Comparing new Swedish concepts for production of second generation biofuels - evaluating CO2 emissions using a system approach

Other conference contribution, 2007

Well-to-wheels studies and various figures of merit are often used to assess the benefits of different biofuels regarding for example climate effect, security of supply, energy efficiency, resource efficiency and costs. However, fundamental differences in system boundaries, assumptions about surrounding systems etc. influence the results when comparing biofuels. This work focuses on well-to-wheel studies of second generation biofuels, in particular the technologies represented by the three development plants in Sweden, i.e. cellulosic ethanol in Örnsköldsvik, biomass gasification in Värnamo, and black liquor gasification in Piteå. The discussion includes potential to improve comparisons by for example including byproducts, e.g. heat, the influence of energy integration of the production process, and CCS in biofuel production as a way to improve climate benefits from biofuels.