Over 640 million people in Africa are expected to rely on solid-fuels for cooking by 2040. In Western Kenya, cooking inefficiently persists as a major cause of burden of disease due to household air pollution. Efficient biomass cooking is a local-based renewable energy solution to address this issue. The Life-Cycle Assessment tool Simapro 8.5 is applied for analyzing the environmental impact of four biomass cooking strategies for the Kisumu County, with analysis based on a previous energy modelling study, and literature and background data from the Ecoinvent and Agrifootprint databases applied to the region. A Business-As-Usual scenario (BAU) considers the trends in energy use until 2035. Transition scenarios to Improved Cookstoves (ICS), Pellet-fired Gasifier Stoves (PGS) and Biogas Stoves (BGS) consider the transition to wood-logs, biomass pellets and biogas, respectively. An Integrated (INT) scenario evaluates a mix of the ICS, PGS and BGS. In the BGS, the available biomass waste is sufficient to be upcycled and fulfill cooking demands by 2035. This scenario has the lowest impact on all impact categories analyzed followed by the PGS and INT. Further work should address a detailed socio-economic analysis of the analyzed scenarios. © 2020 by the authors.
Tag: bioenergy
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Many countries have recently adopted bioenergy as part of a critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. Because of increased efficiency and lower production costs, along with legislative support and investment incentives, bioenergy use is swiftly becoming a renewable energy substitute for fossil fuels. The study provides a better understanding of bioenergy issues, potential and sustainability to inform countries in the global South and provide guidance on integrating bioenergy into their national energy plans by proposing a simplified sustainability framework for wood-based bioenergy.
Arguments are reviewed against biomass energy expansion, mainly developed in the context of the global north. The benefits of biomass energy expansion are also reviewed with a focus on conditions common to the global south. A sustainability framework is presented to illustrate better use of low-value land resources, produce bioenergy, restore ecosystem services, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The study recommends guidance to establish sustainable, wood-based bioenergy supply in developing countries in the global South, which help ensure that biomass supply chains adhere to the principles and criteria of bioenergy sustainability.
Bamboo: Potential for bioenergy and landscape restoration in Indonesia
The growing demand for energy in Indonesia is driven by population growth, urbanization and economic development. Meeting this energy demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels is vital. As Indonesia has a rich biomass base, bioenergy has become an important component of the nation’s energy agenda. However, a crucial problem with bioenergy production is its potential impacts on food security, the environment and biodiversity. In this context, we discuss the characteristics, benefits and challenges of using bamboo, a perennial grass, as a potential provider of bioenergy feedstock in Indonesia. We describe the fuel characteristics of bamboo and the possibility of aligning its cultivation, production and utilization with environmental and development agendas. Its rapid growth, long root systems, easy maintenance and ability to grow in harsh conditions indicate its potential for use in restoring degraded lands. Therefore, we recommend in-depth research on the social, ecological and economic feasibility of using bamboo for bioenergy production.
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Comparison of soil microfauna diversity between a burnt and unburnt peatland in Indonesia
Approximately 95 percent of peatlands in Indonesia have been degraded by forest fires or converted for cultivation. Forest fires release huge volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and have caused severe damage to Indonesia’s ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Even though understanding post-fire environmental dynamics and biodiversity changes would be highly beneficial in determining restoration processes, baseline analyses on biodiversity and soil moisture content in burnt and degraded peatlands remain limited. Consequently, this research explores and assesses soil macrofauna diversity and properties, and changes in soil fauna patterns in a burnt peatland area currently undergoing restoration with the establishment of a bioenergy plantation in Buntoi village, Central Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Results from the study site show peatland fires causing hugely reduced numbers of soil mesofauna and macrofauna individuals, and bioenergy tree survival rates being higher in plots on unburnt than burnt peatland. Fauna species diversity, gauged using the Shannon diversity index (H), was lower in burnt than unburnt areas, though some orders – such as Hymenoptera – appear to adapt well to burned areas as we found them in both burnt and unburnt plots. Results show a significant correlation between peat fires and biodiversity. We also found that the more seriously fire damaged bioenergy trees were, the higher the likelihood of biodiversity decreasing. Generally, soil moisture and nutrient availability are key factors supporting higher soil invertebrate diversity in unburnt areas. However, results showed no significant correlation between soil moisture content and soil fauna diversity in our research site. In conclusion, understanding the severe impacts of fire on peatlands will make people more aware and less likely to use fire for clearing and preparing peatlands, thereby prolonging their use.
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Suitability of bioenergy tree species on degraded peatlands in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Vast areas of degraded peatlands in Kalimantan need a sustainable longterm restoration mechanism, ideally one that can address energy security without compromising food production or biodiversity conversation. This research assesses the survivability and growth performance of potential bioenergy crops: gamal (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.), kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner), kemiri sunan (Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw) and nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.), that could be cultivated to produce bioenergy and restore degraded peatlands. Parameters observed were tree height and stem diameter growth as well as plant survival rates. Trials was conducted on a two-hectare demonstration plot on burned degraded peatland in Buntoi village, Pulang Pisau district, Central Kalimantan province. Using a split plot design, two treatments were applied to each species, i.e., agroforestry (intercropped with Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) and monoculture plantation. For each species, these treatments were replicated in two separate subplots. Results indicate nyamplung being the most adaptable species, followed by kemiri sunan, and both species performing better under agroforestry than monoculture treatments. Further study is needed to assess productivity and associated biofuel yields.
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