Search

Abstract: “Green biorefinery” (GBR) could be an alternative option for using grassland biomass. GBR involves applying technology to chemically and physically fractionate (split) biomass such as grass and grass silage into marketable products. From the grass fibre fraction insulation materials can be produced. From the grass juice fraction, proteinaceous products for animal feed and lactic acid (LA) for plastic production (polylactic acid – PLA) can be produced. This paper is the first part in the analysis to develop a blueprint for a first generation Irish GBR system. The focus of this paper is on the technical aspects of developing three GBR system models and subsequent scenario analyses. The three GBR system models were a combination of feedstock system and biorefinery technology; Grass/silage–basic technology (GS), Silage–basic technology (S) and Silage–High Tech (AT). The models, which were integrated mass and energy balances, were then assessed at the three different input volumes, to generate nine scenarios. The scenarios which required further economic analysis in a companion paper to determine their overall feasibility (technical and economic) in the development of blueprint for a first generation Irish GBR system were identified. From the technical analysis outlined in this paper six scenarios were identified which require further economic analysis. These were scenarios generated for the GS, S and AT GBR systems, at two input volume rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sustainability assessments of bioenergy production are essential because it can have both positive and negative impacts on society. Human preferences that influence trade-off decisions on the relevant determinants and indicators of sustainability should be taken into account in these assessments. In this paper, we conducted a survey with five groups of respondents including government officials and employees, academic and research professionals, private company managers and workers, farm owners and workers, and others (e.g. students, residents, etc.) to assess their trade-off decisions on bioenergy development in the Philippines. The analyses of the survey results reveal that sustainability of bioenergy production will depend on the choice of biomass feedstock and these choices depend on people's perceptions. Heterogeneous perceptions among the different groups of respondents on the appropriate bioenergy feedstock to achieve economic, social and ecological sustainability suggest that sustainability of bioenergy is not a generic concept. The use of aggregate indices for sustainability assessments that ignore these perceptions on bioenergy production can thus be very misleading. The preference weights from conjoint analysis, which measure human preferences on different determinants and indicators of economic, social and ecological sustainability, can help improve sustainability assessments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Renewable energy sources (RES) are being increasingly considered as key elements in future development strategies on a national, regional and local level. This paper discusses the methodological approach to local energy planning proposed by the authors and identifies the most important drivers for its application at the regional level. This approach is different to the previous ‘top-down’ or strategic assessments as seen many times in the past in Croatia and is expected to herald a new future for the local community ownership and ‘buy-in’ to renewable energy, resulting in the greater probability of individual project success where local stakeholder sympathy is retained. The implementation of the developed approach is demonstrated on Karlovac County (western Croatia), which has considerable potential for the utilisation of different RES. The main outcomes are described: approved Regional strategy for utilisation of renewable energy sources in the Karlovac County; number of individual projects identified, supported and launched; and a Regional energy agency created as the implementing body for future renewable energy projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]