Bio-Energy and Its Sustainable Utilization

Dear Colleagues,

The use of energy from renewable sources is still a developing issue, although this process has been ongoing for many years. The desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on one hand, and the search for alternatives to fossil fuels on the other hand, means that using biomass as an energy source is entering the field as an additional source of energy. Generally, the use of biomass as an energy source not only results in a reduction in CO₂ emissions per capita but also increases GDP per capita. Hence, among other things, there has been an increase in the of agricultural resources for the production of biofuels or bio-components for motor fuels.

Another significant trend in the use of agricultural resources is their application to energy production. While in the previously mentioned area liquid bio-components are produced from agricultural resources, here solid biofuels play an important role, mainly consisting of residues from the agricultural and forestry industries, which serve as key components of solid energy fuels or are standalone fuels themselves. The issues related to these types of energy resources are broad, requiring not only qualitative assessment but also an assessment of their impact on the natural environment.

With such a significant increase in demand, the question arises: Will the increased use of agricultural and forestry resources negatively impact the natural environment and the functioning of ecosystems? A certain form of relief for the environment is the utilization of municipal waste for the production of electricity and heat. Despite arousing many emotions, this is a developing branch of energy production, allowing for the generation of substantial amounts of electricity and heat based on a resource that does not compete with food, does not deplete natural resources, and simultaneously provides benefits in the form of municipal waste disposal.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to the sustainable utilization of bio-resources including biomass, waste plastics, municipal waste, sewage sludge, etc.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, all aspects of bio-energy, biomass treatment, the production of biofuels using different conversion technologies, and the generation of heat and power from biofuels, as well as the following:

• Torrefaction;
• Pyrolysis;
• Gasification and reforming: bio-syngas generation;
• Bio-oil production;
• Biomethane production;
• Biohydrogen production;
• Biomass combustion and gasification;
• Biofuels from different nonfood energy crops;
• Current trends and new biofuels precursors;
• Minimization of pollutant emissions;
• Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

Dr. Marta Marczak-Grzesik
Guest Editor

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• torrefaction
• pyrolysis
• bio-oil production
• biohydrogen production
• bio-energy
• pollutant emissions