Tagebuch des fondamentaux de l'énergie renouvelable et des applications
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Ecological Impact of Renewable Resource-Based Energy Technologies

Karl-Heinz Kettl, Nora Niemetz, Nora Sandor, Michael Eder, and Michael Narodoslawsky

Renewable resource-based energy technologies are currently gaining a strong interest, particularly in the light of global climate change and volatile energy markets. A major argument for their use is their ecological advantage. The paper will compare the ecological impact of various biofuel technologies, technologies providing electricity and heat on the base of different resources, both biogenic and direct as well as indirect solar energy. Sustainable Process Index (SPI) is used to compare on the same level with an consistent methodology, a comprehensive and sensitive ecological measure addressing resource provision as well as emissions and global warming with a consistent methodology. The paper will analyze different aspects of the ecological impacts of energy technologies and biofuels. On the base of this analysis, conclusions will be drawn regarding the most important factors influencing the ecological performance as well as unresolved questions for a solid evaluation for these technologies.