Economic factors influencing potential use of cellulosic crop residues for electricity generation

Maung, Thein A.; McCarl, Bruce A.

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2013.04.064

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…These prices reflect a broad price range for possible future GHG emission offset credits. Current estimates for GHG emissions prices start from $15 t −1 CO 2e [27,63], with an upper price limit of GHG emissions estimated around $50 t −1 CO 2e [63].…”

Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The combustion of residues can potentially achieve GHG emissions neutrality in a very short period [24,25]. A number of studies have demonstrated the use of various types of residual biomass for heat and electricity production [14,[26][27][28] and have found that residue biomass is only economically viable without government support when the avoided GHG emissions are given a market value. Indeed, various pricing mechanisms that set up markets for GHG emissions offsets for biomass-based projects are already in operation [29,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Renewable Energy from Forest Residues—How Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets Can Make Fossil Fuel Substitution More Attractive

Yemshanov

McKenney

Hope

et al. 2018

Forests

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Burning forest biomass from renewable sources has been suggested as a viable strategy to help offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the energy generation sector. Energy facilities can, in principle, be retrofitted to produce a portion of their energy from biomass. However, supply uncertainties affect costs, and are an important impediment to widespread and sustained adoption of this strategy. In this paper, we describe a general approach to assess the cost of offsetting GHG emissions at co-generation facilities by replacing two common fossil fuels, coal and natural gas, with forest harvest residue biomass for heat and electricity production. We apply the approach to a Canadian case study that identifies the price of GHG offsets that could make the use of forest residue biomass feedstock attractive. Biomass supply costs were based on a geographical assessment of industrial harvest operations in Canadian forests, biomass extraction and transportation costs, and included representation of basic ecological sustainability and technical accessibility constraints. Sensitivity analyses suggest that biomass extraction costs have the largest impact on the costs of GHG emission offsets, followed by fossil fuel prices. In the context of other evaluations of mitigation strategies in the energy generation sector, such as afforestation or industrial carbon capture, this analysis suggests that the substitution of fossil fuels by forest residue biomass could be a viable and reasonably substantive short-term alternative under appropriate GHG emission pricing schemes.

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Section: Sensitivity Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable Energy from Forest Residues—How Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets Can Make Fossil Fuel Substitution More Attractive

Yemshanov

McKenney

Hope

et al. 2018

Forests

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Second, bioelectricity generated from waste biomass may not be competitive. For example, McCarl et al () and Maung and McCarl () using a PE model, called the Forest and Agricultural Sector Model with Greenhouse Gases (FASOMGHG), find biomass cannot compete with coal and natural gas to generate bioelectricity in the United States. However, they assume producers haul the waste biomass to co‐fire with coal at electric power plants, which raises production cost.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The quantity mandate forces producers to supply bioenergy even at an economic loss (Suttles et al ). Another assumption imposed on some models is the country has a tradable carbon dioxide emissions permit market, such as McCarl and Schneider () and Maung and McCarl (). Electric companies can either buy permits to emit carbon dioxide or implement carbon savings by implementing new technology such as co‐firing biomass with coal.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, some researchers suggest that bioelectricity generated from waste biomass may not be competitive. For example, McCarl et al () and Maung and McCarl () argue that using biomass to generate electricity cannot compete with coal and natural gas in the United States. However, they assume producers haul the waste biomass to co‐fire with coal at electric power plants, which raises costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bioelectricity in Malaysia: economic feasibility, environmental and deforestation implications

Szulczyk

Cheema

Cullen

et al. 2019

Aus J Agri & Res Econ

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We investigate the economic feasibility of bioelectricity production from biomass in Malaysia and its impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and storage, agricultural prices, agricultural employment and deforestation. For this purpose, we develop a partial equilibrium model that projects agricultural prices, production, imports, exports, domestic consumption and land use in 5‐year increments between 2015 and 2065. Our results show that by 2030 biomass‐generated electricity can supply 36.5 per cent of the electricity generated in Malaysia, 16 times more than the 2016 electricity supply from biomass. Increased bioelectricity production from biomass will significantly reduce GHG emissions and will help Malaysia meet its commitment in the Paris Agreement to mitigate GHG emission by 45 per cent before 2030. Our modelling shows that biomass‐generated electricity creates a derived demand for waste biomass that expands the area of oil palm plantations. The expansion lowers agricultural prices, boosts agricultural employment and leads to some deforestation as landowners clear rainforest to plant oil palm trees. Nonetheless, the deforestation does not increase GHG emissions since GHG gains from bioelectricity significantly exceed GHG losses from deforestation.

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Economic factors influencing potential use of cellulosic crop residues for electricity generation

Cited by 13 publications

References 29 publications

Renewable Energy from Forest Residues—How Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets Can Make Fossil Fuel Substitution More Attractive

Renewable Energy from Forest Residues—How Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets Can Make Fossil Fuel Substitution More Attractive

Bioelectricity in Malaysia: economic feasibility, environmental and deforestation implications

Enhancing the commercial viability of commercial algal bioethanol production: The role of technological advancements

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