Flare gas recovery for algal protein production

The project provides an updated Energy Return on Investment (EROI) for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). Results incorporate Argonne National Laboratory's Life Cycle Assessment and base case assumptions consistent with other projects in the Analysis subprogram. EROI is a ratio of the energy delivered to the consumer to the energy consumed to build, operate, and decommission the facility. EROI is important in assessing the viability of energy alternatives. Currently EROI analyses of geothermal energy are either out-of-date, of uncertain methodology, or presented online with little supporting documentation. This data set is a collection of files documenting data used to calculate the Energy Return On Investment (EROI) of Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS) and erratum to publications prior to the final report. Final report is available below, or from the OSTI web site (http://www.osti.gov/geothermal/). Data in this collections includes the well designs used, input parameters for GETEM, a discussion of the energy needed to haul materials to the drill site, the baseline mud program, and a summary of the energy needed to drill each of the well designs. EROI is the ratio of the energy delivered to the customer to the energy consumed to construct, operate, and decommission the facility. Whereas efficiency is the ratio of the energy delivered to the customer to the energy extracted from the reservoir.

Greenhouse gas emissions and energy assessment of modified diesohol using cashew nut shell liquid and biodiesel as additives

Given the environmental footprints of the conventional agriculture, it is imperative to test and validate alternative production systems, with lower environmental impacts to mitigate and adapt our production systems. In this study, we identified six production systems, four in Italy and two in Denmark, to assess the environmental footprint for comparison among the production systems and additionally with conventional production systems. SimaPro 8.4 software was used to carry out the life cycle impact assessment. Among other indicators, three significantly important indicators, namely global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication, were used as the proxy for life cycle impact assessment. In Italy, the production systems compared were silvopastoral, organic, traditional, and conventional olive production systems, whereas in Denmark, combined food and energy production system was compared with the conventional wheat production system. Among the six production systems, conventional wheat production system in Denmark accounted for highest global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication. In Italy, global warming potential was highest in traditional agroforestry and lowest in the silvopastoral system whereas acidification and eutrophication were lowest in the traditional production system with high acidification effects from the silvopastoral system. In Italy, machinery use contributed the highest greenhouse gas emissions in silvopastoral and organic production systems, while the large contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer was recorded in the traditional and conventional production systems. In Denmark, the combined food and energy system had lower environmental impacts compared to the conventional wheat production system according to the three indicators. For both systems in Denmark, the main contribution to greenhouse gas emission was due to fertilizer and manure application. The study showed that integrated food and non-food systems are more environmentally friendly and less polluting compared to the conventional wheat production system in Denmark with use of chemical fertilizers and irrigation. The study can contribute to informed decision making by the land managers and policy makers for promotion of environmentally friendly food and non-food production practices, to meet the European Union targets of providing biomass-based materials and energy to contribute to the bio-based economy in Europe and beyond.

Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier and storage medium that may be employed in a variety of applications. According to the industrial processes used for its production, hydrogen may be labelled using different colours: (i) grey hydrogen, produced from natural gas using steam methane reforming (SMR), (ii) blue hydrogen, like the grey one, but with carbon capture and storage (CCS), (iii) green hydrogen, produced by water electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources only, (iv) “grid” hydrogen, produced by electrolysis using grid electricity. In this study, process simulation is used to solve material and energy balances, as well as to estimate capital and maintenance costs for each technology investigated. Then, process simulation outcomes are used to estimate three key performance indicators focusing on sustainability issues: the Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI), the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). With reference to the case study of the Trieste port in Italy, the potential of synthesizing and utilizing hydrogen to fuel transportation activities within a port is examined. Based on the daily hydrogen consumption in fuel cells installed on locomotors and trucks, the design of the different processes considered is carried out, as well as their comparison in terms of EROEI, LCOH, and LCA. Furthermore, LCA and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations for various hydrogen-fueled vehicles within the port are presented and compared to diesel-fueled ones to determine the impact of fuel-cell vehicles during operations. Results show that EROEI of hydrogen produced by electrolysis is larger than that produced by SMR with or without CCS. The LCOH for grey hydrogen is of the same order of magnitude of that of green or grid ones. The hydrogen compression step to 300 bar impacts on both energetic and economic performances. LCA indicates that the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of green hydrogen is at least half with respect to blue hydrogen, however other impact categories are less favourable. On the other hand, the TCO of hydrogen-fueled vehicles is higher than that of diesel-fueled ones, mainly because of the higher purchase costs. It is concluded that the methodology proposed in this paper, based on the evaluation of indicators at the design stage, is suitable for comparing hydrogen production processes. In addition, it is a powerful tool for policy decision-makers in defining the strategies for the development of hydrogen-based transport systems in port operations.

Feeding a growing, increasingly affluent population while limiting environmental pressures of food production is a central challenge for society. Understanding the location and magnitude of food production is key to addressing this challenge because pressures vary substantially across food production types. Applying data and models from life cycle assessment with the methodologies for mapping cumulative environmental impacts of human activities (hereafter cumulative impact mapping) provides a powerful approach to spatially map the cumulative environmental pressure of food production in a way that is consistent and comprehensive across food types. However, these methodologies have yet to be combined. By synthesizing life cycle assessment and cumulative impact mapping methodologies, we provide guidance for comprehensively and cumulatively mapping the environmental pressures (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, spatial occupancy, and freshwater use) associated with food production systems. This spatial approach enables quantification of current and potential future environmental pressures, which is needed for decision makers to create more sustainable food policies and practices.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has developed into a useful methodology to assess energy consumption of fishing fleets and their derived seafood products, as well as the associated environmental burdens. In this study, however, the life cycle inventory data is used to provide a dimensionless ratio between energy inputs and the energy provided by the fish: the edible protein energy return on investment (ep-EROI). The main objective was to perform a critical comparison of seafood products landed in Galicia (NW Spain) in terms of ep-EROI. The combination of energy return on investment (EROI) with LCA, the latter having standardized mechanisms regarding data acquisition and system boundary delimitation, allowed a reduction of uncertainties in EROI estimations. Results allow a deeper understanding of the energy efficiency in the Galician fishing sector, showing that small pelagic species present the highest ep-EROI values if captured using specific fishing techniques. Finally, results are expected to provide useful guidelines for policy support in the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.

More caution is needed when using life cycle assessment to determine energy return on investment (EROI)

LCA of bioenergy chains in Piedmont (Italy): A case study to support public decision makers towards sustainability

Calculating systems-scale energy efficiency and net energy returns: A bottom-up matrix-based approach

Is aquatic bioenergy with carbon capture and storage a sustainable negative emission technology? Insights from a spatially explicit environmental life-cycle assessment

In the present book under review, the reader will have an opportunity to study and understand Australia’s different energy sectors. The reader will update him/herself with the technical, environmental, and economical aspects of energy production. The book’s novelty is in its discussion of the sustainability of different energy sources, ranging from non-renewable to renewable energy sources. The book “Energy in Australia – Peak Oil, Solar Power, and Asia’s Economic Growth” has been written in six chapters. The book is helpful for readers interested to learn about energy development in Australia. Students eager to learn about the economics of energy productions and the environmental impacts of energy production could also benefit from this book. The book includes a comprehensive energy analysis of rooftop solar systems along with its integration within modern electricity grid. The author provides technical depth to understand life-cycle boundaries and uses such parameters to perform energy efficient calculations for solar power in Australia. The book discusses how Australia is dependent on coal-fired electricity grids for homes despite of the fact that many homes in Australia have their own solar power systems. The author introduces the knowledge of photovoltaics (PV) in the context of modern electricity systems. The book explores the potential solar PV for Australia, since the country has unlimited sunshine throughout the year and has a modern electricity grid system. The key areas where the book focuses are solar power, rooftop solar systems, electricity system issues, energy production, utilization, and storage and more importantly, it discusses grid integration. These issues are addressed in six chapters. Chapter 1 – “Introduction: One Million Solar Systems” presents a theoretical background behind the aims and objectives of producing this work. It highlights the need of performing life-cycle analyses and a study of energy return on investment (EROI) of using solar panels in Australian homes – the quantity of which has passed one million in March 2013. Chapter 2 – “Quarry Australia: Building Australia on Coal” discusses the use of coal in Australia as an energy source. It discusses some pros and cons of using coal as an energy source. The chapter discusses major Australian coal based projects and highlights their economics. It also lists some of the major customers of Australian coal. Chapter 3 – “Toward Optimized Complexity: Integrating Intermittency” provides knowledge of using 100% renewable energy to meet Australian energy requirements. In particular, it focuses on electricity production and its use. This chapter also discusses the energy efficient processes in Melbourne, Denmark, Germany, and Spain and discusses their compactness over the technologies, which are utilized in developing such systems. Chapter 4 – In “Electricity Networks: Managing Peak Demand,” the author discusses the demand and supply of electricity at different working hours and the various factors, which effect the electricity generation. The chapter is an amalgam of knowledge about using wind as well as large-scale solar systems to meet the electricity demand. Chapter 5 – “EROI of Solar PV” is what I consider the “heart” of the book. It discusses one of the most important factors, examining the sustainability of an energy source, the life-cycle study. The chapter discusses life-cycle assessment (LCA) of energy sources. It also develops the ways to quantify renewable energy efficiency. The chapter discusses EROI as a measurement tool. In this chapter, the author presents various case studies of energy utilization in different regions of Australia and evaluates those case studies using the LCA parameter. Palmer study is unique; in that it discusses the process inputs and outputs. Moreover, the economics of such processes accompanies with environmental studies. The last chapter “Driving Down Emissions: The Role of Carbon Pricing” discusses one of the most important topics in today’s renewable research – carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is essentially a concept introduced by Australia and has triggered a debate to have a monetary incentive

Objective: This study investigates the implementation of waste management practices in environmental conservation parks, focusing on applying circular economy principles to reduce CO₂ emissions and mitigate environmental impacts associated with tourism. Theoretical Framework: Based on a theoretical framework that integrates Circular Economy, Zero Waste, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the research provides a comprehensive basis for analyzing challenges and opportunities in sustainable tourist destinations. Method: A case study was conducted at Parque Estadual de Vila Velha in Ponta Grossa (PR), Brazil, using document analysis, review of official reports, and the application of the Waste Reduction Model (WARM), which is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Both quantitative and qualitative data were systematically collected and analyzed to compare different waste management scenarios. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that the adoption of zero waste practices substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves operational efficiency in waste management, and enhances visitor experience. Research Implications: The study shows that adopting waste management practices based on the circular economy and the zero waste concept can lead to a significant reduction in GHG emissions. The scenario that proposes the local treatment of organic waste, such as composting, presents a significant reduction in emissions. This indicates that investing in on-site treatment technologies can be an effective strategy to improve waste management and reduce the need for transportation, which is a significant source of emissions. Originality/Value: Discussion of emissions scenarios from waste treatment in an environmental preservation tourist park, based on the WARM methodology. Comparison of results from different treatments, implications for waste transportation and segregation.

Life Cycle Assessment and Net Energy Analysis of an Integrated Hydrothermal Liquefaction-Anaerobic Digestion of Single and Mixed Beverage Waste and Sewage Sludge

Life cycle net energy and greenhouse gas emissions of photosynthetic cyanobacterial biorefineries: Challenges for industrial production of biofuels

This study aims to determine the eco-friendliness of microalgae-based renewable energy production in several scenarios based on life cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA provides critical data for sustainable decision-making and energy requirement analysis, including net energy ratio (NER) and cumulative energy demand (CED). The Centrum voor Milieuwetenschappen Leiden (CML) IA-Baseline was used on environmental impact assessment method by SimaPro v9.3.0.3® software and energy analysis of biofuel production using native polyculture microalgae biomass in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) Bojongsoang, Bandung, Indonesia. The study was analyzed under three scenarios: (1) the current scenario; (2) the algae scenario without waste heat and carbon dioxide (CO2); and (3) the algae scenario with waste heat and carbon dioxide (CO2). Waste heat and CO2 were obtained from an industrial zone near the WWTP. The results disclosed that the microalgae scenario with waste heat and CO2 utilization is the most promising scenario with the lowest environmental impact (- 0.139kg CO2eq/MJ), positive energy balance of 1.23MJ/m3 wastewater (NER > 1), and lower CED value across various impact categories. It indicates that utilizing the waste heat and CO2 has a positive impact on energy efficiency. Based on the environmental impact, NER and CED values, this study suggests that the microalgae scenario with waste heat and CO2 is more feasible and sustainable to adopt and could be implemented at the Bojongsoang WWTP.