Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Bioenergy Production Systems Using Advanced Life Cycle Modeling
B. Kailashkumar *
Department of Agricultural Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan University, Tiruchirapalli – 621112, India.
S M Subhashini
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal – 637018, India.
V Priyadharshini
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal – 637018, India.
J Vishnupriya
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal – 637018, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The transition toward low-carbon energy systems has increased interest in bioenergy as a renewable alternative to fossil-based energy. However, the environmental performance of bioenergy production systems depends strongly on feedstock characteristics, land-use practices, conversion technologies, transportation requirements, energy inputs, coproduct allocation, and the treatment of biogenic carbon. Consequently, evaluating bioenergy sustainability requires a comprehensive life cycle perspective rather than considering only emissions occurring during energy conversion. This article presents an advanced life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for evaluating the environmental sustainability of bioenergy production systems using openLCA, an open-source LCA software platform. The proposed framework integrates feedstock cultivation or collection, preprocessing, transportation, conversion, energy generation, coproduct management, waste treatment, and end-of-life processes within a cradle-to-grave system boundary.
The methodology combines process-based life cycle inventory modelling with scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty assessment, and contribution analysis. Multiple impact categories, including global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, eutrophication, acidification, photochemical ozone formation, particulate matter formation, water consumption, and land-use impacts, can be evaluated to identify environmental trade-offs. Particular attention is given to methodological issues that substantially influence bioenergy LCA results, including system boundaries, functional units, allocation procedures, biogenic carbon accounting, soil carbon changes, indirect land-use change, and electricity-system assumptions. The article demonstrates how openLCA can be used to construct transparent and reproducible models for comparing alternative bioenergy pathways. The resulting framework can support technology selection, process optimisation, policy development, and the design of more resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable bioenergy systems.
Keywords: Bioenergy, life cycle assessment, openLCA, environmental sustainability, life cycle inventory, global warming potential, renewable energy, carbon footprint, scenario analysis, uncertainty analysis