Life Cycle Assessment of Bioenergy Systems versus Fossil Fuel Alternatives: Insights for Sustainable Energy Transitions in Nigeria
Background: The pressing necessity to address climate change has positioned energy decarbonization at the forefront of global sustainability initiatives. Decarbonization entails diminishing carbon intensity throughout the energy value chain by transitioning from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
3V Scientific Publishing House
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Trends in Ecological and Indoor Environmental Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.teiee.net/pdf-205338-127601?filename=Life%20Cycle%20Assessment%20of.pdf |
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| Summary: | Background:
The pressing necessity to address climate change has positioned energy decarbonization at the forefront of global sustainability initiatives. Decarbonization entails diminishing carbon intensity throughout the energy value chain by transitioning from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon alternatives, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, and bioenergy. Nigeria, despite its abundant fossil fuel resources, experiences persistent energy instability marked by inconsistent electricity delivery, low access rates, and excessive reliance on petroleum goods. The incorporation of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, and small hydropower, has become an essential strategy for attaining energy security, sustainability, and climate resilience. Investing in renewable energy diminishes reliance on fossil fuels while fostering job development, energy fairness, and environmental conservation.
Objectives:
The main objective of the current study is to comparison of environmental impacts through life cycle assessment (LCA) of two energy systems in Nigeria, namely bioenergy systems using locally available biomass as agricultural waste and traditional fossil fuel-based systems. It is expected that the study will identify key features of the two energy production approaches and provide a scientifically sound basis for the selection of cleaner energy sources, thereby facilitating Nigeria's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Methods:
The following databases were used in searching for secondary data used for this study: Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL). The keywords used for this search were: "Lifecycle Assessment", "LCA", "bioenergy", "biomass", "fossil fuels", "Nigeria", "sustainable energy", "greenhouse gas emissions", "renewable energy Nigeria". The inclusion criteria were considered in the course of this review: Studies focused on Nigeria or similar Sub-Saharan African contexts, Peer-reviewed articles, LCA studies, government and NGO reports, Publications in English from 2000 to 2024. The following exclusion criteria were used for this review: Non-peer-reviewed blogs, editorials, and news articles, Studies lacking clear LCA methodology.
Results:
The findings underscore the critical role of lifecycle thinking in guiding energy policy and project implementation in developing countries facing the dual challenge of expanding energy access and combating climate change.
Conclusion:
The lifecycle assessment of bioenergy systems compared to fossil fuel alternatives provides critical insights for shaping sustainable energy transitions in Nigeria. While fossil fuels have historically powered the nation's economy, their environmental and health impacts underscore the urgent need for cleaner alternatives. Bioenergy, with its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote rural development, and utilize locally available biomass resources, presents a promising pathway toward sustainability. |
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| ISSN: | 2956-9761 |