Title: Avoided global warming emissions with the adoption of biofuel policies in Spain

Authors: Y. Lechon, H. Cabal, N. Caldes, M. Santamaria, R. Saez

Addresses: CIEMAT, Avda Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' CIEMAT, Avda Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' CIEMAT, Avda Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' CIEMAT, Avda Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain. ' CIEMAT, Avda Complutense, 22 28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The objective of this study is to assess the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the production and use of biofuels in Spain considering different crop production alternatives, including the possible import of raw materials. Avoided GHG emissions due to the substitution of conventional transport fuels with biofuels are then quantified. The studied biofuels are bioethanol from cereal crops and biodiesel from crude vegetable oil and waste vegetable oil. Several blends of these biofuels with gasoline and diesel are also studied. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of these fuels is carried out. The stakeholders were involved early in the process, setting the scope of the analysis and providing the relevant data. The results shown are GHG emissions in the production and distribution of these fuels. The benefits, in terms of GHG savings, of the adoption of the biofuel introduction objectives at the national and European levels are also quantified.

Keywords: bioethanol; biodiesel; biofuels; life cycle assessment; LCA; greenhouse gases; GHG emissions; Spain; biofuel objectives; biofuel policies; global warming; crop production; crop alternatives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2009.027095

International Journal of Global Warming, 2009 Vol.1 No.1/2/3, pp.288 - 306

Published online: 14 Jul 2009 *

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