<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In Latvia, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) is generally considered to have a significant economic potential in the field of biofuels. As investments grow, it is important to evaluate the environmental impacts of this production and to highlight the main sources of these impacts.Nowadays, the share of biofuels in the transport sector in Latvia is attested to have a value of 0.3% (around 75% biodiesel and 25% bioethanol). Biofuel production in Latvia doubled in the last two years: the current total biodiesel production is approximately 64 ktonne/year (year 2009).The aim of this paper is to understand and model the environmental performance of the biodiesel produced from rapeseeds under the local Latvian conditions. Firstly, energy crops were evaluated by assessing their levels of biodiesel productivity. Secondly, the current Latvian climatic conditions and cultivation parameters were taken into account. To conclude, a comparison with the impacts of fossil based diesel was conducted.</abstract>

In Latvia, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) is generally considered to have a significant economic potential in the field of biofuels. As investments grow, it is important to evaluate the environmental impacts of this production and to highlight the main sources of these impacts.Nowadays, the share of biofuels in the transport sector in Latvia is attested to have a value of 0.3% (around 75% biodiesel and 25% bioethanol). Biofuel production in Latvia doubled in the last two years: the current total biodiesel production is approximately 64 ktonne/year (year 2009).The aim of this paper is to understand and model the environmental performance of the biodiesel produced from rapeseeds under the local Latvian conditions. Firstly, energy crops were evaluated by assessing their levels of biodiesel productivity. Secondly, the current Latvian climatic conditions and cultivation parameters were taken into account. To conclude, a comparison with the impacts of fossil based diesel was conducted.

Why Biodiesel is Environmentally Better than Traditional, Fossil-based Diesel: an LCA Approach

Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University

Environmental and Climate Technologies

In Latvia, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) is generally considered to have a significant economic potential in the field of biofuels. As investments grow, it is...

Why Biodiesel is Environmentally Better than Traditional, Fossil-based Diesel: an LCA Approach

Published Online: Jan 31, 2012

Page range: 93 - 99

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10145-011-0033-z

Keywords
Biodiesel, Life Cycle Assessment, renewable energy sources

This content is open access.

Why Biodiesel is Environmentally Better than Traditional, Fossil-based Diesel: an LCA Approach

Published Online: Jan 31, 2012

Page range: 93 - 99

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10145-011-0033-z

KeywordsBiodiesel, Life Cycle Assessment, renewable energy sources

This content is open access.

Keywords
Biodiesel, Life Cycle Assessment, renewable energy sources