Descripción
Department of Biosystems and Technology PhD project: Sustainable utilisation of agricultural green biomass in integrated protein and biogas systems Subject area: Technology Description of the doctoral project A circular and fossil-independent bioeconomy requires renewable biomass without increasing competition for agricultural land and food production. Crop residues and intermediate crops are therefore particularly relevant resources. Research at SLU shows that these biomass resources can be substantial, but their potential and sustainable utilisation vary regionally. They can be used for biogas, while effects on soil carbon and nutrient cycling need to be considered. Green biomass can also be biorefined into plant protein for feed or food, after which the remaining streams are used for biogas. The same feedstock can thereby provide protein, energy and recycled nutrients. The project aims to assess the potential and consequences of large-scale utilisation of green crop residues and intermediate crops in integrated biogas and green biorefinery systems. The project will: assess sustainably available biomass from green crop residues and intermediate crops in Sweden; assess the potential for biogas and combined plant protein and biogas production; develop implementation scenarios based on feedstock availability, infrastructure, logistics and markets; assess effects on nutrient cycling, soil carbon, biomethane, fertilizer use, and feed and food production; and evaluate economic and wider socio-economic benefits, drawbacks and trade-offs. The project combines GIS and agricultural data with mass and nutrient balances, scenario modelling, and life cycle-based, techno-economic and socio-economic methods. Data will be drawn from research, statistics, literature and national databases. The doctoral student will join an interdisciplinary research environment at SLU Alnarp focusing on sustainable agricultural production, bioenergy, circular bioeconomy and systems analysis. About