LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF HEAT PRODUCTION FROM ENERGY CROPS

The aim of the work is a life cycle assessment of heat production from energy crops by using energy yield coefficient and value of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. State of the art and prospects for growing energy crops in the EU and Ukraine are analyzed. Today, the area under energy crops in the EU and Ukraine is relatively small, but there is significant potential for the development of this sector, which requires further research and implementation of practical measures. Typically, the life cycle assessment of energy production from biomass includes a feedstock cycle, which begins with the phase of biomass collection, and a conversion subsystem. The main feature of the life cycle assessment concerning energy crops is including the phase of their growth in the feedstock cycle. Results of the study show that the energy efficiency of the life cycle of heat production from energy crops chips and pellets is quite high and meets the recommendation that the non-renewable energy yield coefficient should be at least more than 2. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during such a life cycle is 40-90% for a 500 kW boiler plant when transporting biofuels to the consumer at a distance of up to 500 km. Feasibility study of projects on growing energy crops and heat production from them shows that under the current conditions in Ukraine, such projects are on the verge of profitability and therefore may not be attractive enough for investors. To promote the development of this sector, it is recommended to introduce a state subsidy per hectare of a plantation area.