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Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 30618

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stelios Rozakis

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Guest Editor

Bioeconomy and Biosystems Economics Lab, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Interests: decision theory; policy analysis; operations research and mathematical modeling; agriculture; energy; environment; bioeconomy

Prof. Dr. Luka Juvančič

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Guest Editor

Chair for Agricultural Economics, Policy and Law, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: policy analysis; political economy; environmental resource economics and management; agriculture; forestry; bioeconomy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition to the bio-economy marks a new paradigm in the organization of business processes. By-products and residues are thus becoming raw materials in existing optimized or new processes. This transition is enabled by new knowledge and technologies for converting biomass into different products, interconnected in cascade and circular (in terms of energy and material) production cycles. Such an organization of business processes brings numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits. The constantly improving efficiency of biorefining techniques and the inclusion of the resulting platform chemicals for bio-based materials allow entry into new value chains (e.g., health, smart packaging) and the achievement of significantly higher added value than the current methods of biomass processing.

Producers of agricultural and forestry products also receive direct benefits (income, employment). This is due to an increase in demand for primary products, as well as an increase in the market value of side products and even organic waste, which are becoming a cost-efficient and technologically attractive raw material basis. Further benefits can be seen in manufacturing, where the transition to bio-based technologies represents a potential for adding value to products and better utilization of input materials.

The cascading use of biomass is the key principle of circular bioeconomy. It provides for the energy- and material-efficient use of biomass, as well as a larger number of transactions between economic entities. The multiplicative impact on the national economy is reflected in a greater accumulation of revenues (and consequently investments, income, as well as tax revenues), and in a larger employment. As bioeconomy clusters are most often located in rural areas, the growth of bioeconomy is also beneficial for the economic convergence between cities and rural areas. Furthermore, the bioeconomy contributes to the circular economy, as it promotes the sustainable and efficient exploitation of renewable resources in closed material and energy loops substituting for fossil-based products.

Environmentally sound, socially accepted, and cost-competitive processes are desirable. None of these three dimensions should be independently maximized, and optimal compromises should be sought instead. While technological aspects are exhaustively analyzed in the literature, studies focusing simultaneously on economic, social, and policy dimensions are scarce. Social sciences have substantially contributed to the debate on the bioeconomy transition model by revealing the necessity of sustainability and the crucial role of the regional dimension as well as by pointing out risks, synergies, and conflicts that relate to governance. Contributions presenting strong cases for success or dealing with reported weaknesses withstanding action, investigating the potential of bio-based sectors as drivers for rebooting economies are highly relevant to this Special Issue. The involvement of stakeholders in the absence of a supply chain, indicating promising biorefinery concepts and processes, delineating sustainable value chains, providing appropriate indicators and multi-criteria analyses, analyzing policy coherence, assessing impacts on rural development and quality of life, studying alternative business models in addition to technical or economic potential would be major subjects of study which this Special Issue can bring to the fore.

Assoc. Prof. Stelios Rozakis
Prof. Dr. Luka Juvančič
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Resilient bio-economy/bio-based sectors
Demand and consumption patterns
Value chain analysis
Bio-resource flows and environmental performance
Land use change
Innovations in transition to bio-economy
Sustainable circular business model
Clusters, networks, and industrial symbiosis
Energy/product-driven bio-refinery
Governance and policy coherence
Stakeholder involvement and social acceptance
Regional and rural development
Economic and social impact analysis.

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 190 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies

by Stelios Rozakis, Luka Juvančič and Barna Kovacs

Energies 2022, 15(8), 2958; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082958 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1726

Abstract

In the creation of this Special Issue, the editors identified circular bioeconomy, i [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

Research

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31 pages, 2708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contributions of Biomass Supply for Bioenergy in the Post-COVID-19 Recovery

by Biljana Kulisic, Bruno Gagnon, Jörg Schweinle, Sam Van Holsbeeck, Mark Brown, Jurica Simurina, Ioannis Dimitriou and Heather McDonald

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8415; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248415 - 13 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3104

Abstract

This research investigates how biomass supply chains (BSChs) for bioenergy within the broader bioeconomy could contribute to the post-COVID-19 recovery in three dimensions: boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and building more resilient and cleaner energy systems in four future scenarios, in the short term (by 2023) and long term (by 2030). A SWOT analysis on BSChs was used for generating a questionnaire for foresight by a two-round Delphi study. To interpret the results properly, a short survey and literature review is executed to record BSChs behavior during the pandemic. In total, 23 (55% response rate) and 28 (46% response rate) biomass experts from three continents participated in the Delphi and the short survey, respectively. The strongest impact from investment in BSChs would be on economic growth, followed by a contribution to the resilient and cleaner energy systems and job creation. The effects would be more visible in the long- than in the short-term period. Investments with the most impact on recovery are those that improve biomass material efficiency and circularity. Refurbishment of current policies to enhance the supply of biomass as a renewable resource to the future economy is a must. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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20 pages, 753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Industrial Revival in Untapping the Bioeconomy’s Potential in Central and Eastern Europe

by Marko Lovec and Luka Juvančič

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8405; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248405 - 13 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2910

Abstract

The bioeconomy occupies the centre of the Green Deal, the EU’s plan to support transformative growth following the COVID-19 episode. However, parts of the EU, such as countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) continue to lag behind in harnessing the potential held by the bioeconomy. This article argues that in CEE countries, where the primary and conventional bioeconomy sectors play a more important role, ‘early’ transition pathways such as improvements in productivity and practice- as well as commercialisation-oriented innovation (the do–use–interact model: DUI) are just as important as approaches based on (generally publicly supported) R&D, innovation adoption, and technology transfer (science–technology–innovation model: STI), typically associated with high-value bioindustrial applications. The argument is tested by conducting a survey of 352 experts in the region that gives an insight into the CEE macro-region’s assets with respect to deploying the bioeconomy’s potential and assessing the transition pathways relevant to the better performance of bioeconomy (primary, manufacturing, and other related) sectors. The results show the particular relevance of consolidating the primary and traditional sectors to support improvements in productivity based on the vertical and horizontal interaction typically associated with DUI, while the relevance of STI is mostly linked to advanced sectors, which are narrowly distributed across the region. The findings are relevant to policy given that the EU’s bioeconomy policy has thus far chiefly focused on STI support that better corresponds to the needs of countries at more advanced stages of developing the bioeconomy, but is less appropriate for the specific context and needs of CEE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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21 pages, 3354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Policy Impact on Regional Biogas Using a Modular Modeling Tool

by Stelios Rozakis, Andrea Bartoli, Jacek Dach, Anna Jędrejek, Alina Kowalczyk-Juśko, Łukasz Mamica, Patrycja Pochwatka, Rafał Pudelko and Kesheng Shu

Energies 2021, 14(13), 3738; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133738 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2360

Abstract

Biogas development is expected to contribute to the National Recovery and Resilience plan to overcome the COVID-19 shock. Estimation of the agricultural biogas potential in economic terms can contribute to refining policies inciting effective sector development. In this paper, we attempt to do so by modeling a biogas chain from dedicated crops and livestock waste. This was achieved by coupling farming models to the biogas industry in a partial equilibrium framework. This allows for a comprehensive investigation of alternative measures in technology, size, spatial distribution and land use change. The integrated model was implemented in Lubelskie for the previous policy (green certificates) and the current policy (auction market). In both cases, the bottom-up profit driven optimization resulted in approximately 40 MWel, which shows a robust economic potential more than four times the biogas sector’s actual capacity in the region, also providing the detailed structure of the sector. When focusing on the industry structure, both scenarios give similar results regarding 1–2 MWel plant size close to the observed situation. The model also suggests a large number of new facilities <250 kWel, twice as important under scenario 2, indicating that other conditions beyond economy profitability should be fulfilled for further sector development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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10 pages, 3024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Possibility of Disinfecting Surfaces Using Portable Foggers in the Era of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic

by Marek Ochowiak, Andżelika Krupińska, Sylwia Włodarczak, Magdalena Matuszak, Szymon Woziwodzki and Tomasz Szulc

Energies 2021, 14(7), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14072019 - 6 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3187

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in the need for increased surface disinfection. For this purpose, biocides, UV-C radiation, or ozonation can be used. The most commonly used are biocides that can be deposited on the surface with the use of various devices, including foggers. The disinfection efficiency is related to the size of the aerosol droplets formed and their distribution. This paper specifies the distribution of droplet diameters and mean droplet diameters obtained during the use of a commercial fogger. It was shown that the droplet diameters formed were mainly in the range of up to 30–40 μm. A ceramic filter allowed for a larger number of smaller droplets and a limitation in the number of droplets with larger diameters. The results are important in the context of fighting the virus in hard-to-reach places where battery devices can be used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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20 pages, 1084 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing the Bioeconomic Options of Transitioning to Solid Recovered Fuel: A Case Study of a Thermal Power Plant in Slovakia

by Lenka Štofová, Petra Szaryszová and Bohuslava Mihalčová

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061720 - 19 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

This paper deals with the state and perspectives of bioenergy development in the context of exploiting the potential of available natural resources. We analyse the economic benefits of transitioning to alternative biofuel within the research task in cooperation with the Vojany black coal power plant. Within the applied methodology, a non-parametric data envelopment analysis method was used to confirm the most economically efficient types of fuels used in the combustion process. The assumption of fuel efficiency was confirmed by testing fuel combustion combinations directly in the power plant. The transition to 100% combustion of solid recovered fuel creates the potential for sustainable production of the analysed power plant and compliance with the current emission values of basic pollutants and new stricter limits, which will be binding in the EU from August 2021. The proposed solutions were analysed by Monte Carlo simulation. An estimate of the economic results achieved by the power plant was simulated, assuming a complete transition to solid recovered fuel. The results of the study support the feasibility of creating a circular waste management market, with the Vojany black coal power plant as the largest user of solid recovered fuel in Slovakia and abroad. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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17 pages, 3479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Bioeconomy Potential at National vs. Regional Level Employing Input-Output Modeling

by Piotr Jurga, Efstratios Loizou and Stelios Rozakis

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061714 - 19 Mar 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2546

Abstract

The support of economic sectors that exploit natural bio-based resources in a particular region is an opportunity to benefit from local potentials in terms of sustainability, employment, output, and household income. Hence a relevant question emerges, namely, how can bioeconomy sectors be adequately supported? Within this context, another issue is whether the bioeconomy development strategy at a national level should be the same as that at a regional level. To address these issues, in the current study a comparison was made between the bioeconomy sectors at the country level based on the case study of Poland and one of the poorest regions in the European Union—the Lubelskie Region. A regional input–output model was built for the regional economy and compared with the national model. The bioeconomy-oriented regional input–output table was built by applying a hybrid regionalization method, combining non-survey techniques and a questionnaire survey that was carried out in companies of mixed bio-based sectors. Sectoral linkages, such as multipliers and elasticities, indicate notable differences among the bio-based sectors’ potentials of the regional and national economies. Therefore, a bioeconomy development strategy should be seen to differ at national and regional levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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17 pages, 2306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is the Alternative Energy Sector COVID-19 Resistant? Comparison with the Conventional Energy Sector: Markov-Switching Model Analysis of Stock Market Indices of Energy Companies

by Katarzyna Czech and Michał Wielechowski

Energies 2021, 14(4), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14040988 - 13 Feb 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3973

Abstract

The outbreak and rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the global financial markets, including the energy sector. Alternative energy belongs to the economy’s key sectors concerning environmental issues and seems to be a full-fledged alternative for fossil-based conventional energy. This paper aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the stock market indices related to the alternative and conventional energy sector. We use daily data on the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Global Alternative Energy Index, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) Energy Index, and self-developed Average-49 COVID-19 New Cases Index and Average-49 Stringency Index. The research covers the period January–October 2020. The average level of the MSCI Global Alternative Energy Index in COVID-19 year was more than a quarter higher than in 2019 while the MSCI ACWI Energy fell almost one-third in the same period. Based on the Markov-switching model, we show that both the MSCI Global Alternative Energy and the MSCI ACWI Energy are not significantly affected by the epidemic status. The analysed indices decline as the government anti-COVID-19 policy becomes more stringent, but the relationship is statistically significant only in the high-volatility regime. In comparison to the conventional energy index, we reveal that the alternative energy index stays most of its time in the low-volatility regime without being adversely and significantly affected by the COVID-19 related indicators. Our study shows that the alternative energy sector, represented by the MSCI Global Alternative Energy Index, seems to be more resistant to COVID-19 than the conventional energy sector. It might imply that the novel coronavirus pandemic has not depreciated but emphasised the growing concern about climate change and environmental pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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22 pages, 3347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To What Extent Is Manure Produced, Distributed, and Potentially Available for Bioenergy? A Step toward Stimulating Circular Bio-Economy in Poland

by Paria Sefeedpari, Rafał Pudełko, Anna Jędrejek, Małgorzata Kozak and Magdalena Borzęcka

Energies 2020, 13(23), 6266; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13236266 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2913

Abstract

Bioenergy production from animal waste can be a key driver to achieving bio-economy goals. Developing a bio-economy sector could help to create opportunities for a circular system where not only people and the planet will be benefited, but it will also provide economic profitability to farmers, especially in the post-Covid period. To this end, manure production, its nutrient content, and bioenergy potential were estimated, along with their spatial distribution in the Lubelskie province, Poland. Farm-level data were processed and aggregated at the municipality level. Material balance equations were used to calculate the theoretical potential of livestock manure and bioenergy for different use scenarios: (1) Baseline (BC): direct manure application to land, which was compared against (2) Anaerobic Digestion (AD): anaerobic digestion to biogas with digestate returned to the fields (3) AD + Separation (AD + Sep): mechanical separation followed by anaerobic digestion, and (4) Surplus + AD: surplus manure (after application to the fields) is sent to anaerobic digestion. Manure, biogas, electricity, and thermal energy production of the AD scenario were estimated to be 7.5 Mt y⁻¹, 378 Mm³ y⁻¹, 907 GW_e y⁻¹, and 997.8 GW_th y⁻¹, respectively. The scenario, including mechanical separation followed by anaerobic digestion (AD + Sep), contributed to avoiding emissions to the largest extent (1 Mt CO₂ eq), whereas AD outperformed the others in avoiding costs of fertilization. According to the estimated potential and the environmental cost-effectiveness of AD, new plants can be established that will recycle manure through bioenergy production, and, subsequently, the digestate can be applied as organic fertilizer, closing the nutrients cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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Review

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19 pages, 21806 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biotechnologies to Bridge the Schism in the Bioeconomy

by Jim Philp

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8393; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248393 - 13 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3506

Abstract

Schism is the new normal for the bioeconomy concept. Since its proliferation in governments, the concept has been adapted to fit national or regional exigencies. Earlier this century the knowledge-based bioeconomy (KBBE) in Europe was seen as a technical and knowledge fix in the evolving sustainability landscape. At the OECD, the concept was further honed by imagining a future where biotechnologies contribute significantly to economic growth and development. Countries started to make national bioeconomy strategies. Some countries have diverged and made the bioeconomy both much larger and more general, involving a wide variety of sectors, such as industry, energy, healthcare, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and fishing. Whatever the approach, what seems to be consistent is the need to reconcile environmental, social and economic sustainability. This paper attempts to establish one schism that could have ramifications for the future development of the bioeconomy. Some countries, including some of the largest economies but not exclusively so, are clearly following a biotechnology model, whereas others are clearly not. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, biotechnologies offer outstanding potential in healthcare, although this sector is by no means included in all bioeconomy strategies. The paper also attempts to clarify how biotechnologies can address the grand challenges and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The communities of scientists seem to have no difficulty with this, but citizens and governments find it more difficult. In fact, some biotechnologies are already well established, whereas others are emerging and more controversial. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioeconomy for Resilient Post-COVID Economies)

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