Comparison of land use efficiencies of different transportation energy systems

Approximately 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions are released directly by the transportation sector especially due to the use of fossil petrol and diesel. This has led to increased production and development of renewable... [ view full abstract ]

Approximately 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions are released directly by the transportation sector especially due to the use of fossil petrol and diesel. This has led to increased production and development of renewable transportation energy systems. Based on the planetary boundary framework presented by Rockström et al. (2009) and Steffen et al. (2012) in addition to global warming impacts (GWP) earth functions are facings major challenges related to land system change, biosphere integrity and biochemical flows. In order to find more sustainable transportation energy production options also these impacts should be taken into account. The aim of this research is to use life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate land use (LU) efficiency of four potential renewable transportation energy production systems. The goal is to calculate how many kilometers of passenger car drive can be produced by using one hectare of land. The chosen renewable transportation energy pathways are: 1) diesel production from palm oil, 2) ethanol production from sugarcane, 3) electricity production by solar and wind power and 4) methane production using carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen produced by renewable electricity. The data for LCA model is collected from literature and databases. The research focuses on direct LU but infrastructure requirements are also included in the model. This research gives important and comparative information for some of the most potential renewable transportation energy production pathways. There is already a plenty of research related to global warming impacts of these systems but less knowledge on LU efficiency. Similar approach have already been used by Uusitalo et al. (2017) but the research was carried out only for electricity and biomass based fuels in the boreal climate zone. Based on the research electricity use is far more efficient than fuel production in terms of LU. However biomass productivity is much lower in the boreal climate zone than in more temperate climate zones. LU efficiency is a highly important factor because it has impact also e.g. to climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition to LU efficiency the type and service provided by land area needed for the process is also important. 

Key words: Land use, LCA, transportation, electricity, diesel