A comparison of the environmental benefits of bagasse-derived electricity and fuel ethanol on a life-cycle basis

摘要: Abstract The energetic utilisation of agricultural residues is considered to be an important element in any strategy achieve renewable energy targets. In the approximately 80 cane-sugar producing countries there potential make better use fibrous residue known as bagasse. Subject improved efficiency, sugar producers could supply either “green”, co-generated electricity, or fuel ethanol through cellulose hydrolysis followed by fermentation. This paper compares their projected environmental benefits from a life-cycle perspective, using South African data. Mass and analyses were prepared for two systems base case (producing with current methods), relative annual sugarcane production on one hectare. both cases, burdens avoided replacing equivalent amount fossil included. results obtained confirm that all impact categories considered, “bioenergy” products result benefits. co-generation option lower energy-related emissions (i.e. global warming, acidification eutrophication potentials), whereas preferred terms resource conservation (since it assumed replace oil not coal), also scores human eco-toxicity if lead-bearing oxygenates.