Cellulosic biofuels from crop residue and groundwater extraction in the US Plains: The case of Nebraska

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 144; pp. 218 - 225
• Main Author: Sesmero, Juan P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agricultural and forest climatology and meteorology. Irrigation. Drainage; Agricultural Irrigation; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal Feed - analysis; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biofuel production; Biofuels - economics; Biofuels - supply & distribution; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cellulosic biofuels; Conservation of Natural Resources - economics; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Corn stover; Crops, Agricultural - economics; Crops, Agricultural - growth & development; Crops, Agricultural - supply & distribution; Energy; Environmental Policy; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; General aspects; Groundwater; Groundwater - analysis; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Irrigation; Irrigation. Drainage; Models, Economic; Nebraska; Nonlinear Dynamics; Organic Chemicals - chemistry; Soil - chemistry; Soil organic carbon; United States; North America; America; Nebraska; Irrigation; Corn stover; Groundwater; Q15; Q26; Q28; Q16; Soil organic carbon; Cellulosic biofuels; Q42; Organic carbon; Monocotyledones; Zea mays; Corn; Biofuel; Environmental management; Energy crop; Plain; Gramineae; Crop residues; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Ground water
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.05.034

This study develops a model of crop residue (i.e. stover) supply and derived demand for irrigation water accounting for non-linear effects of soil organic matter on soil's water holding capacity. The model is calibrated for typical conditions in central Nebraska, United States, and identifies potential interactions between water and biofuel policies. The price offered for feedstock by a cost-minimizing plant facing that stover supply response is calculated. Results indicate that as biofuel production volumes increase, soil carbon depletion per unit of biofuel produced decreases. Consumption of groundwater per unit of biofuel produced first decreases and then increases (after a threshold of 363 dam3 of biofuels per year) due to plants' increased reliance on the extensive margin for additional biomass. The analysis reveals a tension between biofuel and water policies. As biofuel production raises the economic benefits of relaxing water conservation policies (measured by the “shadow price” of water) increase. •Groundwater extraction associated with stover supply in Nebraska is quantified.•Effects of soil organic matter on soil's water holding capacity are considered.•Soil carbon efficiency of biofuels increases with increased production of biofuel.•Groundwater efficiency of biofuels decreases after a threshold of 363 dam3/year.•Groundwater conservation policies increase the production cost of biofuels.