EU’s bioethanol potential from wheat straw and maize stover and the environmental footprint of residue-based bioethanol

To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the European Union (EU) has targets for utilizing energy from renewable sources. By 2030, a minimum of 3.5% in EU’s transport sector should come biological sources, such as crop residues. This paper analyzed “advanced bioethanol” potential wheat straw and maize stover evaluated its environmental (land, water, carbon) footprint. We differentiated between gross net bioethanol output, latter by subtracting inputs production. Results suggest that annual amount sustainably harvestable is 81.9 Megatonnes (Mt) at field moisture weight (65.3 Mt dry weight), yielding 470 PJ (404 net) advanced output. Calculated can replace 2.95% EU sector’s consumption. land footprint 0.28 m2 MJ−1 0.18 stover. The average water 173 L 113 carbon per unit 19.4 19.6 g CO2eq stover, respectively. Using lead to emission savings, but production insufficient achieve target share biofuels associated footprints are not smaller than conventional bioethanol.