Biofuels as a Key Renewable Energy Source: a Review of Life Cycle Assessment Studies in South Africa

Abstract

Biofuels are important sources of energy especially in the face of the global climate problem and threats. This comprehensive review paper brings forth a critical analysis of the role of biofuels as a potential solution to energy crises, with a specific focus on South Africa. Leveraging the methodologies of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), we systematically delve into the environmental impact of biofuel production and its implications on policy decisions. The manuscript encompasses an exhaustive review of selected academic studies which primarily explore the generation of electricity via biofuel technologies. We investigate the functional units employed in the respective studies, providing an illustrative overview of their variance, and elucidating their significance in shaping the outcomes of these assessments. The study also evaluates a broad spectrum of environmental impact categories, unraveling a complex interplay of diverse factors and ascertaining which biofuel has the least environmental impact. The role of biofuels in South Africa’s energy transition are explored and recommendations for a more standardized and comprehensive approach to future LCA studies in biofuels proposed. From our synthesis of the collected data, we identify Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Human Toxicity (HT) as predominant environmental issues that demand urgent attention. This paper culminates in a nuanced examination of the prospective role that biofuels can play in addressing South Africa’s energy crisis while cognizant of the challenges hindering the growth of its biofuel industry.