Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Thailand’s biomass pellet production were comprehensively assessed, with a specific focus on wood and corn pellets. Employing the extended input and output tables, the anticipated economic and environmental effects of the rising demand for biomass pellets within t...

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Main Authors: Prangvalai Buasan, Boonrod Sajjakulnukit, Thongchart Bowonthumrongchai, Shabbir H. Gheewala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5355
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author Prangvalai Buasan
Boonrod Sajjakulnukit
Thongchart Bowonthumrongchai
Shabbir H. Gheewala
author_facet Prangvalai Buasan
Boonrod Sajjakulnukit
Thongchart Bowonthumrongchai
Shabbir H. Gheewala
author_sort Prangvalai Buasan
collection DOAJ
description Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Thailand’s biomass pellet production were comprehensively assessed, with a specific focus on wood and corn pellets. Employing the extended input and output tables, the anticipated economic and environmental effects of the rising demand for biomass pellets within the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation region, which is projected to see an increase exceeding 33% by the year 2050, were investigated. The estimations of CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, which were conducted utilizing an open Leontief model based on the 2015 National Input–Output Tables, covered each stage of the production process. The results show that emissions from the production of corn pellets are expected to rise steadily, from 52.91 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e in 2022 to 75.77 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e by 2030, whereas emissions from wood pellet production are set to increase more substantially, from 210.30 to 301.18 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e within the same timeframe. Data derived from surveys and interviews with corn farmers and wood pellet manufacturers informed the lifecycle data for the biomass pellet supply chain from cradle to gate. The findings suggest that Thailand’s power sector could benefit significantly from the biomass potential in the northern part of Thailand, which boasts an estimated energy content of corncob at 39 ktoe (0.0016 TJ). Market demand scenarios were explored in two forms: one where it was assumed that all biomass pellets are to be exported to Japan and South Korea, expecting a combined demand of approximately 560,262 tons by 2030, and another positing that 10% of production will be reserved for the domestic market, with a forecasted annual increase of 10% from 2020 to 2050. This paper highlights the need to prioritize low-emission renewable energy sources, expand technologies with lower lifecycle emissions, optimize the biomass supply chain to enhance efficiency, and introduce sustainable energy practices. The detailed GHG emissions analysis provides critical insights for policy formulation, underscoring the importance of sustainable transitions in the context of increasing biomass demand.
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spelling doaj-art-463d30857f524619b3753e3ce270cd0c2025-08-20T02:13:16ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-10-011721535510.3390/en17215355Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet IndustryPrangvalai Buasan0Boonrod Sajjakulnukit1Thongchart Bowonthumrongchai2Shabbir H. Gheewala3The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandThe Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandFaculty of Economics, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, ThailandThe Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Thailand’s biomass pellet production were comprehensively assessed, with a specific focus on wood and corn pellets. Employing the extended input and output tables, the anticipated economic and environmental effects of the rising demand for biomass pellets within the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation region, which is projected to see an increase exceeding 33% by the year 2050, were investigated. The estimations of CO<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, which were conducted utilizing an open Leontief model based on the 2015 National Input–Output Tables, covered each stage of the production process. The results show that emissions from the production of corn pellets are expected to rise steadily, from 52.91 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e in 2022 to 75.77 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e by 2030, whereas emissions from wood pellet production are set to increase more substantially, from 210.30 to 301.18 MtCO<sub>2</sub>e within the same timeframe. Data derived from surveys and interviews with corn farmers and wood pellet manufacturers informed the lifecycle data for the biomass pellet supply chain from cradle to gate. The findings suggest that Thailand’s power sector could benefit significantly from the biomass potential in the northern part of Thailand, which boasts an estimated energy content of corncob at 39 ktoe (0.0016 TJ). Market demand scenarios were explored in two forms: one where it was assumed that all biomass pellets are to be exported to Japan and South Korea, expecting a combined demand of approximately 560,262 tons by 2030, and another positing that 10% of production will be reserved for the domestic market, with a forecasted annual increase of 10% from 2020 to 2050. This paper highlights the need to prioritize low-emission renewable energy sources, expand technologies with lower lifecycle emissions, optimize the biomass supply chain to enhance efficiency, and introduce sustainable energy practices. The detailed GHG emissions analysis provides critical insights for policy formulation, underscoring the importance of sustainable transitions in the context of increasing biomass demand.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5355biomass pelletsgreenhouse gas emissionslife cycleinput–output analysis
spellingShingle Prangvalai Buasan
Boonrod Sajjakulnukit
Thongchart Bowonthumrongchai
Shabbir H. Gheewala
Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
Energies
biomass pellets
greenhouse gas emissions
life cycle
input–output analysis
title Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
title_full Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
title_fullStr Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
title_full_unstemmed Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
title_short Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimation Using Extended Input–Output Tables for Thailand’s Biomass Pellet Industry
title_sort greenhouse gas emission estimation using extended input output tables for thailand s biomass pellet industry
topic biomass pellets
greenhouse gas emissions
life cycle
input–output analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5355
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AT boonrodsajjakulnukit greenhousegasemissionestimationusingextendedinputoutputtablesforthailandsbiomasspelletindustry
AT thongchartbowonthumrongchai greenhousegasemissionestimationusingextendedinputoutputtablesforthailandsbiomasspelletindustry
AT shabbirhgheewala greenhousegasemissionestimationusingextendedinputoutputtablesforthailandsbiomasspelletindustry