GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION POTENTIAL OF BIOFUELS FROM SWEET SORGHUM

This paper analyses the potential of sweet sorghum used for biofuel production to save greenhouse gas emissions. Four different production concepts for ethanol and biomethane from sweet sorghum are investigated. In each concept the sweet sorghum type, the plant part used for biofuel production, the fermentation process and the type and amount of produced products were varied. The production and use of ethanol and biomethane from sweet sorghum is compared to fossil natural gas and gasoline and other biofuels. The greenhouse gas emissions are calculated according to the methodology provided by the Renewable Energy Directive including the total life cycle: sweet sorghum cultivation and harvesting, transportation, storage and production of ethanol and biomethane, distribution and the use of the biofuels. The data basis for the calculation is obtained from production trials, laboratory tests and simulations. The results show that under good cultivation conditions three out of four investigated concepts attain a GHG emission saving (>= 60%) required by the Renewable Energy Directive in 2018.