Limits to the potential of bio-fuels and bio-sequestration of carbon |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Graeme Pearman Consulting Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia;2. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia;1. Torre de Ingeniería, Piso 1, Ala Sur, Cubículo 3, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad No 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, México D.F, Mexico;2. National Institute of Electricity and Clean Energies, Av. Reforma No. 113, Col Palmira, Cuernavaca, Mor. C.P., 62490, Mexico;1. University of Campinas, School of Agriculture Engineering, Candido Rondon avenue 501, Campinas, SP, 13083-875, Brazil;2. Utrecht University, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands;3. University of Campinas, Interdisciplinary Center of Energy Planning, Cora Coralina street 330, Campinas, SP, 13083-896, Brazil;4. University of Campinas, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Mendeleyev street 200, Campinas, SP, 13083-860, Brazil;1. Physics Department, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia;2. Nuclear Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia;3. Nuclear Engineering Programme, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, 81310, Johor, Malaysia;1. Department of Mathematical Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;2. School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, P.O. Box 175005, Kamand, Mandi, India;1. Department of Plant Ecology, Universitätsstraße 30, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany;2. Department of Ecological Services, University of Bayreuth, ZAPF Buildung 4, Nürnberger Str. 38, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany;3. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, OR State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States;4. Department of Soil Physics, Universitätsstraße 30, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany |
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| Abstract: | This document examines bio-physical limits of bio-fuels and bio-sequestration of carbon by examining available solar radiation and observed efficiencies with which natural ecosystems and agricultural systems convert that energy to biomass. It compares these energy/carbon exchanges with national levels of energy use and carbon emissions for Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.Globally primary energy consumption (related carbon emissions) is currently equivalent to ~0.06% of the incident solar energy, and 43% of the energy (carbon) captured by photosynthesis.The nations fall into three categories. Those with primary energy consumption that is: 1–10% (Japan, Korea and Singapore); ~0.1% (China, UK and the US) and; 0.1–0.01% (Australia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Sweden) of incident solar radiation. The percentage of energy captured in biomass follows this pattern, but generally lower by ~3 orders of magnitude.The energy content of traded wheat, corn and rice represents conversion efficiencies of solar radiation of 0.08–0.17% and for sugar close to 1%, ignoring energy use in production and conversion of biomass to fuels.The study implies that bio-fuels or bio-sequestration can only be a small part of an inclusive portfolio of actions towards a low carbon future and minimised net emissions of carbon to the atmosphere. |
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| Keywords: | Bio-fuels Carbon bio-sequestration Net primary production |
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