The Role of Bioenergy in a Fully Sustainable Global Energy System

Cornelissen, S Sjef; Koper, Michèle; Deng, Yvonne

doi:10.1201/b16341-6

Cited by 63 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Growing global energy needs and increasing efforts to substitute fossil fuels have led to extensive production of agricultural biomass for purposes of renewable energy generation [1]. At the same time, energy cropping poses direct and indirect threats to the sustainability of land use systems [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems

et al. 2015

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Rising global energy needs and limited fossil fuel reserves have led to increased use of renewable energies. In Germany, this has entailed massive exploitation of agricultural biomass for biogas generation, associated with unsustainable farming practices. Organic agriculture not only reduces negative environmental impacts, organic farmers were also prime movers in anaerobic digestion (AD) in Germany. This study's aim was to identify the structure, development, and characteristics of biogas production associated with organic farming systems in order to estimate further development, as well as energetic and associated agronomic potentials. Surveys were conducted among organic farms with AD technology. 144 biogas plants could be included in the analysis. Total installed electrical capacity was 30.8 MWel, accounting for only 0.8% of the total installed electrical capacity in the German biogas sector. Recently, larger plant types (>250 kWel) with increased use of (also purchased) energy crops have emerged. Farmers noticed increases in yields (22% on average) and quality of cash crops in arable farming through integrated biogas production. In conclusion, although the share of AD in organic farming is relatively small it can provide various complementary socio-ecological benefits such as the enhancement of food output through digestate fertilization without additional need for land, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manures and soils. However, to achieve this OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 10710 eco-functional intensification, AD systems and their management have to be well adapted to farm size and production focus and based primarily on residue biomass.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems

et al. 2015

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“…are used [7]. In those scenarios, the area of land needed for bioenergy crops would be 250 million ha, which is about one third of the land potential that can be used in a sustainable way.…”

Section: Biomass Production and Energy Securitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges for Crop Production Research in Improving Land Use, Productivity and Sustainability

Spiertz¹

2013

Sustainability

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Abstract:The demand for food, feed, and feedstocks for bioenergy and biofactory plants will increase proportionally due to population growth, prosperity, and bioeconomic growth. Securing food supply and meeting demand for biomass will involve many biological and agro-ecological aspects such as genetic plant improvement, sustainable land use, water-saving irrigation, and integrated nutrient management as well as control of pests, diseases and weeds. It will be necessary to raise biomass production and economic yield per unit of land-not only under optimum growing conditions, but even more under conditions constrained by climate, water availability, and soil quality. Most of the advanced agronomic research by national and international research institutes is dedicated to the major food crops: maize, rice, wheat, and potato. However, research on crops grown as feedstock, for bio-energy and industrial use under conditions with biophysical constraints, is lagging behind. Global and regional assessments of the potential for growing crops are mostly based on model and explorative studies under optimum conditions, or with either water or nitrogen deficiencies. More investments in combined experimental and modeling research are needed to develop and evaluate new crops and cropping systems under a wide range of agro-ecological conditions. An integral assessment of the biophysical production capacity and the impact on resource use, biodiversity and socio-economic factors should be carried out before launching large-scale crop production systems in marginal environments.

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“…Increases in oil price and growing concerns about the national security implications of national dependence on foreign energy sources together with concerns about the threat of global climate change caused by fossil fuel use have created a momentum for developing domestic, renewable energy sources [1][2][3]. Also, in the European Union (EU) renewable energy sources (RES) play a key role in current strategies to mitigate the impacts of global warming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Soil Quality for Yielding and Biometric Features of Miscanthus x Giganteus

Matyka

Kuś

2016

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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In recent years renewable energy sources (RES) have played a key role in current strategies to mitigate the impacts of global warming and independence on foreign energy sources. Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) is one of perennial grass which was identified as among best choices for low input bioenergy production. Our paper presents the relationship between the quality of soil and yielding as well as the biometrics features of miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus). Following this study Miscanthus x giganteus has best yields on soils of average quality, not too heavy. Obtained results can also conclude that achieving Miscanthus x giganteus yield at 2-4 kg DM (m 2 ) -1 is possible in the case of plants which grow from 30 to 60shoots for stump with a diameter of 7-9 mm and a height exceeding 2.5 m.

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The Role of Bioenergy in a Fully Sustainable Global Energy System

Cited by 63 publications

References 10 publications

Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems

Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems

Challenges for Crop Production Research in Improving Land Use, Productivity and Sustainability

Influence of Soil Quality for Yielding and Biometric Features of Miscanthus x Giganteus

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