The Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Power Generation from Lignocellulosic Biomass

• Main Authors: Xinhua Shen, Raghava R. Kommalapati, Ziaul Huque
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-09-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: life cycle assessment; lignocellulosic biomass; power generation; GHG emissions
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/7/10/12974

In order to solve the energy crisis and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), renewable energy resources are exploited for power generation. Because lignocellulosic biomass resources are abundant and renewable, various technologies are applied to using lignocellulosic biomass to derive biofuel and electricity. This paper focuses on power generation from lignocellulosic biomass and comparison of the effects of different feedstocks, transportation, and power generation technologies evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The inputs and boundaries of LCA vary with different feedstocks, such as forestry wood, agricultural residues, and fast-growing grass. For agricultural residues and fast-growing grass, the transportation cost from field to power plant is more critical. Three technologies for power generation are analyzed both with and without pelletization of lignocellulosic biomass. The GHG emissions also vary with different feedstocks and depend on burning technologies at different plant scales. The daily criteria pollutant emissions of power generation from different lignocellulosic biomass were evaluated with a life cycle assessment model of GREET.net 2014. It is concluded that bio-power generation is critical with the urgency of greenhouse effects.