The latest years, oil and gas demand reduction
incurred market turbulences as a result of oil wells exploitation uncertainties
and new green policies towards sustainability that turn the stakeholders to
eco-friendlier energy sources. A challenging alternative to this direction is
the increment of biomass share in the overall consumed energy balance. From
many standpoints of view, biomass has minor impact on the CO2-cycle
balance “operating” as an offset against CO2 photosynthesis. In the present work, a practically holistic interpretation of
biomass energy contribution in our societies was outlined. Expert systems were
developed as a tool to biomass energy analysis and certain models were presented to approach
estimation of individual parts of biomass exploitation chain. The tendency of
energy crop land availability and best cultivated practices were presented as
well. A schematic cost analysis of biomass utilization was performed under most
common operational scenarios. Economic evaluation, future strategic planning
and environmental impact from energy biomass utilization were all analyzed up
to a certain point. Biomass as a renewable energy form is expected to bring
about a positive cost/benefit ratio.
Biomass, in general, is easier to handle, (storage-transportation), cost-effective and more beneficial in terms of
greenhouse gases (GHG) net emissions as results from an incorporated ad hoc
developed SWOT analysis.
References
[1]
An, H., & Searcy, S. W. (2012). Searcy Economic and Energy Evaluation of a Logistics System Based on Biomass Modules. Biomass and Bioenergy, 46, 190-202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.09.002
[2]
Faaij, A., Wagener, M., Junginger, M., van Weereld, A., Schouwenberg, P., Kwant, K. et al. (2006) Opportunities and Barriers for Sustainable International Bio-Energy Trade: Towards a Strategic Advice of IEA Task 40. In 14th European Biomass Conference, 17-21 October, Paris, France.
[3]
Greene, D. L., & Tishchishyna, N. I. (2000). Costs of Oil Dependence: ORNL/TM-2000/152. Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
[4]
Hall, D. O., & Scrase, J. I. (1998). Will Biomass Be the Environmentally Friendly Fuel of the Future? Biomass and Bioenergy, 15, 357-367.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0961-9534(98)00030-0
[5]
Hall, D. O., Rosillo-Calle, F., Williams, R. H., & Woods, J. (1993). Biomass for Energy: Supply Prospects. In B. J. Johansson, H. Kelly, A. K. N. Reddy, & R. H. Williams (Eds.), Renewable Energy: Sources for Fuels and Electricity (pp. 583-652). Washington DC: Island Press.
[6]
Heinimö, J. (2008). Methodological Aspects on International Biofuels Trade: International Streams and Trade of Solid and Liquid Biofuels in Finland. Biomass and Bioenergy, 32, 702-716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.01.003
[7]
Hubbard, H. (1991). The Real Cost of Energy. Scientific American, 264, 36-42.
https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0491-36
[8]
Klass, L. D. (1998). Energy Consumption, Reserves, Depletion, and Environmental Issues. In D. L. Klass (Ed.), Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals (pp. 1-27). New York, NY: Academic Press.
[9]
Kulkarni, M. G., & Dalai, A. K. (2006). Waste Cooking Oil—An Economical Source for Biodiesel: A Review. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 45, 2901-2913.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0510526
[10]
LaTourrette, T., Ortiz, D. S, Hlavka, E., Burger, H., & Cecchine, G. (2011). Supplying Biomass to Power Plants: A Model of the Costs of Utilizing Agricultural Biomass in Cofired Power Plants. Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR: National Energy Technology Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.2172/1515273
[11]
Macedo, I. D. C. (1998). Energy from Biomass and Wastes. Biomass & Bioenergy, 3, 77-80.
[12]
McLaughlin, S. B., Samson, R., Bransby, D., & Wiselogel, A. (1996) Evaluating Physical, Chemical, and Energetic Properties of Perennial Grasses as Biofuels. 7th National Bioenergy Conference, Nashville, 15-20 September 1996.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6701(98)96595-x
[13]
Sharif, A. B. M. H., Nasrulhaq, A. B., Majid, H. A. M., Chandran, S., & Zuliana, R. (2007). Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil as Environmental Benefits and Recycling Process. A Review. Asia Biofuel Conference Book, Singapore, 11-13 December 2007.
[14]
Sharif, H., Aishah, S., Boyce, A., Chowdhury, P., & Naqiuddin, M. (2008). Biodiesel Fuel Production from Algae as Renewable Energy A.B.M. American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 4, 250-254.
[15]
Tracking SDF 7, The Energy Progress Report (2020). International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Washington DC: The World Bank.
https://unstats.un.org/unsd/energystats/pubs/documents/sdg_7_2020.pdf
[16]
Turkenburg, W. C. (2000). Renewable Energy Technologies. In J. Goldemberg (Ed.), World Energy Assessment, Preface (pp. 219-272). New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme.
[17]
Van Dama, J., Faaija, A. P. C., Lewandowskia, I., & Fischerb, G. (2007). Biomass Production Potentials in Central and Eastern Europe under Different Scenarios. Biomass and Bioenergy, 31, 345-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2006.10.001