The effect of population density on the suitability of biomass energy development. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Yuzhu; Zhang, Yifei; Ma, Keni
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 87(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Population density -- Service areas of biomass thermal power plants -- Suitability of biomass energy development -- Types of cities -- Spatial distribution; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.104240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: Determined study cases by service radius threshold of biomass thermal power plants. The suitability of biomass energy decreases as population density increases. Determined four population density intervals for the suitability of biomass energy. Small cities are more suitable for biomass energy than medium or large cities. Counties and county-level cities are more suitable for biomass energy than districts. Abstract: Biomass, as a kind of renewable and clean energy with large reserves, provides a carbon-neutral solution for today's environmental degradation caused by fossil fuel combustion. Population density is a key factor that influences a region's suitability for biomass development. By examining the impacts of population density on the suitability of biomass energy development, this paper is committed to locating the interval of population density suitable for developing biomass energy, thereby providing data as a reference for biomass energy development planning in a region. The paper utilized a spatial analysis tool to identify the location of biomass thermal power plants, and studied 51 districts, counties, and county-level cities within service areas. The percentages of biomass energy supply have been obtained by calculating the total biomass energy demand and supply. And multiple regression analysis on the percentage and population density. The analysis result shows that population density and suitability of biomass energy development are negatively correlated. The relationship between the two can be divided into four intervals: extremely suitable, relatively suitable, relatively unsuitable, and extremely unsuitable.