A life cycle assessment of biodiesel production from winter rape grown in Southern Europe

Abstract This paper analyses the viability of Brassica napus as an energy crop cultivated for producing biodiesel in southern Europe. The proposed methodology assessment combines physical variables such as grain production and agroclimate conditions with environmental analysis (LCA) in order to determine the Mediterranean agroclimates areas that could be cultivated for non-food purposes. The results obtained in a local production and distribution scenario (25 km) demonstrate that the biodiesel systems analysed have a better energy balance than diesel. Biodiesel obtained a net energy benefit of 16.25 MJ kg −1 of biodiesel or 35.10 MJ kg −1 of biodiesel when the avoided impacts from coproducts (glycerine and rapemeal) are considered in comparison with conventional diesel. In terms of environmental performance, the biodiesel system also has less impact compared with diesel in three categories Abiotic Depletion (AD), Photochemical Oxidation (PO) and Global Warming Potential (GWP). The estimated impact reduction in the GWP category when is compared with diesel reached a minimum of 1.76 kg CO 2 eq. per kg of biodiesel when emissions of the use phase are included. The paper also demonstrates that agroclimates called “e”, “b” and “d” that ensure grain productions higher than 2000 kg ha −1 the biodiesel commercialization from B. napus energy crop is suitable in environmental terms for an energy local and regional production and distribution strategy.

[1]  G. Vicente,et al.  A Comparative Study of Vegetable Oils for Biodiesel Production in Spain , 2006 .

[2]  Markus A. Reuter,et al.  Life cycle impact assessment of the average passenger vehicle in the Netherlands , 2003 .

[3]  M. Hauschild,et al.  Estimation of pesticide emissions for LCA of agricultural products , 2002 .

[4]  D. Pimentel,et al.  Food Production and the Energy Crisis , 1973, Science.

[5]  Hans-Jürgen Dr. Klüppel,et al.  The Revision of ISO Standards 14040-3 - ISO 14040: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework - ISO 14044: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines , 2005 .

[6]  G. Psacharopoulos.  Overview and methodology , 1991 .

[7]  I. Boustead,et al.  Handbook of industrial energy analysis , 1979 .

[8]  Frank Brentrup,et al.  Application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to agricultural production: an example of sugar beet production with different forms of nitrogen fertilisers , 2001 .

[9]  Sven Bernesson,et al.  A limited LCA comparing large- and small-scale production of rape methyl ester (RME) under Swedish conditions , 2004 .

[10]  Reinout Heijungs,et al.  Life Cycle Assessment , 2005 .

[11]  P. Barraclough,et al.  Environmental impact assessment of agricultural production systems using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology II. The application to N fertilizer use in winter wheat production systems , 2004 .

[12]  Maharaj Narain,et al.  Energy profile of a seed-processing plant , 1988 .

[13]  Sven Bernesson,et al.  A limited LCA comparing large- and small-scale production of ethanol for heavy engines under Swedish conditions , 2006 .

[14]  Xavier Gabarrell,et al.  Exergy analysis applied to biodiesel production , 2007 .

[15]  G. Keoleian,et al.  Life cycle assessment of a willow bioenergy cropping system , 2003 .

[16]  J. Lammel,et al.  Environmental impact assessment of agricultural production systems using the life cycle assessment methodology: I. Theoretical concept of a LCA method tailored to crop production , 2004 .

[17]  Carles M. Gasol,et al.  Life cycle assessment of a Brassica carinata bioenergy cropping system in southern Europe. , 2007 .

[18]  M. B. Green.  Energy in pesticide manufacture, distribution and use , 1987 .