CO2 Efficiency Break Points for Processes Associated to Wood and Coal Transport and Heating

Robert Baťa,Jan Fuka,Petra Lešáková,Jana Heckenbergerová

doi:10.3390/en12203864

Abstract

This paper aims to deal with CO2 emissions in energy production process in an original way, based on calculations of total specific CO2 emissions, depending on the type of fuel and the transport distance. This paper has ambition to set a break point from where it is not worthwhile to use wood as an energy carrier as the alternative to coal. The reason for our study is the social urgency of selected problem. For example, in the area of public sector decision-making, wood heating is promoted regardless of the availability within the reasonable distance. From the current state of the research, it is also clear that none of the studies compare coal and biomass fuel transportation from the point of view of CO2 production. For this purpose, an original methodology has been proposed. It is based on a modified life cycle assessment (LCA), supplemented with a system of equations. The proposed methodology has a generalizable nature, and therefore, it can be applied to different regions. However, calculation inputs and modelling are based on specific site data. Based on the presented numerical analysis, the key finding is the break point for associated processes at a distance of 1779.64 km, since when that it is better to burn brown coal than wood in terms of total CO2 emissions. We can conclude that, in some cases, it is more efficient to use coal instead of wood as fuel in terms of CO2 emissions, particularly in regard to transport distance and type of transport.

Highlights

In past decades, the issues of nature’s conservation, sustainability, energy intensity, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction have been problems for practitioners and scholars, but it increasingly, are becoming political problems
While under conditions of longer transport distances, the model clearly demonstrates the expectedly significant increase in inefficiency for shipping, including the so-called break point: the point from which coal is more efficient than wood in terms of CO2 emissions
Proposed an original methodology for calculating inefficiency in terms of CO2 emission and transport distance. This inefficiency relates to the nature of the material being transported

Summary

Introduction

The issues of nature’s conservation, sustainability, energy intensity, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction have been problems for practitioners and scholars, but it increasingly, are becoming political problems. When searching for the objective attitude, it is important to rely on quantifiable data and high-quality research. The correctness and relevance of the proposed policies should not be relativized, because of the gravity of this issue. In this case, a science based on empirical and quantifiable findings is the only fair and verifiable tool. In the context of the urgency of the open topic, the total specific CO2 emissions from the transport and burning processes of coal and wood, depending on the transport distances, were selected as indicators of environmental burden and energy intensities. How effective is the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion