Options
Sustainability aspects of biokerosene
Publikationstyp
Book Part
Date Issued
2017-08-09
Sprache
English
Author(s)
TORE-URI
Start Page
325
End Page
373
Citation
Biokerosene: Status and Prospects (Springer-Verlag): 325-373 (2017-08-09)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
The introduction of biokerosene as an alternative to conventional fossil kerosene is driven by the intention to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to reduce dependency on fossil energy carriers and by the potential to create economic benefits especially in rural areas. In this paper, sustainability aspects of biokerosene are discussed for a wide range of feedstocks and conversion pathways with regards to environmental and socio-economic consequences. From an environmental perspective, results show that the use of biokerosene can reduce GHG emissions compared to the use of conventional jet fuel. However, this is strongly dependent on direct and indirect land-use change effects, which could even lead to a considerable increase in emissions. Emission benefits might be alleviated to some extent by non-CO2 emissions from combustion. The cultivation of feedstock affects soil and water quality by soil carbon loss, soil erosion and leaching of nutrients and agrochemicals etc. Appropriate management practices can reduce negative consequences. Impacts are furthermore dependent on land-use history and crop type: certain crops, for example, can improve soil quality. The assessment of land requirements shows that algae, switchgrass, miscanthus, sugarcane and oil palm yield the highest quantity of fuels per hectare. Scientific literature reports predominantly negative impacts of biofuels on biodiversity. These negative consequences can be alleviated by the use of wastes and lignocellulosic residues. Regarding socio-economic aspects, the assessment shows that none of the assessed fuel pathways is financially competitive with conventional kerosene, even assuming a mature provision technology. The provision of valuable co-products or the taxation of fossil fuels present ways to facilitate the introduction of biokerosene.