: Rainer Zah, Claudia Binder, Stefan Bringezu et al.
: Future Perspectives of 2nd Generation Biofuels
: vdf Hochschulverlag AG
: 9783728133496
: 1
: CHF 0.50
:
: Naturwissenschaft
: English
: 329
: kein Kopierschutz/DRM
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: PDF

Fossil independence and substantial reductions in CO2 emissions seem to be possible with 2nd generation biofuels. New technologies allow a full carbon-to-fuel conversion of non-edible plant parts such as straw or wood, and the cultivation of algae or salt-resistant plants uncouples bioenergy from food production. Nevertheless, impacts on biodiversity, global land and water use are widely unclear and their competitiveness with 1st generation biofuels and electric mobility is an open question. An interdisciplinary team of EMPA, University of Zurich and the Institute of Climate, Environment and Energy in Wuppertal evaluated the most sustainable production techniques and assessed their potential for our future mobility.
7 RECOMMENDATIONS(S. 239-240)

1 Promote in parallel vehicle efficiency and the sustainable use of 1st generation biofuels, 2nd generation biofuels and eMobility!

This study emphasized that different factors alltogether determine the overall potential of 1st and 2nd generation biofuels as well as of electric mobility: (i) the sustainability performance per value chain relative to the fossil reference, (ii) the available energetic potential per value chain and (iii) the conversion efficiency with which the feedstock is transformed into useful energy. The study also revealed that the implementation of electric mobility is an important option for partially replacing fossil based mobility: an additional 5% of the current Swiss electricity consumption could be substituted for approx. 26% of Switzerland’s fossil based mobility.

However, as the sustainability of e-mobility is strongly dependent on the type of electricity (coal, hydro, etc.) used, it is important to insist on a renewable and sustainable form of electricity production. The potential of increased fuel efficiencies in combustion-driven transport is a further central outcome of the study. Increased fuel efficiency not only directly decreases the dependence on fossil fuels per pkm and decreases GHG intensity but also significantly increases the outcome of the available biofuel potential, which indirectly further diminishes our dependence on fossil fuels.

This potential is however challenged by the continuing growth of our mobility demands but also by the increasing fossil burden caused by the transition from conventional to unconventional oil supply. Figure 126 shows as an example that the GHG balance for each of those factors is in the same range or greater than the maximum biofuels potential.

Figure 126 clearly demonstrates that a net benefit can hardly be achieved without increased efficiency, and a maximum benefit would require that all measures are applied in combination. 1st and 2nd generation biofuels and eMobility are complementary in their production and use, while pushing vehicle efficiency and biofuels leads to strong synergies. Consequently, the question for policy makers is not “bio-based, electric or more efficient mobility?” the key issue is about how to promote efficiency and develop the sustainable potential of the different technologies in parallel!

2 Develop a long-term biofuel strategy that gives the stakeholders regulative and legislative stability and therefore triggers new investments in the sector!

Currently, stakeholders are hesitant to invest in the various technology options for producing 2nd generation biofuels.

This is mainly due to an unpredictable and – to a large extent – not existing policy framework for 2nd generation biofuels. This leads to investments in established but out-dated technologies and hinders the penetration of more sustainable and efficient 2nd generation technologies. A long-term biofuel strategy is needed that provides the different stakeholders with a policy framework within which they can make their investment decisions.
Table of Contents4
SUMMARY14
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG16
RESUME18
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY20
Context20
Goal and Scope21
Elements22
Value chains22
Scenarios23
Sustainability Potential Analysis (SPA)23
Feedstocks for 2nd generation biofuels26
2nd generation value chains29
The potential of 2nd generation biofuels for Switzerland33
Challenges and Risks of 2nd generation biofuels35
Recommendations37
1 INTRODUCTION42
2 GOAL AND SCOPE46
2.1 Goal46
2.2 Examined elements48
3 METHODS52
3.1 Conceptual framework52
3.2 Sustainability Potential Analysis (SPA)53
Infrastructure requirements Infrastructure requirements Infrastructure requirements Infrastructure requirements Infrastructure requirements67
3.3 Weighting98
3.4 Uncertainty assessment101
3.5 Scenario analysis103
3.6 Structural Agent Analysis122
4 RESULTS128
4.1 Assessment of Elements128
4.2 Assessment of value chains177
4.3 Assessment of scenarios192
5 SPOTLIGHTS216
5.1 Future availability of cropland for biofuels ( H. Schü tz216
216216
5.2 Land Use Impacts of Jatropha in Brazil A Case Study ( J. Baka and R. Bailis21)219
5.3 Agrofuels and water a growing conflict? ( R. Menkveld)223
5.4 2nd generation biofuels and biodiversity ( R. Zah)227
5.5 Fuels from algae (A. Fahrni227
230227
5.6 Biofuels and developing countries ( S. Gmü nder227
235227
5.7 Agent analysis of biofuels ( A. Schmid227
243227
5.8 Acceptence of 2nd generation biofuels ( L. Diethelm, C. Binder, A. Schmid)262
6 DISCUSSION274
6.1 What are the most relevant feedstocks, technologies and use types?274
6.2 Which will be the relevant value chains?275
6.3 How do 2nd generation biofuels compare to 1st generation and to electric mobility?276
6.4 How big is the potential for 2nd generation biofuels in Switzerland?276
6.5 The role of 2nd generation biofuels in future energy scenarios277
7 RECOMMENDATIONS280
8 REFERENCES288
9 LIST OF FIGURES302
10 LIST OF TABLES308
11 ANNEX312
11.1 Additional information FKVs312
11.2 Scenarios321