Investigating the environmental implications of biogas production pathways using life cycle impact assessment model to support regional energy transitions

Abstract

<p>The regional energy transition requires a growing share of alternative technologies powered by biomass sources,<br />for which not all their environmental impacts have been fully understood yet. The UN and the sustainable<br />development goal (SDG’s) seven encourage a cleaner, safer and modern energy production for all to uphold<br />environmental and climatic protection. This case study aims to apply the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling<br />tool such as the openLCA in assessing wholly (from up to downstream) the environmental, socio-economic and<br />engineering perspectives of energy transitions.<br />The Purpose is to analyze the environmental impacts of maize silage production for biogas production in support<br />of clean and affordable energy. This means, analyzing the supply chain activities from upstream to the downstream<br />to obtain the impacts on ecosystem and its services. The objectives of this research are to (a) explore different<br />bioenergy emission and climate change related problems while finding the tradeoffs across various impacts when<br />maize silage is used as feedstock. (b) To discover current natural gas production technology pathways in Alberta,<br />the oil exploration province of Canada and compare them with biogas production impacts</p> <p>The Method applied is the Eco-indicator 99, E, E method, used in analyzing life cycle impact assessment worst-<br />case scenario of products or services, while comparing the effects with the TRACI & ReCipe methods across board. It provides robust quantitative estimates of GHG emissions, eutrophication, climate impacts, health and land-use impacts of maize silage production for biogas on a regional scale.<br />From the study’s scientific findings, relevant information on the interconnectedness of bioenergy environmental<br />impact is generated, which are also useful/applicable for Canada and globally. The result found that the use of high<br />nitrogen fertilizer (above 120 kg/h) contributes to high eutrophication potentials and drying of the maize silage<br />has high climate change potentials which proves that biogas production from maize silage is not completely clean<br />but can be improved<br />In conclusion. It concludes that biogas systems can decarbonize regional fossil energy grids, drying of the silage<br />be carried out in summer with biogas and natural gas mix, and supports the moderate use of farm chemicals to<br />create a balance between bioenergy development and environmental prosperity. the project is significant because<br />it comprehensively states the need for reduction of excessive emission of greenhouse<br />gases, land conversion, and nutrient delivery through biogas production and other energy transition activities that<br />have the potential to increase global warming, damage water and land resources in Alberta which is scarcely available.</p> <p>KEYWORDS: Energy transition, Environmental impacts, Life cycle impact assessment, Openlca Eco indicator<br />99, biogas production, Sustainable Environmental.</p>