An Approach to Identify the Suitable Plant Location for Miscanthus-Based Ethanol Industry: A Case Study in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Abstract:The life cycle (LC) of ethanol extracted from Miscanthus has been evaluated to identify the potential location for the Miscanthus-based ethanol industry in Ontario, Canada to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and minimize the production cost of ethanol. Four scenarios are established considering the land classes, land use, and cropping patterns in Ontario, Canada. The net energy consumption, emissions, and cost of ethanol are observed to be dependent on the processing plant location and scenarios. The net energy consumption, emissions, and cost vary from 12.9 MJ/L to 13.4 MJ/L, 0.79 $/L to 0.84 $/L, and 0.45 kg-CO2e/L to 1.32 kg-CO2e/L, respectively, which are reliant on the scenarios. Eastern Ontario has emerged as the best option. This study reveals that Miscanthus is a potential feedstock for the ethanol industries in Ontario, even if it is cultivated on marginal land. This study also highlights the contribution of energy crops (Miscanthus) to avoid the potential technical and economic constraints of lignocellulosic biomass for the renewable energy industry. Miscanthus may help avoid competition with food crops for prime land (higher quality land that is suitable for food crops), avoid the food versus fuel debate, help meet the ethanol demand, and achieve the GHG emissions abatement target of Canada.

Harvest systems of Miscanthus x giganteus biomass: A Review

“…In the last decade Miscanthus x giganteus, due to its properties, such as potential biomass yields and energy effiency, has been considered as one of the most valuable viable energy crops. (Roy et al, 2015;Sopegno et al, 2016;Xue et al, 2017).…”

Large‐scale commercial production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues: A case study of wheat straw in the Canadian Prairies

“…However, process parameters are different; one cannot at this stage make definitive conclusions regarding which crop residue types generate the least emissions with respect to their conversion to bioethanol. In fact, a detailed life cycle assessment, which is beyond the scope of this study, would provide additional information related to the environmental performance of the conversion of wheat straw into cellulosic ethanol in the Canadian Prairies, similar to informative studies by Roy et al . which assessed the life cycle of ethanol production based both on biochemical and thermochemical conversion pathways.…”

Biomass Production of Three Biofuel Energy Plants’ Use of a New Carbon Resource by Carbonic Anhydrase in Simulated Karst Soils: Mechanism and Capacity

“…Room temperature ranged from 279.1 K to 305.9 K, relative humidity from 63.7% to 75.2%, and the average values were 290.9 K and 71.1%. Based on literature values for karst soils in drought conditions [4], four drought treatments were applied: well-watered (control, 20% moisture), mild drought stress (D 1 , 17% moisture), moderate drought stress (D 2 , 14% moisture), and severe drought stress (D 3 , 11% moisture). Therefore, the 64 pots were classified into 4 treatments.…”

“…Due to limited land availability for cultivation, few countries can grow plants for biofuel without other considerations. Although marginal lands are not suited for agricultural production due to poor soil quality, harsh climates, rough terrain, and high levels of pollution, these lands are recommended for the production of biomass feedstock, which has garnered widespread attention [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. As an important marginal land resource, karst landscapes occupy approximately 11.2% of the surface of the earth.…”