Analysis of the current world biofuel production under a water–food–energy nexus perspective. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moioli, Emanuele; Salvati, Federico; Chiesa, Marco; Siecha, Roza T.; Manenti, Flavio; Laio, Francesco; Rulli, Maria Cristina
• Is Part Of: Advances in water resources. Volume 121(2018)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Food–energy–water nexus -- Bioenergy -- 1st generation biofuels -- Energy efficiency; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Hydrodynamics -- Periodicals; Hydraulic engineering -- Periodicals; 551.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2018.07.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-1708

Abstract

Highlights: A new method for the assessment of the water–food–energy nexus is developed. The quantification of the WFE nexus is operated through an efficiency-type index. The new index assesses the interrelationship among water and land use and the food production in bioenergy production. The method is applied to assess the efficiency of biofuel production on the global scale and from the main crops used. Abstract: This paper assesses the sustainability of bioenergy production under a nexus perspective through a new efficiency type index. The index describes 1st generation biofuel production under the perspective of the implied consumption of natural resources. We consider the sustainability of energy production as a sequence of steps, each characterised by its efficiency, and propose an index which returns an overall efficiency value describing the adequacy or inadequacy of the considered processes under a nexus perspective. The direct application of the nexus index entails an indication of the possible improvements needed to move production towards most sustainable processes or places. Moreover, it allows evaluating the efficiency of the main crops currently used in biofuel production with respect to the water–food–energy nexus. The results depict countries presently capable of performing sustainable production of 1st generation biofuel from particular crops. Furthermore, the analysis of the single components of the nexus index allows understanding the effects of possible improvements (e.g. soil and water management, new generation biofuels) on the overall production efficiency under a nexus perspective.