Potential energy production from algae on marginal land in China
Abstract
This study is aimed to systematically estimate marginal land resources with different grades (total area; land with certain eco-environmental-economic feasibility; centralized reserve land) in China, and evaluate potential energy production from microalgae on marginal lands in the long-, mid- and near-term, based on a model. The annual potential energy production from algae in total marginal land of China (APEMC) was estimated to 4.19 billion standard coal equivalent (tce), far more than total annual energy consumption equivalent in China (TECCE) in 2007. For microalgae with 35% lipid content, the APEMC in the mid-term would be 37.6-65.8% of the TECCE in 2007. The corresponding annual CO(2) emission mitigation by replacement of fossil fuels by algal bioenergy would be 4.27-7.44 billiont. Although Southwest China provides the highest potential algae production in the long-term, Northwest China provides the highest value in the near-term.
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In China the use of prime land to produce bioenergy is not allowed, therefore wasteland and paddy lands (natural grassland, sparse forestland, scrubland and unused land), described as marginal lands, are used to grow energy crops.
“In China the use of prime land to produce bioenergy is not allowed, therefore wasteland and paddy lands (natural grassland, sparse forestland, scrubland and unused land), which are described as marginal lands are used to grow energy crops (Zhang et al., 2012).”
From Concepts of agricultural marginal lands and their utilisation: a review (2023) · cites this paper as Zhang et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Zhang, Q., Ma, J., Qiu, G., Li, L., Geng, S., Hasi, E., Li, C., Wang, G., & Li, X.
- Affiliations
- Peking University (CN)
- Beijing Normal University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Qiu, Guoyu
- Venue
- Bioresource Technology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-04
- Volume
- 109
- Pages
- 252-260
- ISSN
- 0960-8524 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1986441806
- Cited by
- 36
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Bioresource Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanics of Materials › Forest Biomass Utilization and Management
- Keywords
- microalgae, marginal land, land evaluation, biofuel potential, algal lipid content, CO2 emission reduction, fossil fuel substitution, China, Southwest China, Northwest China
- MeSH terms
- Agriculture, Ethanol, Carbon Dioxide, China, Conservation of Natural Resources, Energy-Generating Resources, Fossil Fuels, Models, Theoretical, Biomass, Microalgae
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