Energy consumption and CO 2 emissions of potato peel and sugarcane biohydrogen production pathways, applied to Portuguese road transportation

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 36; no. 21; pp. 13547 - 13558
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Ana F., Ribau, João P., Silva, Carla M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2011
• Subjects: Fuel-cell vehicle; Hydrogen; Life cycle assessment; Uncertainty; Well-to-Tank; Well-to-Wheel; Life cycle assessment; Uncertainty; Well-to-Wheel; Hydrogen; Well-to-Tank; Fuel-cell vehicle
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.08.008

This paper analyses the energy consumption and CO 2 emissions of biological hydrogen production from sugarcane and potato peels using life cycle assessment methodology for the Portuguese scenario. Potato peels are assumed to be produced locally from Portuguese potato cultivation. Sugarcane is assumed to be imported from Brazil and fermented in Portugal. The uncertainty is quantified by a Monte Carlo approach. Biohydrogen was compared with natural gas reforming, electrolysis and other energy resources such as diesel and electricity. Between bioH 2 feedstocks, sugarcane stands out with the lowest values for energy consumption and CO 2 emissions with 0.30–0.34 MJ of consumed energy and 24–31 g of CO 2 emitted per 1 MJ of H 2 produced. However these results do not have a major contribution to the Portuguese energy independency problem. On the other hand potato peels feedstocks are more attractive, presenting values of 0.49–0.61 MJ/MJ H2 and 60-77 gCO 2/MJ H2. According to Portuguese production capabilities, it is estimated that biohydrogen will be able to supply 3100 vehicles of a typical Portuguese urban taxi fleet or up to 1.4 million passenger cars with a daily commuting distance of 30 km. ► Sugarcane bioH 2 production achieved lower energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. ► Farming and distribution processes have the highest WTT impact in studied bioH 2. ► BioH 2 use can cut 52% of energy consumption and 69% of CO 2 in Portugal LDV fleet. ► Uncertainty varies hydrogen WTT results in 4.6–11.1% and WTW results in 4.8–9.4%. ► Potato peels and sugarcane bioH 2 cost of 0.5–1.7 €/kg H2 were foreseen.