Scientists of the University of Twente (The Netherlands) have calculated that bioenergy production needs more water than other types of energy. The water footprint of bioenergy (the amount of water needed to produce biomass) is a lot less favourable with the exception of bioelectricity.
Researcher assessed the water footprint of thirteen crops. Based on these results a responsible choose can be made for a specific crop en production area. The results of the findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) van June 2nd, 2009.
The researchers assesed the amount of water needed -both irrigation and rainfall- per Gigajoule energy produced. By connecting wateruse to location and climatological information the most optimal location for the specific crop was assessed. ,,This way it is possible to prevent the production of certain crops in less favourable areas, especially in areas where food and water are already scares resources”, according to the researchers.
The results of this research add a new element to the discussion about crop production for biofuels. Up until now this discussion focussed on the competion between food and fuel. ”Beneath that question lies the question how we should utilize our fresh water supplies in the world. Water that is used for either a food crop such as corn or a non-food crop such as jatropha can not be applied for food production or the maintenance of the ecological system.” The water footprint was developed by prof. Arjan Hoekstra and has proven a powerfull aid in this debate. For example, according to Hoekstra’s model, 1 liter diesel needs 14,000 liter of water when produced from soy or canola. However the production in Western Europe requires a lot less water than that in Asia. Usins soy the water footprint is highets in India and most favourable in Italy and Paraguay. Jatropha, popular as a non-food crop for biodiesel production, claims the most water. To produce 1 liter of diesel around 20,000 liter of water is needed.
Bioelectricity
Research shows that the production of bioelectricity has a smaller water footprint than biofuel production. Reason for the difference is the fact that in the first situation the whole plant is utilized whereas for the production of biofuels only part of the plant e.g. sugar, starch, oil or fibre is needed. Improved techniques can make the water footprint of biofuels smaller.
According to the model the production of bioelectricity from sugar beets is most efficient with regard to the water use. Jatropha is ten times less efficient. A litre bioethanol from sugar beets requires 1400 liter water, using Brasilian sugar cane 2500 liter water is needed.
Het onderzoek is uitgevoerd door de groepen Waterbeheer en Thermische Werktuigbouwkunde, die deel uitmaken van het instituut IMPACT van de Universiteit Twente. Het multidisciplinaire onderzoek naar verantwoord waterbeheer en -gebruik vindt verder plaats in het Twente Water Centre (www.water.utwente.nl).
http://www.utwente.nl
Het artikel ‘The water footprint of bioenergy’ van Winnie Gerbens-Leenes, Arjen Hoekstra en Theo van der Meer, verschijnt op 2 juni in de Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Het kan op verzoek toegestuurd worden.
Contactpersoon voor de pers: Prof. Arjen Hoekstra, Twente Water Centre, tel (053)4893880, email a.y.hoekstra@utwente.nl of Communicatie UT, Wiebe van der Veen, tel (053) 4894244 of 06 121 85 692, email w.r.vanderveen@utwente.nl
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