The Role of Life Cycle Assessment in Exploring Sustainable Power Generation from Biodiesel: A Case Study of the Moghan Region

Authors

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

This study has been conducted on the vital role of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a comprehensive method to evaluate the sustainability of biodiesel power generation, with a case focus on the Moghan region. Life cycle assessment covers all stages of biodiesel's life cycle, including production, distribution, and use, and provides a complete view of its environmental impacts. This study uses methods such as cradle-to-grave analysis, carbon footprint calculation, and various impact assessments to measure ecological outcomes. This article examines the distinctive features of the Moghan region's local agricultural practices, biodiesel production methods from rapeseed as the dominant oil crop in the region, and energy consumption trends. The results show that the use of fuel, plastic, and gas in rapeseed cultivation has the most intermediate effects (about 5-25% higher than other inputs) in the Moghan region. In addition, electricity consumption significantly (about 200-300% more than other inputs) affects the intermediate effects during the rapeseed oil extraction process in the Moghan region. Evaluations show that inputs of water (on average about 300, 350, 250, and 400% more than oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and methanol) and electricity (on average about 150, 170, 120, and 200% more than oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and methanol) can contribute the most to the environmental impacts in the biodiesel production stage from rapeseed oil in the biodiesel region. In addition, this study identifies that the biodiesel fuel itself has the greatest effect on the intermediate indicators of electricity production from canola-derived biodiesel.
Introduction
As the world confronts the pressing need to shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources, biodiesel has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels in transportation. Sourced from feedstocks like vegetable oils, animal by-products, and recycled cooking oil, biodiesel has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and foster a sustainable energy future. However, to thoroughly understand and assess the environmental and sustainability implications of biodiesel as a power generation source, a comprehensive life cycle assessment is essential. To maximize the sustainability of biodiesel, it is crucial to promote ongoing research and development, enforce stringent environmental standards, and encourage the use of advanced raw materials and production technologies. Additionally, policies that support the production and sustainable utilization of biodiesel, along with public awareness and education, are vital in fostering the growth of this eco-friendly alternative. Biodiesel presents significant potential as a cleaner and more sustainable substitute for traditional fossil fuels in the transportation sector. However, a comprehensive life cycle assessment is necessary to ensure that environmental benefits are optimized and potential drawbacks are addressed. By adopting a holistic approach to biodiesel life cycle assessment, we can make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. Numerous studies have been conducted in this area. For decades, lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as the most important raw material for the environmentally and economically sustainable production of high-value bioproducts by microorganisms. Nevertheless, due to their robust resistant structure, lignocellulosic materials face significant challenges in obtaining fermentable sugars for conversion into value-added products, such as bioethanol, biobutanol, and biohydrogen, with particular emphasis on new strategies to overcome pretreatment barriers.
Materials and Methods
The materials and methods section of this study comprises two main parts. The first part follows the systematic review and establishes the primary framework for the life cycle list of biodiesel production from rapeseed oil. The second part details the life cycle assessment method and the list of sustainable bioenergy production from biodiesel derived from rapeseed oil in the Moghan region. Subsequently, it employs the feature selection method to identify the most impactful stage and input of biopower production concerning environmental impacts. As mentioned, the first part of this study is a systematic review. The PRISMA method was employed to conduct this review, which categorizes all steps of the systematic review into a standard approach. The Scopus and Web of Science databases were utilized for the systematic review. Keywords such as life cycle assessment, sustainable power generation, and biodiesel were used to search the sources within these databases (including Scopus, Web of Science, and Research Gate). The PRISMA systematic evaluation method consists of four main stages. The first stage is identification, during which 132 articles were identified using the keywords. In the second and third stages, screening was performed, resulting in the removal of 81 unrelated and duplicate articles by examining the titles and abstracts. In the final stage, which involves selecting studies for evaluation, 14 articles published in the last five years were chosen after a thorough reading of the main texts. These articles were then entered into the analysis and data extraction stage for further evaluation. Life cycle assessment is an essential tool for businesses, policymakers, and consumers to make informed decisions regarding the environmental performance of products and services. By offering a comprehensive view of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle, it facilitates the shift towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This study presents the life cycle assessment method utilizing Simapro software, supported by relevant inputs. Feature selection is a process that involves selecting a subset of relevant features from the original set to enhance model performance and decrease computational complexity. This is particularly crucial when working with high-dimensional data sets, as not all features may contribute equally to the model's predictive capability.
Results and Discussion
The results section is divided into two parts. The first part presents the findings of the life cycle assessment, while the second part outlines the relevant policies based on the systematic review and the results obtained.
In this section, the results from the systematic review stage are presented. This part showcases statistical results related to the most common life cycle log analysis methods. It is essential to evaluate this section, as the type of analysis method can influence the results obtained. Moghan region is situated in the north of Ardabil. This area is one of the agricultural hubs in Iran. In this region, rapeseed is a primary oilseed that can be cultivated. Accordingly, the foundational study focuses on the necessary components for biodiesel production through the transesterification method using rapeseed in the Moghan region. The list required to examine the life cycle of biodiesel production from rapeseed in this area is derived from the studies conducted.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significance of employing life cycle assessment (LCA) as a key tool to thoroughly examine the sustainability of power generation from biodiesel, particularly within the distinct context of the Moghan region. Through an in-depth analysis encompassing the entire life cycle of biodiesel, from production to end use, we have acquired valuable insights into the environmental implications tied to this alternative energy source. The findings of the case study reveal the intricate interplay of local agricultural practices, biodiesel production processes, and energy consumption patterns specific to the Moghan region. By taking these regional variations into account, our research not only enhances the understanding of the environmental impact of biodiesel but also offers pertinent insights that can guide sustainable energy strategies at the local level. Identifying potential environmental challenges and areas for improvement in the life cycle of biodiesel enables targeted interventions and the optimization of sustainable practices. This knowledge is crucial for policymakers, energy stakeholders, and local communities as they transition towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy solutions. Furthermore, the incorporation of LCA in our analysis guarantees an accurate and systematic assessment, facilitating informed decision-making for the Moghan region and other areas exploring biodiesel-based power generation. As the world confronts the pressing need for sustainable energy alternatives, our research emphasizes the importance of contextual assessments to steer the development of environmentally responsible and effective energy 

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References

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Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 9, Issue 3
September 2024
Pages 33-48

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  • Receive Date: 21 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 19 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 27 October 2024

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