Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 3.32 — strongly supporting 9 facts
Solar energy and bioenergy production are both identified as key components of a sustainable global energy transition {fact:5, fact:6}. They are frequently compared in terms of their land requirements {fact:1, fact:2, fact:7}, energy density {fact:1, fact:8}, and environmental impacts such as CO2 payback periods [1] and land use change emissions [2].
Facts (9)
Sources
The potential land requirements and related land use change ... nature.com 7 facts
claimBioenergy allows for trade over large distances, similar to fossil fuels, whereas electricity from solar energy does not.
claimIn the case of solar energy, land competition is often expected to be negligible due to its higher relative energy density compared to bioenergy and the potential for integration into urban areas or non-productive land, leading to its current exclusion from official statistical reporting and integrated assessment models.
measurementThe energy density of solar energy is approximately one magnitude higher than the energy density of bioenergy.
measurementLand requirements for reaching specific levels of electricity penetration using solar energy are approximately one magnitude lower than the land requirements needed to meet those same levels using bioenergy.
claimThe study assumes that solar energy in urban areas, deserts, and dry scrublands, as well as bioenergy derived from waste or agricultural and forestry residue, do not contribute to land use change (LUC) emissions or carbon sequestration.
claimThe higher land requirements for bioenergy more than offset the lower land use change (LUC) emissions per square meter found in most cases when compared to solar energy.
measurementThe CO2 payback period for bioenergy is approximately 4 years, while the CO2 payback period for solar energy is less than 8 months.
Sustainable Energy Transition for Renewable and Low Carbon Grid ... frontiersin.org 2 facts
claimA sustainable global electricity transition involves increasing the use of wind and solar energy, nuclear energy, bioenergy, waste-to-energy conversion, hydrogen fuel, and energy efficiency, while electrifying transport and industrial thermal processes and shifting from coal and petroleum to natural gas.
claimMoriarty and Honnery (2019) assert that solar energy, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal will play a leading role in the global energy transition away from a century of fossil fuel dominance.