Sustainable Heat Production for Fossil Fuel Replacement—Life Cycle Assessment for Plant Biomass Renewable Energy Sources

Isabel Brás, Massimiliano Fabbricino (), José Ferreira, Elisabete Silva and Vincenzo Mignano
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Isabel Brás: Department of Environment, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Massimiliano Fabbricino: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
José Ferreira: CERNAS-IPV Research Centre and ESTGV, Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Elisabete Silva: Department of Environment, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Vincenzo Mignano: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: This study aims to assess the environmental impact of using wood-based biomass as a high-efficiency fuel alternative to fossil fuels for heat production. To achieve this, the life cycle of biomass transformation, utilization, and disposal was analyzed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology with SimaPro 9.5.0.2 PhD software. The system boundaries included extraction, processing, transportation, combustion, and waste management, following a cradle-to-gate approach. A comparative analysis was conducted between natural gas, the most widely used conventional heating fuel, and two biomass-based fuels: wood pellets and wood chips. The results indicate that biomass utilization reduces greenhouse gas emissions (−19%) and fossil resource depletion (−16%) while providing environmental benefits across all assessed impact categories analyzed, except for land use (+96%). Biomass is also to be preferred for forest waste management, ease of supply, and energy independence. However, critical life cycle phases, such as raw material processing and transportation, were found to contribute significantly to human health and ecosystem well-being. To mitigate these effects, optimizing combustion efficiency, improving supply chain logistics, and promoting sustainable forestry practices are recommended. These findings highlight the potential of biomass as a viable renewable energy source and provide insights into strategies for minimizing its environmental footprint.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; biomass valorization; energetic valorization; plant biomass; wood; pellet; chips; natural gas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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