WHO NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT ABOUT ENERGY USE? THE PALM OIL BIOFUEL CASE
Last modified: 2014-09-11
Abstract
In life cycle assessments and energy analyses of palm oil biofuel, the choice of energy use indicators has been found to be arbitrary, poorly motivated and poorly described. This paper discusses the system boundaries represented by different energy use indicators and their appropriateness in terms of different environmental concerns. The paper also discusses the need of different energy use information for different actors in the product life cycle and the resulting need to tailor-make assessments and presentations of assessment results to different audiences.
Keywords
energy use indicator; life cycle assessment; palm oil methyl ester; biofuel; energy analysis
References
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Efroymson R A, Dale V H, Kline K L, McBride A C, Bielicki J M, Smith R L, Parish E S, Schweizer P E, Shaw D M. 2013. Environmental Indicators of Biofuel Sustainability: What About Context? Environmental Management (2013) 51:291–306. DOI 10.1007/s00267-012-9907-5
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