Integrated assessment: environmental and economic sustainability

The provision of sustainably produced fuels from renewable resources is an important social goal and is also reflected in EU policies. Important objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and generating sources of income in rural areas. However, awareness is increasing that biofuels currently on the market may be accompanied by some considerable drawbacks, because of competition with foodstuffs, substantial remaining greenhouse gas emissions and negative impacts on other environmental factors such as eutrophication and acidification.

Alternative biogenic fuels are therefore currently being developed to increase benefits and reduce drawbacks. A very promising option is the conversion of lignocellulosic (woody and fibrous) biomass to bioethanol. In the framework of the BIOLYFE project PROESA™ technology was developed and is applied in the world's largest lignocellulose-bioethanol facility in Crescentino, Italy. An integrated sustainability evaluation was also performed as part of this project. It aimed to analyse whether future, large-scale dissemination of the PROESA™ technology provides benefits from environmental, economic and social perspectives compared to the use of existing biofuels or fossil fuels. This comprehensive analysis investigated scenarios on future implementation of this technology, from the provision of raw materials to the energy utilisation of the bioethanol, and a variety of optimisation options.