Development of integrated bioenergy production systems using precision conservation and multicriteria decision analysis techniques

Abstract

Development of a productive advanced biofuels economy will require a suite of lignocellulosic feedstocks, including both agricultural residues and dedicated energy crops. This research utilizes precision conservation and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques to model the integration of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial bioenergy crop, into a corn (Zea mays L.)-producing field in Iowa, United States. The impacts of energy crop integration are quantified in terms of productivity, economics, and environmental performance. Management areas identified using a multi-objective optimization method are modeled using the Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) to calculate biomass availability and impacts to soil health, while the Water Quality Index for Agricultural Lands (WQIag) is used to assess the risk to surface water quality. The results show that subfield management zones optimized to reduce economic losses and maximize environmental performance are capable of improving the field's annual rate of soil organic carbon (SOC) gain by 69%, reducing annual soil erosion by 63%, and increasing sustainable biomass availability by 35%. Environmental improvements are valued at US$158 ha -1 (US$64 ac -1 ), making the integrated management system an effective financial loss mitigation strategy compared to conventional corn production when feedstock prices are greater than US$107 Mg -1 (US$97 tn -1 ). The results of this work demonstrate that the production of bioenergy crops integrated with commodity row crops can be a tenable means to improve the overall production of a field, improve the profitability of row crop farming, and preserve or improve water and soil resources.

Chemical and Structural Changes in Corn Stover After Ensiling: Influence on Bioconversion

“…Additionally, the collection, conversion, and utilization of the 2030 biomass volume targets "could displace 9.5% of fossil energy consumption and avoid as much as 446 million tons of CO 2 equivalent emissions annually" (Rogers et al, 2016). Secondary impacts include bolstering rural economies, creating jobs, and improving both soil and water quality through application of advanced agronomic practices (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 2015;Bonner et al, 2016). Achieving the needed economics and logistics required not only improved biomass conversion processes, but more importantly, biomass supply chains that reduce risk and allow for commodity processing of agricultural residues, energy crops, and lower-value waste feedstocks.…”

Targeted subfield switchgrass integration could improve the farm economy, water quality, and bioenergy feedstock production

“…Efforts have been made recently to develop landscape designs that meet agricultural needs while mitigating environmental risk through targeted placement of conservation management practices (McConnell & Burger, 2011;Chaplin-Kramer et al, 2016). This precision conservation approach can potentially include perennial crops for sustainable cellulosic bioenergy production (Bonner et al, 2016;Chaubey et al, 2016).…”

A Midwest USA Perspective on Von Cossel et al.’s Prospects of Bioenergy Cropping Systems for a More Social-Ecologically Sound Bioeconomy

“…Bonner et al [19] developed a landscape design approach using a multi-objective optimization procedure. The method used the Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) to assess agronomic performance and soil health and assessed potential water quality using the Water Quality Index for Agricultural Lands (WQIag).…”