Organisational challenges for local maize value chains in the biobased economy

Societal challenges drive an increased interest to transform our fossil resources based to a biobased economy, in which biomass is used for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials. Research aiming to enhance this biobased economy often focuses on the technical and techno-economic aspects of converting biomass into value-added biobased products, but fails to take into account non-technical aspects, such as the organizational challenges related to local biomass value chains. These organizational challenges originate from the unique characteristics of the biomass itself, and those of the economic agents involved in the value chain. In this dissertation, we therefore focused on the organizational aspects of local biomass value chains for new applications within the biobased economy. We used local maize value chains in Flanders as case-study. Our research integrated findings from qualitative research with simulation results from a quantitative dynamic modelling approach, being agent-based modelling. We demonstrated the importance of the local context in the trade of silage maize, and identified several organizational challenges that need to be addressed for the development of a corn stover value chain in Flanders. This allows us to formulate five practical recommendations for practitioners: (1) try to work with intermediaries when you are a new entrant into an already existing local biomass value chain; (2) retain an adequate level of flexibility; (3) make a well-considered choice about the organizational form of new value chains; (4) make sure all stakeholders are involved when developing new local biomass value chains for new applications in the biobased economy; and (5) pay special attention to create trust and enthusiasm for the new value chain amongst all stakeholders involved. In general, we advocate a value chain perspective when developing new local biomass value chains for the biobased economy

Analysis of Technological Innovation and Environmental Performance Improvement in Aviation Sector

The past oil crises have caused dramatic improvements in fuel efficiency in all industrial sectors. The aviation sector—aircraft manufacturers and airlines—has also made significant efforts to improve the fuel efficiency through more advanced jet engines, high-lift wing designs, and lighter airframe materials. However, the innovations in energy-saving aircraft technologies do not coincide with the oil crisis periods. The largest improvement in aircraft fuel efficiency took place in the 1960s while the high oil prices in the 1970s and on did not induce manufacturers or airlines to achieve a faster rate of innovation. In this paper, we employ a historical analysis to examine the socio-economic reasons behind the relatively slow technological innovation in aircraft fuel efficiency over the last 40 years. Based on the industry and passenger behaviors studied and prospects for alternative fuel options, this paper offers insights for the aviation sector to shift toward more sustainable technological options in the medium term. Second-generation biofuels could be the feasible option with a meaningful reduction in aviation’s lifecycle environmental impact if they can achieve sufficient economies of scale

Economic potentials of carnot batteries in 100% renewable energy systems

In 100% renewable energy systems, the requirements for flexibility will be greater than for traditional carbon-based energy systems. New technologies and system setups are needed to provide flexibility for balancing the system. Implementing electricity storages in the energy system could provide parts of the required flexible demand and production, though most of these storage solutions have been shown to have relatively high costs. So-called Carnot batteries have been shown to have a relatively lower cost than traditional batteries, but at a reduced electric efficiency. This paper investigates to what extent large-scale integration of Carnot batteries has a role in the transition to and the operation of 100% renewable energy systems. By implementing Carnot batteries in a 100% renewable energy scenario for Denmark, the energy system effects are identified. The results indicate that the potential economic benefit could be as high as 60.5–66.2 EUR/MWhe discharged, not including costs related to investment as well as operation and maintenance of the Carnot batteries. Thus, large-scale integration of Carnot batteries must perform below this economic threshold to be economic relevant. Existing concepts for stand-alone Carnot batteries are not able to achieve these costs today, therefore solutions for cost reductions should be investigated.</p

What to Expect from Sectoral Trading: A U.S.–China Example

Abstract and PDF report are also available on the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change website (http://globalchange.mit.edu/)In recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, sectoral mechanisms were proposed as a way to encourage early action and spur investment in low carbon technologies in developing countries, particularly in the electricity sector. Sectoral trading, which is one such proposition, involves including a sector from one or more nations in an international cap-and-trade system. In order to assess potential impacts from such a mechanism, we analyze trade in carbon permits between the Chinese electricity sector and a U.S. economy-wide cap-and-trade program using the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model. We find that this sectoral policy induces significant financial transfers between the two countries. In 2030, the U.S. purchases permits valued at $42 billion from China, which represents more than 46% of its capped emissions. Despite these transfers, there is only a small change in Chinese welfare. In the U.S., the availability of relatively cheap emissions permits significantly reduces the cost of climate policy. In China, sectoral trading increases the price of electricity and reduces the amount of electricity generated, particularly from coal, while opposite effects are observed in the U.S. Despite increases in the price of electricity in China, only small increases in electricity generation from nuclear and renewables are projected in the timeframe of our analysis (2010- 2030). Because the price of coal decree ses, we also find that sectoral trading leads to emissions increases in non-electricity sectors in China, a form of internal carbon leakage.This study received support from the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, which is funded by a consortium of government, industry and foundation sponsors

ASSESSING ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL IMPACTS OF NON EXPECTED WEATHER EVENTS ON FRENCH SUCKLER COW FARMS DYNAMICS: A DYNAMIC RECURSIVE FARM MODEL

Weather variability can threaten French suckler cow farms which rely on rather extensive forage production. However, flexibility of the production system can help farmer to face crop production shocks. This study aims at assessing how crop yield shocks impact on farms outcomes when adaptive capacity is taken into account. Our objectives are to develop a dynamic model which enables us 1) to predict the optimal mix of production adjustments to face crop yield shocks, 2) to quantify how far the system moves from the equilibrium and how long it takes to return and 3) to measure impact of shocks on economic results when adaptive capacity is taken into account. An original dynamic recursive bio-economic farm model integrating detailed technical and biological constraints and coupled with biological sub-models has been built and calibrated to represent an average farm producing charolais finished animals. Crop yield shocks of intensities ranging between -60% and +60% of their average values are simulated in between average years. A preference for maintaining animal sales and animal live weight at the expense of crop products trade balance is found. Thought, when intensities of shocks get higher, forced sales and important variations of the area of pasture cut are observed. Essential of loss (or gain) of net profit is felt the year of the shock but can be remnant for several years. In addition, gains for good years do not totally compensate loss of symmetric bad ones. Consequently, farms capacity to face risk could be weaken over time. Minimum consumption needs, probability distribution of shocks and successions or combinations of shocks would have thought to be taken into account to assess real capacity of farms to maintain over time.livestock farm model, dynamic recursive model, crop yield variability, Livestock Production/Industries,