Comparative analysis of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of supply chains for biofuel and fossil fuel production
© 2011 POMS.
Conference Program:
Online Proceedings: http://www.pomlearning.org/Reno/index.htm
Abstract
To reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil and to reduce carbon emissions, renewable biofuel production from biomass has experienced emerging interest. This study focused on life cycle greenhouse gas emission impacts of forest biomass supply chain for ethanol production designed for the Forest Biomass Statewide Collaboration Center (FBSCC) project in Michigan, U.S. The life cycle stages considered included biomass harvesting, transportation via truck/rail, and onsite storage. The comparison system is a supply chain for petroleum-based fuel production, exemplified using data specific to the U.S. provided by the Department of Energy (DOE). The results show that from feedstock supply perspective, ethanol production from forest biomass is more environmentally friendly (about 50-60% less GHG emissions) compared with petroleum-based fuel production. Forest biomass sup illion kg less carbon emissions) than rail supply, resulting from the small transportation distance (67 miles average one-way).