Life cycle human health and ecotoxicological impacts assessment of electricity production from wood biomass compared to coal fuel

Abstract

Analyzing human health and ecotoxicological impacts is crucial in the development of sustainable energy products and technologies. In this research, the human health and ecotoxicological impacts of electricity production from wood biomass were compared to coal fuel. Four bioenergy pathways based on forest residue, round wood chips, and wood pellet feedstocks were compared to direct-fired coal combustion pathway using a novel life cycle assessment approach. Bioenergy pathways significantly reduced both human health and ecosystem quality, when compared to coal fuel combustion. The reduction in toxicity ranged from 89 to 95% for carcinogenics, 68–81% for non carcinogenics, and 66–76% for ecotoxicity impacts, when compared to coal-fired electricity. Use of forest residue feedstock is the absolute option to reduce both human toxicity and ecotoxicity impacts. On the other hand, the respiratory effect of coal fuel was lower by approximately 60–72%, when compared to bioenergy pathways. The respiratory effects impact of all energy pathways is primarily a result of fuel combustion at power plant. Improvements in power plant efficiency, silviculture management, and reduced transport distance have the potential to reduce the respiratory effects of bioenergy systems. Bioenergy can assist Alberta’s Climate Leadership plan in the production of sustainable electricity.