Biomass and bioenergy potentials of bioresidues: assessment methodology development and application to the region of Lafões

Abstract

AbstractBioenergy research aims to uncover the potentials of biological residues. Regional-specific characterization of such potentials is needed to improve the use of local resources, decisions on bioenergy conversion routes, and services within global efforts against climate change. The definition and calculation of the theoretical and technical biomass and bioenergy potentials are keys for developing sustainable use pathways at a regional level. The present work develops a methodology where theoretical framework, quantification methods, and values for the necessary parameters, to assess regional biomass and bioenergy potentials, are considered. The region of Lafões (Portugal) is the case study to illustrate the application of the methods, resulting in three bioresidue categories (agricultural by-products, forestry residues, and municipal waste) and two bioenergy conversion routes (biochemical and thermochemical). The biochemical conversion route revealed a technical energy potential of 765 TJ yr−1, comparing favourably with the 543 TJ yr−1 achieved by the thermochemical route. Also, the environmental and economic performances, associated with the implementation of bioenergy technologies, are possibly better achieved through the biochemical route, to be assessed through life cycle analyses and life cycle costing. Regardless of action priorities, the two conversion routes combined can potentially cover the entire current electrical energy demand of the region. This should also be appraised with expectations in mind for both flexible bioenergy services (with other renewables) and for bioenergy usage in applications which are difficult to defossilize.