[en] Sustainable bioenergy systems are, by definition, embedded in social, economic, and environmental contexts and depend on support of many stakeholders with different perspectives. The resulting complexity constitutes a major barrier to the implementation of bioenergy projects. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the potential of Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) to facilitate the design and implementation of sustainable bioenergy projects. Four MCA tools (Super Decisions, DecideIT, Decision Lab, NAIADE) are reviewed for their suitability to assess sustainability of bioenergy systems with a special focus on multi-stakeholder inclusion. The MCA tools are applied using data from a multi-stakeholder bioenergy case study in Uganda. Although contributing to only a part of a comprehensive decision process, MCA can assist in overcoming implementation barriers by (i) structuring the problem, (ii) assisting in the identification of the least robust and/or most uncertain components in bioenergy systems and (iii) integrating stakeholders into the decision process. Applying the four MCA tools to a Ugandan case study resulted in a large variability in outcomes. However, social criteria were consistently identified by all tools as being decisive in making a bioelectricity project viable

[en] In this article, we analyze social preferences for a partial substitution programme of electricity generated by conventional energy sources, for energy generated from a local renewable energy source, such as forest biomass. This analysis sets arguments in favour of accelerating the introduction of this renewable technology in the Spanish Electricity System. Simultaneously, two methodological goals concerning the contingent valuation method are discussed. In the first one, we analyze if there are statistical differences in the willingness to pay (WTP) when a single- or a double-bounded format is employed to ask the valuation question. Results show that WTP estimates from single- and double-bounded significantly differ. In the second one, we analyze the effect of the periodicity of the payment vehicle on the estimates of welfare change. The timeframe specification of the payment vehicle has been scarcely studied, and this fact constitutes the main contribution of this paper to the specialized literature. Results show that periodicity influences upon the probability to favour the proposed change. The periodicity does not affect to the mean WTP obtained in the single-bounded format, but there are statistical differences in the double-bounded format. These results might be explained by the presence of yea saying and payment scale bias

[en] The effect of policy incentives in the development of short rotation willow plantations for bioenergy is studied by using an aggregate adoption model based on sigmoidal curves for the Swedish municipalities. A total of 56 municipalities were studied, with 891 farmers that planted willow during the period 1986-1996. The model included variables related to the subsidies applied, the taxation on fossil fuels, the development of the wood-fuel consumption by the district heating systems, and the geographical and socio-economic characteristics of the municipality. Results of the simulations using the model show an increment of almost 70% of farmers planting willow during the period studied when the subsidy and tax incentives and the increments of the wood-fuel capacity by the district heating system took place. This study gives tools for future policy implementations in order to achieve the goals of the energy strategies

[en] This paper uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the potential of rice straw power plant implementation in Thailand in terms of GHG emission savings from avoided open burning and from implementing rice straw power production, which can substitute that from natural gas. Annually, 8.5-14.3 Mt rice straw burning contributes 5.0-8.6 MtCO₂-eq which could be converted to 786-1325 MW of power, yielding a total greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of 7.8-13.2 MtCO₂-eq. Moreover, 1090-1837 Mm³ of natural gas could be substituted annually. A total of 25 provinces in central Thailand have potential to generate electricity with a total capacity of 210-292 MW (plant efficiency 20-27%), resulting in an annual GHG emission savings of 2.3-2.6 MtCO₂-eq, and with a provincial capacity of over 20 MW in 6 provinces, 10-20 MW in 7 provinces, 1-10 MW in 6 provinces and less than 1 MW in 6 provinces

[en] This paper has compared two types (Indian and Chinese) of biogas producing facilities designed and built in Birnin-Kebbi, Nigeria. Available local input for the plants are identified and the isolations of the resultant output (products) and their economic viabilities are emphasized. The importance and the uses of the secondary products are highlighted. Ways of maintaining the PH in the digester for optimum gas yield are reported. The difficulties encountered in on the site operation of the two models are stated. On the whole the Chinese model is considered most responsive to the environmental conditions of the study location. (author). 11 refs, 2 figs

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[en] On the basis of indexes for assessment of national markets for alternative energy sources the report points out the dynamics of the general segment index of the market for renewable energy sources including wind index, sun index and index of biomass and other alternative energy sources. On that basis solutions for overcoming the decrease of that segment in the world economy in time of recession have been searched

[en] After a presentation of the AILE association and its composition, activities of the association are reported regarding different domains during different years (2013, 2015, 2016): power and consumption test bench for agriculture engines, methanization, energy crops and experimental programmes, the Brittany wood energy plan, energy and territory, communication and training

[en] Prediction models, based on ultimate analysis of biomass on dry basis (db) which is leveraged to predict chemical exergy, were proposed in this study. A new concept — chemical exergy per equivalent of available electrons transferred to oxygen (reductance degree) of model 1 was established. The result shows that chemical exergy per reductance degree of model 1 is relatively constant for the values of most biomass (db) beyond the±1% relative error range. A modified reductance degree of biomass was presented, whereas oxygen (O) content was neglected due to its inaccurate value and the high p-value for the coefficient of O variable. Chemical exergy per modified reductance degree of models 2 and 3 was approximated to be nearly a constant. Thus, two theoretical prediction models (model 2 and model 3) for the biomass (db) with and without sulfate (920.08(C/3 + H + S/8), 920.72(C/3 + H)) were established, respectively. The coefficients of the two models are of almost the same value, which indicates that the S content has also a negligible effect on chemical exergy. Model 3 (920.72(C/3 + H)) is also herein proposed for prediction of exergy of biomass. The average relative errors of model 1, model 2 and model 3 are 2.882%, 0.643% and 0.634%, respectively. - Highlights: • A new concept — chemical exergy per (modified) reductance degree is established. • Chemical exergy per modified reductance degree is approximately constant. • Estimation model of chemical exergy based on new concept provides higher accuracy. • Chemical exergy of biomass (db) can be easily estimated by simply using C and H.