A Method for Assessing Regional Bioenergy Potentials Based on GIS Data and a Dynamic Yield Simulation Model

Keyu Bao, Rushikesh Padsala, Volker Coors, Daniela Thrän and Bastian Schröter
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Keyu Bao: Center for Sustainable Energy Technology, Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Schellingstraße 24, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Rushikesh Padsala: Center for Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Schellingstraße 24, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Volker Coors: Center for Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Schellingstraße 24, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Daniela Thrän: Department of Bioenergy, Helmholz Center for Environmental Research, Torgauer Strasse 116, D-04247 Leipzig, Germany
Bastian Schröter: Center for Sustainable Energy Technology, Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Schellingstraße 24, D-70174 Stuttgart, Germany

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-24

Abstract: The assessment of regional bioenergy potentials from different types of natural land cover is an integral part of simulation tools that aim to assess local renewable energy systems. This work introduces a new workflow, which evaluates regional bioenergy potentials and its impact on water demand based on geographical information system (GIS)-based land use data, satellite maps on local crop types and soil types, and conversion factors from biomass to bioenergy. The actual annual biomass yield of crops is assessed through an automated process considering the factors of local climate, crop type, soil, and irrigation. The crop biomass yields are validated with historic statistical data, with deviation less than 7% in most cases. Additionally, the resulting bioenergy potentials yield between 10.7 and 12.0 GWh/ha compared with 13.3 GWh/ha from other studies. The potential contribution from bioenergy on the energy demand were investigated in the two case studies, representing the agricultural-dominant rural area in North Germany and suburban region in South Germany: Simulation of the future bioenergy potential for 2050 shows only smaller effects from climate change (less than 4%) and irrigation (below 3%), but the potential to cover up to 21% of the transport fuels demand in scenario supporting biodiesel and bioethanol for transportation.

Keywords: potential analysis; geographical information system (GIS); bioenergy; AquaCrop (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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