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Bangladesh has encountered several challenges, including issues like overpopulation, energy shortage, and global warming for the last few decades. Addressing the increasing energy demand has become a crucial concern because of rapid increase in population and lack of growth in the economic. The electricity production of a country heavily relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which makes up approximately 54% of the current installed capacity. Bangladesh is an agrarian nation and biomass stands out as a source of renewable energy having significant potential to mitigate the demand for heat and electricity. Biomass resources in the country mainly comprise animal dung, agricultural crop residuals, solid waste from municipalities and forest residues. The existing biomass resources contribute to producing a high amount of energy and content of around 1574.16 PJ of energy equivalent to 437.28 TWh of electricity in which agricultural residues, animal manure, municipal solid waste, and forest residues impart around 852.32 PJ, 399.04 PJ, 112.16 PJ, and 210.64 PJ of energy respectively. This paper explores the extent, possibilities, and technologies associated with biomass energy conversion. Additionally, the study delves into the several biomass projects that the government, as well as non-governmental groups, are working on for environmental sustainability along with plans, challenges, and methods that are being utilized to encourage biomass technologies across Bangladesh. [Display omitted] • The biomass potentiality in Bangladesh for heat and electricity generation is emphasized. • The energy scenario and necessity of alternative energy sources in Bangladesh are discussed. • The available energy conversion technologies from biomass in Bangladesh are presented. • The existing biomass resource content of around 1574.16 PJ (437.28 TWh of electricity) of energy. • The economic aspects and challenges of biomass conversion into energy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a novel lightweight cork with enhanced thermal stability has been prepared using a respiratory impregnation method. In this paper, the thermal stability and decomposition of two kinds of cork CS-P (Quercus suber) and CV-P (Quercus variabilis B1) and corks that infused silica aerogel in cells CSS-P (Quer cus suber) and CSV-P (Quercus variabilis B1) were systematically studied, and their decomposition mechanisms were proposed. The results showed that the decomposition was inhibited at 200 °C, and the pyrolysis was significantly inhibited at the main pyrolysis stage (400 °C). Interestingly, the evolved gaseous products and their evolution models have also changed. Specifically, CO 2 and aldehyde emissions were significantly reduced in the main pyrolysis stage, reducing environmental pollution. Silica aerogel filler plays a catalytic role in the pyrolysis process, thus increasing the output of some value-added products (such as aromatics), which is suitable as the appropriate raw material or source of olefins to produce aliphatic rich pyrolysis biofuels. In general, the yield of biochar and bio-oil can be adjusted under low environmental pollution by loading silica aerogel and adjusting pyrolysis temperature. Corks that infused silica aerogel in cells may be a promising raw material for the production of biochar and biofuel through pyrolysis and contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the cork production industry. [Display omitted] • The pyrolysis thermal behavior of cork cells filled with silica aerogel was explored. • The emission of CO 2 and aldehydes decreased significantly during the main pyrolysis stage. • Silica aerogel filler plays a role in catalyzing the yield of valuable by-products during pyrolysis. • This work provides a novel and effective method to convert and manage biological waste resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine needles are a major cause of forest fires in the western region of the Himalayas in India. There is a need to explore avenues for utilizing this forest bio residue. Pine needles in the form of briquettes are an important source of renewable energy as it has low carbon emissions, low-cost technological interventions, easy accessibility and direct community benefits. The purpose of this paper is to list, classify and rank the enablers supporting energy generation using briquettes made from dried pine needles. This study ranks the enablers by using the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process which is a multi-criteria decision-making approach. This paper finds that technological enablers are key to such interventions using dried and fallen pine needles for energy generation. The second category is environment-related enablers that directly impact the environment, followed by the market-related factors including good demand for the bio briquettes by the industry, viable fuel linkage, and a sense of business approach among the main actors. Economic enablers are next in importance, including factors such as employment generation, additional income, and self-sufficiency making such initiatives attractive enough to be adopted by people. Government and lastly, social and community-related enablers are next in priority for such projects. This is the first research that recognized, classified as well as ranked these enablers to pine needle-based energy generation in Uttarakhand in achieving United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 such as climate action and affordable and clean energy. • To categorize and assess the major enabling factors supporting energy generation using Pine needles. • AHP with Fuzzy logic approach used for prioritization of barriers. • Managerial and practical implications for these enablers. • Technology related enablers are key to pine needle based energy generation. • Low maintenance of machinery has topmost global ranking as enabler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper provides estimates of available agricultural residues at the European level. It complements previous studies by expanding the geographical study area to 36 European countries, and improving the methodology by incorporating temporal variability of the theoretical potential resources and taking into consideration technical and environmental constraints. The amount of residues potentially obtainable from the main crops cultivated in Europe, namely wheat, rye, barley, oats, maize, rice, rapeseed and sunflower was assessed. Detailed spatial distribution maps of different crop residue potentials (theoretical, technical, environmental and sustainable) are provided at 1 km spatial resolution. The average theoretical potential was estimated at 291 and 367 Mt DM in the EU and Europe, respectively. Significant yearly variability of crop residue production has been noticed, between 209 and 365 million tonnes dry yr−1 (3673–6389 PJ) in the EU and between 253 and 483 million tonnes dry yr−1 (4434–8453 PJ) across Europe. The average technical potential of crop residue was estimated at 168 million tonnes dry yr−1 (2941 PJ) in the EU and at 212 million tonnes dry yr−1 (3715 PJ) in Europe. The average sustainable potential considering both technical and environmental constraints in each location was estimated at about 124 million tonnes dry yr−1 (2162 PJ) in the EU and at 14 Mt DM (2601 PJ) in Europe. Highlights • Detailed theoretical, technical, environmental & sustainable spatially explicit potentials are estimated at European level. • Temporal variability of crop residues production is important, with potential impact on their use. • The CENTURY model provides sustainable removal rates, which allow the maintenance of soil organic matter at current levels. • Specific technical and environmental constraints determine the spatial distribution of biomass that could be collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cameroon is a central African country located at the bottom of the Gulf of Guinea. It has huge forest resources and over 70% of active population is employed in agriculture, fishery and livestock. Therefore, a lot of residues are generated from activities and most of them are not used for energy purpose. The goal of this paper is threefold: first, quantifying and assessing the energy potential of these residues; second, investigating the corresponding conversion systems; and third, analyzing the importance of biomass as a source of energy and its potential contribution to sustainable development of the country. Four biomass sources are considered in the study: forest residues, agricultural crop residues, animal manure and Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW). The potential of each source is estimated for the base year 2012. Our estimation shows that animal manure and organic fraction of MSW can produce almost 1 km3 of biogas annually. Also, the total potential of electricity generation from all the sources is estimated to be about 67.5 TWh.y−1, representing approximately twelve times the Cameroon's total electric production of 2010; implying that biomass sources could significantly contribute towards meeting the future energy requirement of the country. Depending on the type and quantity of biomass source, desired final energy, environmental impact and economic conditions, the conversion of biomass into energy can be achieved by thermo-chemical and biological conversion systems that are currently at different stages of research, development, demonstration and commercialization. Highlights • Abundant and untapped biomass resources. • An electricity generation potential representing about twelve times the total electric production of 2010. • Forest residues alone contribute over 90% of the overall energy potential of biomass residues. • Available, mature and proven conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its abundance, wood is the pre-eminent lignocellulosic raw material for a sustainable bioeconomy based society. Wood is widely used as fuel, construction material, and raw material in cellulose and lignocellulose based products. Besides the established uses of wood powder, like co-firing with coal and biofuel production, there are also novel uses and process applications, e.g., advanced wood-plastic composites and biochemical production are emerging for which the pulverization or fine grinding of wood is an essential pre-treatment step. Due to the tenacious nature of the wood matrix, size reduction is an energy intensive process and thermal or chemical pre-treatment may be needed to improve economy. This paper provides a broad overview of the fine grinding of wood. First, wood breakage mechanisms and the mechanisms of size reduction are presented, followed by fine grinding techniques and wood pre-treatment methods. A comparison of the specific energy consumption of wood fine grinding in both a gaseous and liquid environment is illustrated. Additionally, examples are given of the role played by pre-treatment methods in decreasing energy consumption. The particle aspect ratio is discussed briefly. Finally, the use and requirements of wood powders in various applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The consumption of wood pellets grew rapidly during the last decade. In this paper we compare the development of the production factors for wood pellet markets in Finland, Germany, Sweden, Norway and the US; we analyze how domestic market prices for pellet production factors as well as domestic market prices for pellets vary among the countries. The analyses are based on two model plants. The first represents common technologies for small scale pellet production based on dry residues from sawnwood production, while the second represents large scale production based on a blend of dry and wet materials. The results show how differences in costs of feedstock, energy and labor affect the profitability of pellet production and hence the development of pellet production in the analyzed countries. Pellet producers in the US have lower feedstock costs than producers in the analyzed European countries. The economic sustainability for European pellet producers depends to a large extent on their domestic markets as internationally traded pellets are priced lower than their production costs. Future pellet production will, to a greater extent, be based on wet feedstock such as roundwood and wet sawdust. These feedstocks are also demanded by wood-based industries (pulp and paper, particle- and fiber-board) as well as for traditional fuelwood. The transition from smaller pellet plants using dry feedstock to larger plants using wet feedstock in future pellet production, can be expected to follow comparative advantages regarding feedstock and energy costs, but also with respect to economies of scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the quest for a sustainable bio-based economy, biorefineries play a central role as they involve the sustainable processing of biomass into marketable products and energy. This paper aims to provide a perspective on applications of separations that can make a great difference in biorefineries, by significantly reducing the costs and thus making the processes competitive without subsidies. A parallel is drawn between bio-refinery and petro-refinery, to highlight the specific separation challenges encountered in biorefineries and point out the impact of separations on the total costs. Existing and foreseen separations in biorefineries are reviewed, and the upcoming challenges in the bio-domain (additional to current fossil) are identified. Relevant industrial examples are provided to illustrate the tremendous eco-efficiency benefits of well-designed separation processes based on process intensification principles (e.g. reactive separations, dividing-wall column, affinity and trigger-enhanced separations). These examples also illustrate the low sustainability of several bio-separations currently practiced, in terms of high relative energy requirements, large amounts of gypsum co-production and/or excess use of caustic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There are considerable biomass resources in the European Union (EU) and mature conversion technologies to exploit the potentials of bioenergy. The challenge confronting the EU and member states is how to accelerate the implementation of bioenergy systems. This paper contributes to the identification, analysis, and discussion of barriers for bioenergy in the EU. Adopting an innovative methodology involving industry interactions, research workshops, and case studies, this paper identified economic conditions, know-how and institutional capacity, and supply chain co-ordination as the key barriers obstructing the expansion of bioenergy. The case studies expose four points about barriers to bioenergy. First, there are no absolute barriers to realising the potentials of bioenergy in the EU. Second, it is non-technical challenges that are hindering bioenergy rather than technical issues. Third, barriers for bioenergy are dynamic and depend on the context. Fourth, there are consistent strategies and interventions in the case studies to overcome barriers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biogas from waste and residues is a renewable transportation fuel, which can contribute directly to the fulfillment of several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this paper, we address the question of how biogas value chains, and the respective actor networks, emerge at the local level. The purpose of the paper is to empirically assess the development of local biogas transport systems in three Swedish regions, and how policy – including so-called network management – can support this development. The analysis draws on an analytical framework describing how emerging actor networks can be strengthened, and multiple data collection methods (personal interviews, workshop, and secondary sources). The results indicate that four factors explain the success of developing effective local biogas systems: (i) a clear political vision and an adequate basis for decision-making; (ii) a reliance on green public procurement giving priority to biogas vehicles (including follow-up); (iii) integrated actor networks, facilitating knowledge development and sharing of information; and (iv) strategies to deal with an uneven system growth. • Local policy support is necessary to stimulate biogas development. • Actor networks have an important part to increase the effectiveness of the development. • Public procurements procedures and follow-ups are important instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses both quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of government policy and support mechanisms in the UK, Sweden, Denmark and Finland in promoting bioenergy – a key technology fundamental to each country's decarbonisation strategies. It is crucial that countries develop effective policies and support mechanisms to grow sustainable bioenergy sectors. This paper analyses the success of bioenergy policies within each country and evaluates the importance of wider independent variables that collectively characterise the background to energy sector, economic and environmental dynamics. Statistical correlation and regression analyses are applied to identify if the policy landscape has had an identifiable impact on actual bioenergy development. Furthermore, the outputs from a stakeholder workshop and expert interviews are analysed to identify drivers and barriers to bioenergy. The result is a comprehensive analysis of the successes and challenges in bioenergy development, and possible lessons that can be drawn for future promotion of the sector. The research finds that the UK and Nordic countries have had different yet equally successful approaches to promoting bio-power and bio-heat respectively. However, the influence of wider factors within different countries is found to have a potentially greater collective impact on bioenergy than any single policy mechanism. Thus there is credence in learning lessons from what does and does not work in different countries, but countries also need to develop their own brands of policy interventions that suit their country's unique challenges. • Performance of bioenergy policies assessed for the UK, Denmark, Finland & Sweden. • Analyses through statistical tests, stakeholder engagement & expert interviews. • Wider factors can have greater collective impact on bioenergy than policy. • UK's approach to promoting bio-power achieved a successful step change in generation. • Nordic countries' success in bio-heat sector may have limited transferability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Brazilian experience of more than three decades in the development and production of fuel ethanol from sugarcane has been an example of the technical and institutional requirements for the sustainable development of second generation ethanol (lignocellulosic ethanol) production. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate the positive sugarcane conditions for the development of second generation ethanol. In order to do that, different industrial scenarios are considered to discuss technical and economic aspects of present and future sugarcane biorefineries. Furthermore, a carbon balance is performed to assess the added value to the carbon present in different sugarcane biorefinery products. The current Brazilian sugarcane production, which is processed in more than 400 mills, is around 600 Tg y−1, occupying an area of 78,000 km2. It can supply 84 Tg of bagasse at no cost and about 42 Tg of trash, which can be processed as a lignocellulosic material for ethanol production or other higher added value products in a biorefinery – as carbon balance results showed that a biorefinery is able to add value to the carbon presented in the sugarcane – using second generation technologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents an empirical study on the use of woody biomass for energy supply in Germany and the federal state of Brandenburg. It aims to explain the role forestry enterprises have for bioenergy provision in this area. The ‘Institutions of Sustainability’ framework is used as an analytical tool to investigate the role of private and public actors in these transactions, respectively, in the governance structures they are subject to. Empirical evidence was gathered by in-depth interviews with actors from forestry and bioenergy practice. Triggered by favorable governance structures, i.e. strong support by national and regional policies, rising prices for fossil energy sources, and co-operation of committed individuals and groups, a new bioenergy industry has been successfully established. However, the forestry sector has so far been just a marginal fuel supplier for this industry. The study identifies pitfalls impeding a broad implementation of wood-energy supply in forestry: not cost-covering prices offered by the bioenergy sector, lacking market transparency and security of supply, lacking mobilization of forest wood, and a preference among forest managers to sell products to the wood-processing industry. In terms of the Institutions of Sustainability the properties of transactions (asset specificities, uncertainties, separability), characteristics of actors (values, rationality) and governance structures (long-term contractual obligations elsewhere) are decisive in explaining the current form of transaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the key factors on which the sustainable development of modern society should be based is the possibility to take advantage of renewable energies. Biomass resources are one of the most common and widespread resources in the world. Their use to produce energy has many advantages, such as the reduction of greenhouse emissions. This paper describes a GIS-based Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to define planning and management strategies for the optimal logistics for energy production from woody biomass, such as forest biomass, agricultural scraps and industrial and urban untreated wood residues. The EDSS is characterized by three main levels: the GIS, the database, and the optimization. The optimization module is divided in three sub-modules to face different kinds of decision problems: strategic planning, tactical planning, and operational management. The aim of this article is to describe the strategic planning level in detail. The decision variables are represented by plant capacity and harvested biomass in a specific forest parcel for each slope class, while the objective function is the sum of the costs related to plant installation and maintenance, biomass transportation and collection, minus the benefits coming from the energy sales at the current market price, including the renewable energy certificates. Moreover, the optimization problem is structured through a set of parameters and equations that are able to encompass different energy conversion technologies (pyrolysis, gasification or combustion) in the system. A case study on the Liguria Region (Savona Province) is presented and results are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper explores the potential of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol to promote modern bioenergy options in developing countries. The starting point is that developing countries need to be given a major role in the implementation of the Convention on Climate Change because of their increasing energy demands and the pressing need to mitigate climate change. The role of CDM is discussed in the context of sustainable development, formation of carbon markets, and promotion of bioenergy options. Besides contributing to mitigate climate change, CDM can be used to demonstrate and disseminate new technologies, reduce investment risks and enhance the cost-efficiency of projects, while also creating jobs and improving environmental conditions. In this context, bioenergy projects are attractive and CDM provides a complementary bridge for international cooperation towards sustainable development. However, since CDM is project-based, a broader policy framework is needed to integrate such projects in regional and global bioenergy systems solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Improving access to modern energy in rural areas through the electrification of rural growth centres (RGCs) mainly by grid extension remains a challenge in Zambia. During the last 15 years, electrification rates have marginally increased from 3 to 11% for rural areas. This does not only represent the status quo of access to modern energy in these areas but also shows the unlikelihood of attaining the 2030 rural electrification target of 51%. Biomass-based systems offer viable alternatives/complements of supplying modern energy. Sustainable development of these technologies begins with identifying viable bioenergy systems from a wide range of options. Accordingly, this paper focused on a first-level techno-economic assessment of different bioenergy options that employed lignocellulosic residues as feedstock to provide heating/cooking and electricity-enabled energy services in non-electrified RGCs of Zambia. The results indicate that fuels to provide cooking/heating energy services could be supplied by pellets and briquettes in an economically viable manner. Gasification and combustion technologies were more financially attractive compared to diesel generators for electricity production. Therefore, they are viable alternatives for providing electricity, an important enabler for the much-needed rural development in the country. However, at the moment they cannot provide electricity at costs competitive with grid-electricity, partly due to subsidized electricity tariffs in Zambia. It is recommended that a decision support system framework for biomass exploitation using such technologies should be established. Such a framework should guide policy makers to identify optimal means of using biomass to provide modern energy services in the RGCs of the country. Image 1 • Briquettes/pellets offer viable household fuel alternatives to traditional biomass. • Production of briquettes/pellets in 4 kgh−1 densification plants is not profitable. • Bioelectricity price is not cost-competitive with the current electricity tariffs. • Bioelectricity production is more techno-economically viable than diesel generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furfural and levulinic acid are valuable platform compounds that can be produced by acid catalyzed conversion of sugars. Modified MCM-41 with different contents of silicotungstic acid (20 wt%-50 wt%) was successfully prepared via a wet impregnation method in order to regulate the ratio of Brønsted acid to Lewis acid. Among these catalysts, 40 wt% HSiW/MCM-41 with superior acid site density (Brønsted acid 59.35 μmol/g, Lewis acid 33.69 μmol/g) showed excellent catalytic activity as it exposed the most acidic sites and the ratio of Brønsted acid to Lewis acid reached 1.76. The conversion of biomass-based sugar was as high as 99.01 %, the maximum yield of furfural could reach 56.75 %, and the yield of levulinic acid could reach 18.88 % catalyzed by 40 wt% HSiW/MCM-41. This study provided new insights into the development of efficient and sustainable catalytic systems for the production of biomass-derived compounds. [Display omitted] • The acidic sites in MCM-41 were regulated by loading silicotungstic acid. • The maximum yield of furfural and LA was reach 56.75 % and 18.88 % over 40 wt% HSiW/MCM-41. • The high catalytic activity of 40 wt% HSiW/MCM-41 was due to the highest ratio of Brønsted and Lewis acidic site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]