Sustainability assessment of expanding renewable energy systems and bio-based manufacturing in the US economy
Creators: name: Bademi, Apoorva Suresh
Publisher: name: Purdue University Graduate School
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 401102
subject: Environmentally sustainable engineering
classificationCode: 401105
subject: Life cycle assessment and industrial ecology

description: There has been an increased urgency toward mitigating climate change in the past several years. Global warming is causing a climate crisis, affecting ecosystems' ability to reduce extreme events. There is a need for rapid decarbonization while still maintaining healthy economic growth and development. Several nations have adopted various policies and set goals to minimize the impact on human society and mitigate the effects of climate change. While this is a step in the right direction, the rate at which these policies are implemented needs to be accelerated to reach the decarbonization goals that have been set. The prime pillars of decarbonization include adopting renewable energy systems, increasing energy efficiency, industrial electrification, low carbon feedstock, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.There is a pressing need for technological improvements in these areas. Renewable energy sources are not only inexhaustible but also reduce the dependence on fossil-based feedstock and lower air pollution, decreasing the risk of climate change. One of the more significant challenges of adopting renewable energy is the upfront investment required to set up the necessary infrastructure. The first objective of this research is to provide well-researched information on the impacts of the planned renewable energy projects. This research evaluates the effects of expanding offshore wind energy and adopting biobased plastics within the U.S. economy. Using industrial ecology methods, including macroeconomic Input-Output models and Material Flow Analysis through Physical Input-Output Tables, this study assesses the broader economic and environmental impacts of these renewable solutions. A multiregional macroeconomic Input-Output (MRIO) model for the U.S. was developed using the U.S. Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratory, enhanced with a regional GHG emissions database. This enabled a spatial analysis of economic and emissions impacts from offshore wind energy expansion. Findings show an economic payback period similar to other renewables, with a notably short carbon payback period of less than 6 months. Another objective of this research emphasizes the need for and the effect of implementing circular economy opportunities to boost resource efficiency. It is explicitly designed around the manufacturing of bioplastics from agricultural residue that have the potential to combat the critical environmental issue of plastic pollution. This report elucidates the likely impact of manufacturing these materials on the economy and the environment. Process systems engineering models for polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics manufacturing were integrated into a national-scale Input-Output model to restructure the U.S. economic model for bioplastics expansion. Results show a potential emissions reduction of up to 35%. It also seeks to evaluate the impacts of replacing different types of plastic packaging with bio-based alternatives using PIOT Hub. This tool demonstrates the potential of replacing pharmaceutical packaging with agro-residue-based bioplastics, supporting a circular economy to mitigate environmental impacts in these sectors. This research highlights bio-based packaging's role in reducing pollution and promoting resource efficiency, showing both environmental and economic benefits of these sustainable materials.<br>