From fields to fuel: analyzing the global economic and emissions potential of agricultural pellets, informed by a case study

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Autori principali: Nosenzo, Sebastian G., Kelman, Rafael
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Nosenzo, Sebastian G.
Kelman, Rafael
author_facet Nosenzo, Sebastian G.
Kelman, Rafael
contents Agricultural residues represent a vast, underutilized resource for renewable energy. This study combines empirical analysis from 179 countries with a case study of a pelletization facility to evaluate the global potential of agricultural pelletization for fossil fuel replacement. The findings estimate a technical availability of 1.44 billion tons of crop residues suitable for pellet production, translating to a 4.5% potential displacement of global fossil fuel energy use, equating to 22 million TJ and equivalent to 917 million tons of coal annually. The economically optimized scenario projects annual savings of $163 billion and a reduction of 1.35 billion tons of CO2 equivalent in emissions. Utilizing the custom-developed CLASP-P and RECOP models, the study further demonstrates that agricultural pellets can achieve competitive pricing against conventional fossil fuels in many markets. Despite logistical and policy challenges, agricultural pelletization emerges as a scalable, market-driven pathway to support global decarbonization goals while fostering rural economic development. These results reinforce the need for targeted investment, technological advancement, and supportive policy to unlock the full potential of agricultural pellets in the renewable energy mix.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_12457
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle From fields to fuel: analyzing the global economic and emissions potential of agricultural pellets, informed by a case study
Nosenzo, Sebastian G.
Kelman, Rafael
General Economics
Economics
Agricultural residues represent a vast, underutilized resource for renewable energy. This study combines empirical analysis from 179 countries with a case study of a pelletization facility to evaluate the global potential of agricultural pelletization for fossil fuel replacement. The findings estimate a technical availability of 1.44 billion tons of crop residues suitable for pellet production, translating to a 4.5% potential displacement of global fossil fuel energy use, equating to 22 million TJ and equivalent to 917 million tons of coal annually. The economically optimized scenario projects annual savings of $163 billion and a reduction of 1.35 billion tons of CO2 equivalent in emissions. Utilizing the custom-developed CLASP-P and RECOP models, the study further demonstrates that agricultural pellets can achieve competitive pricing against conventional fossil fuels in many markets. Despite logistical and policy challenges, agricultural pelletization emerges as a scalable, market-driven pathway to support global decarbonization goals while fostering rural economic development. These results reinforce the need for targeted investment, technological advancement, and supportive policy to unlock the full potential of agricultural pellets in the renewable energy mix.
title From fields to fuel: analyzing the global economic and emissions potential of agricultural pellets, informed by a case study
topic General Economics
Economics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.12457