Measuring sustainability
Why? and How?
F. Pierie MSc. B Eng. PhD. candidate J. Bekkering PhD.
R.M.J. Benders PhD.
Prof. W.J.T. van Gemert PhD.
Prof. H.C. Moll PhD.
This project is part-financed by the municipality of Groningen, province of Groningen, the European Union, European Regional Development Fund, the Ministry of Economic Affairs “Pieken in de Delta” and “Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland”, and is supported by Energy Valley.
Introduction
Goal: Researching the integration of biogas production and use in a smart, flexible and decentralized (bio)gas grid.
Gas canister market
Consumers Waste producers
Gas canister truck Gas upgrading
Greenhouse
Gas injection point
Farm
Biogas production
Smart monitoring
Solar PV Wind
Measuring
sustainability
WHY?
Within this presentation sustainability is defined as
“strong sustainability”
(Elkington 1999; Christodoulou 2012).
Definition sustainability
Profit People Planet
Renewable
Renewable does not mean sustainable.
• Renewable is referring to the energy source and not the process of extracting and refining the energy from its source.
• Sustainable is including all impacts of the energy source during its entire lifetime.
Renewable
The transition towards renewable energy will requires a clear and understandable insight into the environmental consequences of producing renewable energy
(Börjesson, Berglund 2007, De Vries, Vinken et al. 2012).
Method and model
HOW?
Measuring sustainability
How can we measure sustainability in a,
scientific, transparent, and understandable way
Methodology in model
This methodology includes
• Modular approach
• Material and Energy Flow Analysis
• Attributed Life Cycle Analysis
An integrated approach for a dynamic energy and environmental system analysis of biogas production pathways
Modular approach
Used to lower complexity and create flexibility in model
Sub-module
BIOMASS
Manure Maize
TRANSPORT
Tractor Truck
PRODUCTION
Co-digestion
UPGRADING
Scrubbing Membranes MODULE
Sub-module
Truck Grass
Gasification Alternative
Sub-modules Absorption
Main route Alternative route
Sub-module
Within each sub-module the impact of a specific process is determined (for instance the digester)
Variables
(P)EROI
Carbon Footprint
EcoPoints
Impact factors Material Flow Analysis
Direct Material and Energy Flow Analysis
Indirect Material and Energy Flow Analysis
Attributed Life Cycle Analysis (SimaPro / EcoInvent)
Biomass Biogas
Electricity use
Electricity production
Constructions
t
1) (P)EROI
(Process) Energy Returned on Invested in GJ/GJ
Energy in biomass
Process energy
consumed Process Useful
energy produced Internal
energy use
System boundary
𝑃 𝐸𝑅𝑂𝐼 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑑
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑 = 𝐺𝐽 𝐺𝐽
2) GWP(100)
Carbon footprint GWP(100) in kgCO2eq/GJ
CO2
CO2
Fossil emissions Increase in GWP
BIOMASS
System boundary
Useful energy produced
𝐺𝑊𝑃(100) = 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 = 𝑘𝑔𝐶𝑂2𝑒𝑞
𝐺𝐽
3) EcoPoints
Human health Resources Eco-systems
System boundary
Useful energy produced
Environmental impact overall (ReCiPe) in EcoPoints Pt/GJ
𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡 = 𝑃𝑡
𝐺𝐽
Model
The sub-modules were combined into a model (Excel)
Sub-module Module
Some results
The anaerobic digestion green gas
production pathway
Scenarios
Results (P)EROI
Results carbon footprint
Results environmental
impact
Transport
Discussion
• AD process complex to model
• Range sensitive values are large within literature
• Economical values not taken into account
• There are still emissions from biogas chain, only less due to replacement scenarios
Conclusion
• The goal of AD should not be limited to producing green gas
• Internal energy use improves impact AD process
• The goal of AD should be waste treatment, with use of byproducts (gas, heat, electricity and
digestate) for internal and local consumption.
Are there QUESTIONS?
From a “strong sustainability” perspective:
• Use AD for waste treatment
• Use byproducts to power process
• Use remaining byproducts locally
Frank Pierie Also check out presentation Flexigas from Jan Bekkering
(Wednesday session 27 room 9 from 15:15 to 15:35h.)
This project is part-financed by the municipality of Groningen, province of Groningen, the European Union, European Regional Development Fund, the Ministry of Economic Affairs “Pieken in de Delta” and “Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland”, and is supported by Energy Valley.
Contact details
Frank Pierie PhD Researcher
f.pierie@pl.hanze.nl
Hanze Research Centre – Energy
This project is part-financed by the municipality of Groningen, province of Groningen, the European Union, European Regional Development Fund, the Ministry of Economic Affairs “Pieken in de Delta” and “Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland”, and is supported by Energy Valley.
