CARBON FOOTPRINT OF MISCANTHUS BIOMASS
Keywords:
CO2, Electricity, Miscanthus, Renewable Energy Sources, Climate change, SerbiaAbstract
In this paper an overview of CO2 emissions from the use of biomass of fast-growing plant miscanthus are given. The aim was to analyze and calculate a carbon footprint of all operations in the life cycle of miscathus like: preparation for rhizomes planting (application of herbicides, plowing and harrowing on unused agricultural land), planting, fertilization of young plants, irrigation, mowing of plants, baling, transport to the nearest briquetting machine where briquettes are produced or to the nearest pyrolytic plant where pyrolytic diesel is produced. Emissions of CO2 are taken from previously performed analysis and re-calculated for 1t of miscanthus biomass. The results showed the dominant impact of the briquetting operation due to high electricity consumption (70 kWh) which is in Serbia produced mostly from non-renewable energy sources (about 72%, from coal and natural gas). In accordance with the complete abandonment of coal for energy production which became one of the main goals in the fight against climate change, a future scenario has been created. This scenario involved the production of electricity using only renewable energy sources (hydropower plants with the share of 22%, wind turbines with the share of 28%, solar panels with the share of 25% and heat pumps with the share of 25%). The results show drastic reductions of CO2 emissions, up to 4,000 times in a case when renewable energy sources are used for electricity production compared to the current electricity mix used in Serbia. Nevertheless, despite high emissions of CO2 from using electricity from non-renewable sources, it is concluded that miscantus is a more environmentally friendly solution for energy production than lignite briquettes and firewood that are normally used for the heating of households and that all measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gases emissions should be implemented to avoid catastrophic consequences on the climate and human health in Serbia.
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