Bioenergy Technologies Research Articles

Experimental investigation of the performance of anaerobic membrane bioreactor with electrolytic regeneration (AMBER) for challenges and options in wastewater treatment

Significant changes in wastewater services are necessary for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), by utilizing resource recovery, recycle, and reuse in urban wastewater-treatment plants. Based on recent experiences, to improve the filtration behavior of a membrane bioreactor, a hybrid system including an upgraded anaerobic baffled reactor coupled with an electrolysis process and a nanocomposite-membrane was developed. The system, called an anaerobic membrane bioreactor with electrolytic regeneration (AMBER), is a bio-electrochemical process that is expected to be simultaneously efficient in both biogas augmentation and fouling mitigation. The goals were to enhance the stability and efficiency of the anaerobic membrane bioreactor. The integration of the electrolytic process with the ABR (EABR) using a pair of iron electrodes enhanced the removal of contaminants in the ABR while successfully maintained pH in the optimum range for anaerobic digestion (6.8 to 7.2). Then, the performance of AMBER in pollutant removal, including organic load, suspended solids, and microbial load, were investigated over 240 days. The results showed that configuration considerably enhanced permeate flux, as it reduced the deposition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the surface of the nanocomposite membrane, leading to a reduction in membrane fouling. EPS was extracted and quantified to compare the effect of biogas backwash on the function of the membrane reactor. After 7 d of operation with a daily biogas backwash, the flux reduction was approximately 13 % for the conventional combination of the anaerobic baffled reactor and the membrane bioreactor (AMBR), while it was limited to 4 % in AMBER. After cleaning by the biogas, EPS formation decreased 63 % in AMBER when compared to the AMBR. The results revealed that AMBER can be considered an environmentally competitive bioenergy technology for wastewater treatment with the purpose of water recovery and reuse, employing optimized operational conditions, application of antifouling membranes, and electrically-based strategies.

Identifying Challenges and Drivers for Deployment of Centralized Biogas Plants in Denmark

There is an increasing need to accelerate the diffusion of biogas technology, to contribute to handling grand societal challenges. It is thus concerning that around 30% of all biogas projects are abandoned. Previous studies have found that challenges for deployment of bioenergy technology are mainly economic and financial challenges, market and infrastructure challenges, regulatory and administrative challenges, local opposition, site selection challenges and ecological aspects. Very few studies have however tried to understand how these different types of challenges specifically affect individual biogas projects. Also, no previous studies have identified where these challenges occur in the different phases of a project’s lifecycle (conceptualization, planning, and execution). A lack of understanding that limits the ability of both public institutions and project owners to ensure the success of biogas projects. The aim of this study is to fill this knowledge gap and provide a unique insight into the often very complex and long project lifecycle for the realization of centralized biogas projects. Results based on five comprehensive longitudinal case studies of attempts to realize centralized biogas projects, all taking place between 2008–2020 in Denmark, provide insight into how projects are specially affected by these different types of challenges, and shows that both successful and abandoned projects typically faced an array of challenges that project owners need to overcome. The study also from a bottom-up perspective provides insight into the implementation of national policies and initiatives assigned to the accelerated deployment of biogas technology in Denmark between 2008–2020 as well as critical factors at the local level driving the development.

Environmentalization of Production as a Direction of Ensuring the Sustainability of Production Activities of Enterprises and Increasing Their Economic Security

Within the article, the essence of the concept and theoretical aspects of greening production as a separate area of ensuring the sustainability of production activities of the enterprise is considered. The basic principles of ensuring the environmentalization of production have been studied, among the key ones are the principles of systematization, complexity, responsibility, scientific validity, economic balance, as well as the principle of permanent improvement. The authors also consider the main tools for production greening (utilization, recycling, biochemical, bioenergy technologies and technologies of environmental adaptation), as well as a study of the main stages of production greening. The dynamics of some indicators that characterize the trends in the prevalence of production greening among entrepreneurs in terms of the number of enterprises that implement relevant measures and those, which measures, are innovative and significant. The methodical approach of estimation of production greening with use of the methods of standardization, complex indicators and comparison is offered. A list of recommended measures for production greening by enterprises has been formed. The list of recommendatory measures of the enterprises production greening is formed, which include: development of ways to ensure the processing and reuse of industrial waste; conducting a study of the production system for the possible generation of returnable waste; introduction of measures to reduce the material consumption of products; reduction of energy consumption of equipment’s separate elements; development and implementation of technological processes that eliminate or minimize emissions and emissions of harmful substances into the environment, etc.

Synthetic zeolites market will reach $2.7 bn by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.5%

The search for sustainable technologies has become a priority in recent years due to the unprecedented growth in the human population and its adverse effects on the environment. In this context, the potential of microalgae as a source of value-added products has received considerable attention, but for the production of microalgae to be economically viable and sustainable, more significant optimization of mass culture conditions is necessary. The use of microalgae for the treatment of effluents and the parallel production of low-cost biomass can be a viable alternative for different reasons, such as reducing the cost of nutrients, water resources, and energy. This chapter discusses the primary microalgae cultures and their potential for bioremediation in different types of wastewater. In addition, the leading bioenergy technologies are discussed, as well as their applications and prospects.

CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated P‐CR domain‐specific engineering of CESA4 heterodimerization capacity alters cell wall architecture and improves saccharification efficiency in poplar

SummaryCellulose is the most abundant unique biopolymer in nature with widespread applications in bioenergy and high‐value bioproducts. The large transmembrane‐localized cellulose synthase (CESA) complexes (CSCs) play a pivotal role in the biosynthesis and orientation of the para‐crystalline cellulose microfibrils during secondary cell wall (SCW) deposition. However, the hub CESA subunit with high potential homo/heterodimerization capacity and its functional effects on cell wall architecture, cellulose crystallinity, and saccharification efficiency remains unclear. Here, we reported the highly potent binding site containing four residues of Pro435, Trp436, Pro437, and Gly438 in the plant‐conserved region (P‐CR) of PalCESA4 subunit, which are involved in the CESA4‐CESA8 heterodimerization. The CRISPR/Cas9‐knockout mutagenesis in the predicted binding site results in physiological abnormalities, stunt growth, and deficient roots. The homozygous double substitution of W436Q and P437S and heterozygous double deletions of W436 and P437 residues potentially reduced CESA4‐binding affinity resulting in normal roots, 1.5–2‐fold higher plant growth and cell wall regeneration rates, 1.7‐fold thinner cell wall, high hemicellulose content, 37%–67% decrease in cellulose content, high cellulose DP, 25%–37% decrease in cellulose crystallinity, and 50% increase in saccharification efficiency. The heterozygous deletion of W436 increases about 2‐fold CESA4 homo/heterodimerization capacity led to the 50% decrease in plant growth and increase in cell walls thickness, cellulose content (33%), cellulose DP (20%), and CrI (8%). Our findings provide a strategy for introducing commercial CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated bioengineered poplars with promising cellulose applications. We anticipate our results could create an engineering revolution in bioenergy and cellulose‐based nanomaterial technologies.

Life Cycle Cost analysis for industrial bioenergy projects: Development of a simulation tool and application to three demand sectors in Africa

Publicly available toolkits for cost calculation in renewable energy projects were reviewed, and their main characteristics, strengths and weaknesses identified. An original Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) modelling toolkit was developed to address some of the identified shortcomings, and to facilitate the calculation of costs of electrical and thermal energy from biomass-based processing pathways. The toolkit was used to compare the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for electricity and/or heat generation for a ‘Bioenergy Case’, after the adoption of bioenergy technology, and compared with equivalent costs under a business-as-usual ‘Base Case’, for selected commercial demand sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, within a 10 kW to 5 MW scale range. Case Studies of the toolkit’s application are described for a smallholder tea factory in Kenya, a wood processing enterprise in Tanzania and an oil palm mill in Ghana, which illustrate its ability to model energy production based on both combustion and anaerobic digestion, under various heat, power and combined heat and power configurations. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the effect on LCOEheat and LCOEelectricity of adjustments in key operating parameters, such as biomass feedstock cost, feed-in tariff for export of surplus power to the grid or on-site energy demand. The versatility of the LCC toolkit enables bioenergy projects to be modelled from different perspectives (biomass feedstock diversification, conversion pathways or business models) and for different users (plant managers, project developers or potential investors), and it can be customised and adapted as prices, legislation and technical aspects evolve with time.

The contribution of bioenergy to the decarbonization of transport: a multi-model assessment

The expected growth in the demand for passenger and freight services exacerbates the challenges of reducing transport GHG emissions, especially as commercial low-carbon alternatives to petroleum fuels are limited for shipping, air and long-distance road travel. Biofuels can offer a pathway to significantly reduce emissions from these sectors, as they can easily substitute for conventional liquid fuels in internal combustion engines. In this paper, we assess the potential of bioenergy to reduce transport GHG emissions through an analysis leveraging various integrated assessment models and scenarios, as part of the 33rd Energy Modeling Forum study (EMF-33). We find that bioenergy can contribute a significant, albeit not dominant, proportion of energy supply to the future transport sector: in scenarios aiming to keep the temperature increase below 2 °C by the end of the twenty-first century, models project that in 2100 bioenergy can provide on average 42 EJ/yr (ranging from 5 to 85 EJ/yr) for transport (compared to 3.7 EJ in 2018), mainly through lignocellulosic fuels. This makes up 9–62% of final transport energy use. Only a small amount of bioenergy is projected to be used in transport through electricity and hydrogen pathways, with a larger role for biofuels in road passenger transport than in freight. The association of carbon capture and storage (CCS) with bioenergy technologies (BECCS) is a key determinant in the role of biofuels in transport, because of the competition for biomass feedstock to provide other final energy carriers along with carbon removal. Among models that consider CCS in the biofuel conversion process the average market share of biofuels is 21% in 2100 (ranging from 2 to 44%), compared to 10% (0–30%) for models that do not. Cumulative direct emissions from the transport sector account for half of the emission budget (from 306 to 776 out of 1,000 GtCO2). However, the carbon intensity of transport decreases as much as other energy sectors in 2100 when accounting for process emissions, including carbon removal from BECCS. Lignocellulosic fuels become more attractive for transport decarbonization if BECCS is not feasible for any energy sectors. Since global transport service demand increases and biomass supply is limited, its allocation to and within the transport sector is uncertain and sensitive to assumptions about political as well as technological and socioeconomic factors.

Gender Aspects Influencing Adoption of Bioenergy Conservation Technologies, the Case Lower Eastern Kenya

This paper examines the influence of gender in adoption of biomass energy conservation in Eastern Kenya. The region suffers deforestation, environmental degradation and threatened species as result of overexploitation of tree resources for woodfuel production. The government of Kenya and development partners has developed and promoted energy conservation technologies in the region for increased access to sustainable energy resources in rural areas geared towards achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to increased access to clean and affordable energy, the eradication of poverty and environmental sustainability, climate action as well as gender equality and the empowerment of women. Despite these efforts, adoption and continued use of improved bioenergy technologies has been low. The objective of the study was to determine gender aspects influencing adoption of biomass energy conservation technologies at household and community levels. The study was carried out in selected sub-counties of Kitui County using a survey design. Structured questionnaire and thematic guidelinesfor group discussions were used to collect data from 192 respondents. SPSS and Excel were used for data analysis. Results revealed that, at 0.05% level of significance, adoption of improved technologies were positively correlated to income and awareness levels. Inadequate awareness on benefits of improved bioenergy technologies among men, biased resource ownership, cultural roles and responsibilities, lack of inclusive decision making and over dependence on men and subsistence farming for financial support by women were indicated as key factors influencing adoption of improved technologies. The study concludes that though women are culturally responsible for provision of food and cooking energy, high poverty among women, and lack of awareness on the socio-economic benefits among men affects adoption of improved bioenergy technologies. The study recommends financial empowerment of women, inclusive decision making and mainstreaming gender at all levels of project implementation for increased adoption of new technologies.

The Optimal Development Paths of Competing Bioenergy Technologies: An Economic and Environmental Evaluation

The Optimal Development Paths of Competing Bioenergy Technologies: An Economic and Environmental Evaluation

Integrating By-Products from Bioenergy Technology for Morpho-Physiological Growth of Soybean Under Acidic Soil

Integrating By-Products from Bioenergy Technology for Morpho-Physiological Growth of Soybean Under Acidic Soil

The contribution of forest-based bioenergy in achieving deep decarbonization: Insights for Quebec (Canada) using a TIMES approach

This study assesses the contribution of various forest-based bioenergy technologies when transitioning to a low carbon economy. A detailed modeling of different forest-based bioenergy pathways is provided following a techno-economic (bottom-up) approach. As an illustration, these pathways are implemented in NATEM-Québec, a detailed bottom-up energy model for Québec, Canada. It is the first time different primary and secondary forest-based bioenergy technologies are being modeled in such a detailed bottom-up energy system model like TIMES. A detailed analysis of forest-based bioenergy potential in Quebec is also provided under different greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction scenarios. Main insights are as follows. The transportation sector is the primary contributor to GHG emissions over the time horizon in all scenarios, except for the most stringent GHG reduction scenario (GHGB) in 2050. The industrial sector is the main emitter by 2050 in GHGB, indicating the difficulties to decarbonize heavy industry. Furthermore, an extensive electrification is required to reach the GHG reduction targets. The bioenergy share is expected to increase considerably in the transportation and industrial sectors, cutting down on the need to reduce GHG emissions. Forest-based bioenergies such as cellulosic bioethanol, biobased heat, FT diesel and electricity as a co-product can effectively support this energy transition. The present study discerns forest-based bioenergies as an attainable decarbonization pathway for the province of Quebec and envisages a greater penetration of bioenergy than in the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy proposed by the government of Québec. Other world regions with a declining trend for traditional forest products should also consider such a strategy.

State policy in the field of implementation of bioenergy technologies in the context of its regulatory and legal support

State policy in the field of implementation of bioenergy technologies in the context of its regulatory and legal support

Direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells powered by rice husk biochar

The inefficient application of fossil energy is one of the fundamental factors leading to global warming. Bioenergy is a renewable energy and also a carbon-neutral energy, with advantages of extensive sources, diverse products, and environmental friendliness. Direct carbon solid oxide fuel cell (DC-SOFC) is a novel high-efficient bioenergy technology, which is able to directly convert the chemical energy of biochar into power. A biochar derived from rice husk is applied to power an electrolyte-supported DC-SOFC. The maximum power density of the cell with pure rice husk biochar is 135 mW cm−2 at 850°C, which enhances to 214 mW cm−2 after using a Boudouard reaction catalyst. The microstructures, components and thermochemical parameters of the biochar are characterized and analyzed. The results show that the microstructure of the rice husk biochar is rough and porous. Na, K, Mg, Al, and other elements are found to present in the biochar. The physicochemical properties of the biochar and the enhanced electrical output of the DC-SOFCs are demonstrated and discussed in detail.

Development of solar and bioenergy technology in Africa for green development—Addressing barriers and untapped potential

Globally, over quarter of population experiences energy crisis, particularly those living in rural communities of developing countries. Many of such victims are the people within the Africa continent. More than 600 million people lives in Africa without access to electricity. Energy use is a requirement for physical and socio-economic development of every country. Bioenergy and solar energy has currently seen an increase in its development in many countries in Africa. However, their major concern is its technological development and finance as well as impact on the environment. The study evaluates the solar and bioenergy potential utilization and future prospects in Africa. It also discusses some of the principal challenges negatively influencing its development. Conclusions are drawn on the need for effective international cooperation on inputs from financial, resources and technological advance mechanisms for solar and bio energies development in Africa. For example Development of new businesses should be linked with solar PV and bioenergy infrastructure to promote effective rural electrification. This study provides beneficial information, which will serve as a reference to help improve bioenergy and solar power development.

Life cycle assessment of bioenergy production from macroalgae : A review

The sustainability integration to achieve circular economy pressures the development of renewable raw material and bioenergy sources, including marine biomass such as macroalgae. The consideration of sustainable conversion technology for bioenergy from macroalgae is critically highlighted. Various studies have been emphasized that life cycle assessment (LCA) can be applied to assess the efficacy and environmental aspects of bioenergy production from cradle-to-grave. This systematic review attempts to critically evaluate the development of LCA studies on macroalgae valorisation for bioenergy. Several online databases (i.e., Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Springer, DOAJ, and MDPI) were used to collect the relevant articles. Then, PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) method has been selected to screen the most recent research articles (from January 2011 to June 2021) published in peer-reviewed international journals. The studies presented the development, opportunities, challenges, and future research for the commercialization of macroalgae as a sustainable feedstock for bioenergy.

Analysis Of Bioenergy From Corncob Waste To Increase People's Economic Condition In Tantom Angkola Subdristrict Tapanuli Selatan Regency

The increase production of corn (Zea Mays L.) causes the amount of corncob waste to be abundant in Tantom Angkola Subdistrict. The requires an analysis of the potential utilization of corncob waste as a bioenergy raw material This study aims to analyze the use of bioenergy from corncobs waste to improve the economy of the community in Tantom Angkola Subdistrict, Tapanuli Selatan Regency. This research was conducted from April to June 2021. This research is a quantitative study. Based on the results of the study, the average corn production was 9.192.22 tons/year with the potential for corn cobs waste reaching 130.95 tons/year. Utilization of corncobs waste by using technology can produce briquette, gas and bioethanol. Prospects of developing a bioenergy technology that is feasible to run as a business are briquettes and bioethanol.

Mapping the path forward to next generation algal technologies: Workshop on understanding the rules of life and complexity in algal systems

Algal technology offers enormous potential as a source of renewable biomass and bioproducts for fuels, biochemicals, nutrients, and numerous other applications. While tremendous opportunities exist, significant challenges are also present in harnessing and utilizing this valuable and potentially sustainable bioproduction platform. Funded by a joint partnership between the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the recent virtual workshop, “Understanding the Rules of Life: Complexity in Algal Systems Workshop,” was organized to bring together thought leaders from academia, national laboratories and other government agencies, and industry to identify key challenges and propose research strategies to overcome these barriers. Two parallel sessions were undertaken: 1) algae strain and toolkit development and 2) algal ecosystem and microbiome dynamics, in order to advance algae engineering and cultivation efforts. In each session, attendees discussed the most pressing challenges from the perspective of model systems and omics analysis. Themes such as genetic engineering toolboxes, translation from the laboratory to outdoor cultivation, functional genomics, metabolomics, algal ecology, consortial design, microbiome dynamics, mathematical models, and data analytics emerged from the discussion. Overall, this workshop has served to elucidate the key hurdles and many opportunities present as we continue to advance algal science and technology from the laboratory and into the commercial realm.

Driving public acceptance (instead of skepticism) of technologies enabling bioenergy production: A corporate social responsibility perspective

Public acceptance of industrial activities to implement bioenergy technologies is not self-evident. Little is known about how public acceptance of such industrial activities can be increased, though public acceptance is critical to make the transition towards renewable energy. In the current study, we use a corporate social responsibility framework to examine which types of citizen attributions of industry motives to implement bioenergy technologies are associated with public acceptance (versus skepticism) of these industrial activities, in terms of trust and greenwashing perceptions. Findings from a survey conducted in four European countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Spain, Sweden; n = 3054) demonstrate that an important step towards public acceptance lies in citizens viewing this industrial activity as values-driven: the stronger the values-driven attributions are, the more (integrity-based) trust citizens have and the less this industrial activity is perceived as greenwashing. The strength of the relation between values-driven attributions with both trust and greenwashing is particularly pronounced among citizens who view themselves as knowledgeable on renewable energy technologies. Furthermore, citizen attributions to strictly self-benefitting causes (egoistic-driven, strategic-driven) are associated with less trust and stronger greenwashing perceptions. To conclude, the more citizens attribute industries’ implementation of bioenergy technologies to core social, moral values, the greater the public acceptance of these technological advancements.

Exploring and visualizing co-patent networks in bioenergy field: A perspective from inventor, transnational inventor, and country

ABSTRACT Bioenergy is an important renewable energy source. Its development depends more on technological innovation, especially collaborative innovation. As patent data shows the latest technological progress, it is considered to be one of the indicators describing technological innovation. This paper analyzes the accumulation process of bioenergy technology innovation capabilities in different countries or regions from the perspective of co-patents. We collected all co-patents in bioenergy field in the European Patent Office (EPO) from 1976 to 2018, and used social network analysis to visualize the nodes, clusters and their relationships in the inventor, transnational inventor and country co-patent networks. The empirical results indicate that the number of co-patents has noticeably increased since 2008. The most common technology areas comprise biofuels, biochemistry and enzymology. China has the largest number of co-patents in bioenergy field and it is prominent in the inventor co-patent network. The United States is more important in the transnational inventor co-patent network and the country co-patent network, and both are dominant. The research on the status of co-patents can provide a new perspective for technological innovation, which will help make future technology planning of different countries more rationally.

Agro-forestry waste management- A review

Agroforestry, an integration of farming system with woody perennials leads to the generation of potential agroforestry residues. The conventional treatment of agroforestry waste includes landfilling, thermal management, and decomposition which is accompanied with their own share of disadvantages. The ample amount of residues and products needs effective management to reap the economic and environmental benefits. The channel of waste collection, transportation, and recycle or valorization into products like biofuel, fertilizers, biochar, industrial chemicals is essential to maintain a circular sustainable bioeconomy. Global market value of biowaste to bioenergy (BtB) technology is roughly US $25.32 billion and is projected to enhance to US $40 billion by 2023. Employment of an appropriate pretreatment technology such as fermentation, hydrolysis, gasification etc. is going to elevate the degree of valorization along with surpassing the mobilization barrier. The sustainability assessment of the management process can be achieved with multiple models including technoeconomic analysis, life cycle assessment and multi criteria approach which are dependent on both hard and soft indices. Additionally, the loopholes of the agroforestry sectors would be managed by the introduction of appropriate policies which are undertaken globally by the Orlando and Lugo declarations, food and agriculture organization, Millennium Development Goals, Global Research Alliance and Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. The present review envisaged the agroforestry waste management strategy and its sustainability assessment primarily based upon Social, Economic and Environmental parameters without tormenting the future generations.