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This study develops a novel mathematical modelling framework for biomass combined heat and power systems (CHP) that links biomass and process characteristics to sustainability assessment of the life cycle. A total of twenty-nine indicators for the process (four-indicators), economic (five-indicators), environmental (eight-indicators) and social global (five-indicators) and local (seven-indicators) aspects have been analysed for sustainability. These are technological: biomass throughput, electricity and steam generations and CHP efficiency; economic: internal rate of return, capital, operating and feedstock costs and cost of production; environmental: global warming, fossil, land and water use, acidification, urban smog, eutrophication and ecotoxicity potentials; social (global): labour rights and decent work, health & safety, human rights, governance and community infrastructure; social (local): total forest land, direct/indirect jobs, gender equality and energy-water-sanitation access for communities, from biomass characteristics (carbon and hydrogen contents), energy demands and economic parameters. This paper applies the developed methodology to a case study in Mexico. From 12.47 kt/year forestry residue, 1 MWe is generated with an associated low-pressure steam generation of 50 kt/year, at the cost of production of $0.023/kWh. This makes the energy provision "affordable and clean" for marginalised/poor communities (the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDG7). Bioenergy can curb > 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy use, 6 kt CO2 eq and 74 TJ annually. Bioenergy reduces other environmental impacts considerably, water consumption, acidification and eutrophication by 87–53%, and urban smog and ecotoxicity by 29–18%. Bioenergy can improve all five social themes in the Central American cluster countries. In addition to the SDG7, the forestry-based bioenergy system can also achieve the SDG6: "clean water and sanitation for all". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents new data on the life cycle impact assessment of various lignocellulosic biomass types in Mexico. A comparative life cycle assessment model of biomass densification systems was conducted. An integrated approach that incorporated various process variables, such as technology and variations in feed properties, within the analysis was employed to evaluate the environmental impact of producing 1 MJ of energy-containing densified fuel. The results show that the densification unit and curing (fuel drying) have the highest impact on the life cycle's operational energy and the total life cycle energy, respectively. Of all the 33 biomass types from the 17 species sources considered in this study, sweet sorghum and sandbur grass have the highest global warming potential, 0.26 and 0.24 (kg CO2-eq), and human toxicity 0.58 and 0.53 (kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene-eq), respectively, while coffee pulp and cooperi pine wood have the least impact in both categories, with values of 0.08 and 0.09 (kg CO2-eq), and 0.17 and 0.16 (kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene-eq), respectively. Chichicaxtla sawmill slabs also have a low environmental impact, and cooperi pine and Ceiba wood have the lowest ozone depletion and ecotoxicity potential. A sensitivity analysis indicated the effects of the transportation system and energy source on the life cycle's environmental impact. Adequate feed preparation, the blending of multiple feeds in the optimum ratio, and the careful selection of densification technology could improve the environmental performance of densifying some of the low-bulk-density feed biomass types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass residues from agricultural crop and timber production may be a feasible option for energy production due to their social and environmental benefits. This paper presents an assessment of the annual biomass variation of crop and forestry residues, their availability and potential for energy production purposes. The monthly variation in the availability of primary crop residues is also evaluated. This study further shows the spatial distribution of residues and identifies the areas, where larger amounts are available by techniques of geographic information system. It is estimated that 87.94 megatons of dry matter per year (MtDM/yr) of residues are generated from agriculture crops, of which 37.54 MtDM/yr could be available for the production of energy and/or biofuels. Primary and secondary available crop residues contribute to 30.53 Mt DM/yr and 7.01 Mt DM/yr, respectively. Overall, 95.8% of the total available residues come mainly from maize (43.3%), sorghum (25.5%) and sugarcane (18.1%), followed by wheat (6.3%), barley (1.6%) and beans (1.0%). Total energy potential is estimated at 670.3 PJ/yr, of which 542.5 PJ/yr from primary residues and 127.8 PJ/yr from secondary residues. Forestry residues account for about 1.42 Mt DM/yr with an energy potential of 30.72 PJ/yr. Most of the available crop residues are located in 10 municipalities and the forest residues in another 10 different municipalities. Seasonality of agriculture residues indicates that the large availability of residues is mainly found in January, May, June, November, and December. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel comprehensive approach to developing a transformative bioeconomy policy. It leverages novel insights from global commercial biorefineries, Mexico's existing legislation framework, and expert workshops to illustrate the practical implementation of bioeconomy in Mexico. Mexico, with its abundance of bio-based resources including various waste materials, holds significant potential for a sustainable circular bioeconomy. However, the current regulatory landscape, primarily focused on agroecology and bioenergy, lacks a comprehensive sustainable development strategy with integrated biorefineries for a bioeconomy. To address this gap, the study examines the most effective biorefinery systems, incorporating high-value productions with bioenergy cogeneration and learning from leading international biorefineries. These global counterparts have successfully diversified their biomass sources and fostered inclusive growth by engaging local farming communities. The analysis reveals that the predominant products of biorefineries include chemicals such as building blocks, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals, followed by materials like polymers and fibers, all contributing significantly to the global bio-based market. The study emphasizes the importance of product selectivity, quality, and scalability in introducing innovative, high-value products. Through a specialized workshop, the study underscores the importance of bio-based products in enhancing local livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and education. It advocates for policy reforms to attract investments, transform existing energy systems into biorefineries, and reduce air pollution. Conclusively, the proposed bioeconomy policy is a significant step towards aligning Mexico with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, representing a critical advancement in bioeconomy policy development. [Display omitted] • Robust framework to support policies for developing the bioenergy and bioeconomy. • Policy recommendations converging national development plans and energy laws. • Policy must combine biorefining of non-food biomass with integrated land management. • High-value products and self-produced bioenergy are key in sustainable bioeconomy. • Bioeconomy policy enables sustainable development goals in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]