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Sustainable biomass production: A comparison between Gross Energy Requirement and Emergy Synthesis methods

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Abstract.
In this paper two methods for energy analysis and environmental accounting (Gross Energy
Requirement and Emergy Synthesis) are critically discussed in order to explore their ability
to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the performance and environmental sustainability
of human-dominated production processes. In order to allow a quantitative comparison,
two cropping systems, namely 1 ha of corn production in Italy, and 1 ha of willow
production in Sweden, are investigated by means of the parallel application of both
methods. The case studies are carried out by performing a quantitative inventory of both
natural and economic input flows to the investigated cropping systems. Such input flows are
then converted into embodied energy (MJ) as well as emergy (seJ) units. Finally, performance
indicators representative for each method are calculated. Results provided by the two
methods and their respective theoretical features are compared and discussed in order
to point out limits and potentialities of both approaches. The study shows that the two
methods account for different – although complementary – categories of input flows, use
different conversion factors, and answer to different questions and concerns. Gross Energy
Requirement focuses on fossil fuel use and is capable to support the development of more
efficient use of commercial energy. Emergy Synthesis uses broader spatial and time frames
and accounts for both natural and economic resources. In so doing, it takes into consideration
different forms of energy, materials, human labor and economic services on a common
basis, offering larger potentiality to explore the sustainable interplay of environment and
economy.

Keywords: Energy analysis, Gross Energy Requirement, Emergy Synthesis, Biomass

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Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

Ecological Indicators

No. Panggil

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Penerbit

London : Elsevier Ltd.., 2009

Deskripsi Fisik

Ecological Indicators 9 (2009 ) 959 – 970

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

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Klasifikasi

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Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

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Subjek

LINGKUNGAN HIDUP

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

agus

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