Energy consumption and CO2 emissions of potato peel and sugarcane biohydrogen production pathways, applied to Portuguese road transportation

This paper analyses the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of biological hydrogen production from sugarcane and potato peels using life cycle assessment methodology for the Portuguese scenario. Potato peels are assumed to be produced locally from Portuguese potato cultivation. Sugarcane is assumed to be imported from Brazil and fermented in Portugal. The uncertainty is quantified by a Monte Carlo approach. Biohydrogen was compared with natural gas reforming, electrolysis and other energy resources such as diesel and electricity. Between bioH2 feedstocks, sugarcane stands out with the lowest values for energy consumption and CO2 emissions with 0.30–0.34 MJ of consumed energy and 24–31 g of CO2 emitted per 1 MJ of H2 produced. However these results do not have a major contribution to the Portuguese energy independency problem. On the other hand potato peels feedstocks are more attractive, presenting values of 0.49–0.61 MJ/MJH2 and 60-77 gCO2/MJH2. According to Portuguese production capabilities, it is estimated that biohydrogen will be able to supply 3100 vehicles of a typical Portuguese urban taxi fleet or up to 1.4 million passenger cars with a daily commuting distance of 30 km.

► Sugarcane bioH2 production achieved lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions. ► Farming and distribution processes have the highest WTT impact in studied bioH2. ► BioH2 use can cut 52% of energy consumption and 69% of CO2 in Portugal LDV fleet. ► Uncertainty varies hydrogen WTT results in 4.6–11.1% and WTW results in 4.8–9.4%. ► Potato peels and sugarcane bioH2 cost of 0.5–1.7 €/kgH2 were foreseen.