journal article·2020-05-30Open access

Bioenergy on Islands: An Environmental Comparison of Continental Palm Oil vs. Local Waste Cooking Oil for Electricity Generation

Christian R. Parra, Adriana Corrêa-Guimarães, Luis Manuel Navas-Gracia, Ricardo A. Narváez C., Daniel Rivadeneira, Darío Rodríguez, Angel D. Ramirez

Applied Sciences· Volume 10· Issue 11

Abstract

Energy security on islands is a challenging issue due to their isolation from energy markets and fossil fuel dependence. In addition, islands’ average energy intensity has increased in recent years due to economic development. This research explores the environmental performance of two alternative non-variable bioelectricity feedstocks to increase energy resilience on islands. The study was developed for the Galápagos islands to address the environmental impacts from the direct use of waste cooking oil (WCO) and refined palm oil (RPO) to produce 1 MWh using the life cycle assessment methodological framework. A combination of primary and secondary data sources was used. The results show better performance for the electricity derived from WCO in all the impact categories considered when compared to RPO.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Energy and Environment Impacts · Advanced Battery Technologies Research · Environmental Impact and Sustainability

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Affiliations

Department of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, University of Valladolid, UVa, Campus Universitario de Palencia, Avenida de Madrid, 50, 34004 Palencia, Spain

Universidad Central del Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación e Ingeniería en Procesos Químicos, Quito EC170521, Ecuador

Instituto de Investigacion Geologico y Energetico IIGE, Quito EC170518, Ecuador

Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería en Mecánica y Ciencias de la Producción, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil EC090902, Ecuador

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