Energy rate analysis of biofuel production and consumption from biomass

Abstract

The energy input and output are two important factors used to determine the energetic and ecological usefulness of a fuel or its production technology. In the following paper 24 methods for 5 different biofuels, which can be produced in agriculture and forestry are analysed and energetic balances are drawn up for them. A balancing program developed in the ATB Potsdam–Bornim is used for this. The program is based on the recent guideline VDI 4600 of the Association of German Engineers, which ensures reliability and comparability of the results. The results show that the energetic input is relatively low compared to the output, especially for by-products and residual substances such as cereal straw and forest clearing timber. Whenever fuel crops are cultivated, the energetic efficiency is critically determined by the quantity of nitrogen applied