## 2.5 Learning

2.5.1 Multiple choice questions

1. The production of a certain crop at a certain location has a maximal potential. Which factors do not limit or reduce the potential production of this crop?

A. Water or nutrient shortage.

B. Pests and diseases.

C. Radiation and crop characteristics.

D. Weeds and pollutants.

2. Phosphorus is a limited resource. Efforts are taken to:

A. Produce phosphorus with less energy.

B. Regain phosphorus from the soil.

C. Reuse phosphorus from human or animal waste.

D. Use phosphorus binding plants.

3. Second generation feedstocks generally contain more cellulose than starch. Therefore:

A. Second generation feedstocks have less competition with food.

B. Second generation feedstocks result in stronger end products.

C. Second generation feedstocks are more easily converted.

D. Second generation feedstocks can be cultivated with less fertilisers.

2.5.2 Assignment certification of sustainable biomass

(based on the NTA 8080 standard and Cramer criteria)

What is sustainable biomass? Is biomass produced in a sustainable way?

Check the criteria!

Sustainability Criteria:

1. Greenhouse gases. Considered over the entire chain, the use of biomass needs to result in a sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

2. Competition with food and local applications of biomass. The production of biomass for energy purposes may not endanger the food supply or other local applications.

3. Planet biodiversity. Biomass production may never harm protected or vulnerable biodiversity but –wherever possible– needs to strengthen the biodiversity.

4. People well-being. The production of biomass needs to contribute to the well-being of the employees and the local community.

5. Environment. In the production and processing of biomass, the quality of the soil, surface and ground water and air needs to be preserved, if not improved.

6. Profit/Prosperity. The production of biomass needs to contribute to the local economy.

A. Palm oil for biofuel

Obtained from the fruit (both the flesh and the kernel) of the oil palm tree, it contributes to the economic development of the producing countries and to the diets of millions of people around the world. Oil palms are highly efficient oil palm fruit and kernel producers, with each fruit containing about 50% oil. As a result they require ten times less land than other oil-producing crops. In fact palm oil can be found in a huge percentage of every day supermarket products. As a result they can be found in one in two supermarket products, ranging from margarine, cereals, crisps, sweets and baked goods, to soaps, washing powders and cosmetics. Nevertheless you may never have heard of palm oil since it’s rarely listed as an ingredient on product labels, with the term ‘vegetable oil’ often being used instead. Palm oil can also be used in animal feedstuffs and as a bio fuel.

Question:

Is palm oil a sustainable biomass?

Search the internet and check the 6 sustainability criteria to formulate your answer.

B. Verge grass (“bermgras”) for energy and/or materials

The dense infrastructure in The Netherlands consists of a variety of highways and roads with extensive verges that require wide-ranging yearly maintenance. Harvesting the vegetation is necessary to maintain short vegetation for traffic safety. The total area of verge grass in The Netherlands is approximately 50,000 ha. Some 20% of this grass is used as cattle feed. The remaining 80% is composted at high costs. These costs range from approximately 25 to 50 Euro per tonne fresh material. Depending on the vegetation type and time of year verge grass contains valuable proteins, sugars and minerals, and often more than 50% fibrous material weight (approx. 50% dry weight). A lot of effort is dedicated to produce materials and energy from verge grass.

Question:

Is verge grass a sustainable biomass?

Search the internet and check the 6 sustainability criteria to formulate your answer.

Answers MC questions described above:

1. C

2. C

3. A