How does bioenergy compare with other land‐based renewable energy sources globally?

The potential power generation from land‐based bioenergy is predicted globally using a computer model. Simultaneous consideration of land use, cost and carbon restrictions enables practical evaluation of net power output. Comparisons are made with wind and solar power, and a sensitivity analysis is...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inGlobal change biology. Bioenergy Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 513 - 524
Main Authors Pogson, Mark, Hastings, Astley, Smith, Pete
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.09.2013
Subjects
Agreements
Agricultural economics
Agricultural land
Agricultural production
Alternative energy sources
Arable land
bioenergy
Carbon
carbon emissions
Carbon sequestration
Costs
Efficiency
Energy resources
Energy sources
global demand
Growth models
Land use
Miscanthus
Photovoltaics
production cost
renewable energy
Renewable energy sources
Renewable resources
Sensitivity analysis
Solar energy
Solar panels
Solar power
Studies
Turbines
Viability
Wind power
Wind turbines
United Kingdom > UK
Europe
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The potential power generation from land‐based bioenergy is predicted globally using a computer model. Simultaneous consideration of land use, cost and carbon restrictions enables practical evaluation of net power output. Comparisons are made with wind and solar power, and a sensitivity analysis is used to explore the effects of different policy assumptions. Biomass is shown to offer only moderate power‐generating potential, and would satisfy less than half of current demand even if all suitable existing arable land were used to grow bioenergy crops. However, bioenergy can be cheap to generate given current economics, and is able to remove atmospheric carbon in some cases if coupled with carbon capture and storage. Wind turbines are able to provide more power globally, but photovoltaic solar panels are the only source considered with the potential to satisfy existing demand. Since land‐based bioenergy is also restricted by the need to grow food for an expanding population, and technological developments are likely to greatly increase the viability of other renewable sources, the role of land‐based bioenergy appears relatively limited and short‐term.
ISSN:1757-1693
1757-1707
DOI:10.1111/gcbb.12013