Open AccessEnergy balances and greenhouse gas emissions of palm oil biodiesel in I ndonesia
Author(s) -
Harsono Soni Sisbudi,
Prochnow Annette,
Grundmann Philipp,
Hansen Anja,
Hallmann Claudia
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
gcb bioenergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.378
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1757-1707
pISSN - 1757-1693
DOI - 10.1111/j.1757-1707.2011.01118.x
Subject(s) - greenhouse gas , biodiesel , environmental science , biofuel , agriculture , bioenergy , biodiesel production , fertilizer , fossil fuel , agroforestry , agronomy , waste management , engineering , chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , biology , catalysis
This study presents a cradle‐to‐gate assessment of the energy balances and greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions of I ndonesian palm oil biodiesel production, including the stages of land‐use change ( LUC ), agricultural phase, transportation, milling, biodiesel processing, and comparing the results from different farming systems, including company plantations and smallholder plantations (either out growers or independent growers) in different locations in K alimantan and S umatra of I ndonesia. The findings demonstrate that there are considerable differences between the farming systems and the locations in net energy yields (43.6–49.2 GJ t −1 biodiesel yr −1 ) as well as GHG emissions (1969.6–5626.4 kg CO 2eq t −1 biodiesel yr −1 ). The output to input ratios are positive in all cases. The largest GHG emissions result from LUC effects, followed by the transesterification, fertilizer production, agricultural production processes, milling, and transportation. Ecosystem carbon payback times range from 11 to 42 years.