Environmental Benefit Assessment of Biomass Power Generation Supply Chain: A Case of Substituting Coal with Straw in China

Straw substitution for coal in direct-fired power generation can significantly reduce pollutant emissions. However, there are numerous challenges to using straw in direct-burning power generation, and the question of benefits also looms large. In this study, an environmental benefit assessment model for the straw power supply chain was developed using the life cycle assessment method from an environmental emission cost perspective. Pollutant emissions and environmental benefits were analyzed for four straw power supply chain models under the assumptions of this study. The results indicates that the CO₂ in the straw power generation supply chain system mainly comes from the straw collection and transport stages, which account for 29% and 70%, respectively. The SO₂ and PM₁₀ emissions mainly originate from the power generation stage. The environmental benefits of substituting straw for coal-fired power generation range from 1,859,895.02 to 1,875,326.36 USD. Further sensitivity analysis suggests that fertilizer application rates and transport distance are negatively correlated with the system’s environmental benefit, whereas the adoption of advanced dust removal technologies, increases in the charge standards and improvements in energy efficiency are positively correlated. These results can promote the sustainable development of the biomass power generation industry.