to obtain wood resources for the processing of bio-based products. The use of agricultural land for dendromass production promises additional income for the region’s farmers and job opportunities for the local population. The extant literature shows that the most frequently addressed impacts are related to workers’ health and safety aspects. The outcome of this study aims to support future research by identifying an appropriate approach for the selection of indicators in SLCA. For studies with a similar focus, the proposed set of indicators can be used as a framework in itself or serve as a basis for the choice of relevant social indicators.

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“…It is one of only four crops in North America, and the only oilseed, that has received the Round Table of Sustainable Materials (RSB) certification (RSB, 2018) for sustainable oil and meal and a low ILUC risk certification in South America. The RSB has developed one of the most robust sustainable frameworks for biofuels (Collotta et al, 2019). This differentiates carinata from other feedstock as it is certified as a low‐carbon feedstock for fuel and non‐GMO high protein meal.…”

Section: Carinata To Address the Demand For A Low‐carbon Bioeconomymentioning

confidence: 99%

A regional inter‐disciplinary partnership focusing on the development of a carinata‐centered bioeconomy

et al. 2021

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Brassica carinata or Ethiopian mustard, a non‐edible oilseed brassica, is a low carbon, purpose‐grown, and none‐to‐low indirect land‐use change bioenergy feedstock for the production of drop‐in sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and a suite of value‐added coproducts. Carinata oil converted to drop‐in fuel using an American Society for Testing and Materials approved Catalytic Hydrothermolysis process has been successfully tested in commercial and military aviation. Carinata meal, the residue after oil extraction, is a high‐protein feed supplement for livestock, poultry, and swine, and can also yield specialty products. The Southeast Partnership for Advanced Renewables from Carinata (SPARC) is a public–private partnership formed with a twofold mission: (1) Removing physical, environmental, social, and economic constraints that prevent regional intensification of carinata production as a low‐carbon feedstock for renewable fuel and coproducts and (2) demonstrating enhanced value across the entire value chain by mitigating risk to farmers and other stakeholders. The partnership's goal is to energize the US bioeconomy through sustainable agriculture and thus contribute to energy security and economic diversification. SPARC relies on a combination of cutting‐edge multidisciplinary research and active industry engagement to facilitate adoption of the crop. This involves informing stakeholders along the entire supply chain, from producers to end‐users, policymakers, influencers, and the public, about the opportunities and best practices related to carinata. This article provides context and background concerning carinata commercialization as a winter cash crop in the Southeast US for renewable fuels and bioproducts. The advances made to date in the areas of feedstock development, fuel and coproduct development, meal valorization, supply chain logistics, and stakeholder engagement are outlined.

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Critical indicators of sustainability for biofuels: An analysis through a life cycle sustainabilty assessment perspective

Cited by 58 publications

References 70 publications

Hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

Hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

Locating Hotspots for the Social Life Cycle Assessment of Bio-Based Products from Short Rotation Coppice

A regional inter‐disciplinary partnership focusing on the development of a carinata‐centered bioeconomy

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