Overordnede kursusmål
The overall objective of the course is to provide the students with
a balanced ability to evaluate potential benefits and drawbacks
associated with the use of bioresources for various needs in
society. Bioresources are natural organic materials (i.e. materials
derived from living things) which may be used in society for
multiple purposes: to produce feed for animals, food for humans,
feedstock (e.g. timber, pulp, biomaterials) as well as energy.
However, the supply and management of bioresources can result in
significant environmental impacts, primarily because of the demand
for arable land and forest products leads to enormous pressures on
the natural environment, ultimately incurring losses of natural
biomes such as natural forest. Additional impacts derive from the
management of these bioresources in society, for example in
relation to processing, transport, and handling of the biomass
residuals. With focus on the environment, the course provides an
overview of bioresource characteristics and potential uses,
highlighting potential competition and the connection with land-use
change impacts. Further, the course applies accounting of
greenhouse gases (GHG) as a tool to assess the climate impacts from
the entire bioresource life-cycle.
Læringsmål
En studerende, der fuldt ud har opfyldt kursets mål, vil kunne:
- Identify key definitions and terminology in relation to
bioresources
- Explain how bioresources are generated in nature (stocks,
growth, C, N flows)
- Utilize the main characteristics of bioresources (e.g.
availability, composition, uses, typical flows in society) to
identify management and utilization options for bioresources
- Identify critical environmental consequences associated with
utilization of bioresources
- Quantify environmental implications related to land-use
changes, particularly carbon emissions
- Explain basic principles of carbon footprinting/greenhouse gas
accounting applied to bioresources
- Compare climate impacts from selected bioresource conversion
pathways by applying GHG accounting, including land-use change
impacts
- Explain ecosystem services and key types of indicators in
relation to bioresources (e.g. biodiversity)
- Assess different uses of specific bioresources in society based
on their characteristics, availability, related impacts and GHG
accounting
Kursusindhold
The course consists of 11 modules of lectures, each providing
theoretical background and methodological tools for consistent
assessment of bioresources:
1. Bioresources: concepts, terminology, relevant legislation
2. Biomass characterization
3. Biomass synthesis
4. Biomass industry and alternative uses
5. Biomass conversion to useful products
6. Residue application on land
7. Land use changes
8. GHG accounting
9. Ecosystem services and functions
10. Other impacts related to biomass utilisation
11. Industry and commercial perspective
The tools gained throughout the course are in groups applied in an
assessment addressing a specific bioresource, which is assigned at
the beginning of the course.
Litteraturhenvisninger
Lecture slides, scientific articles, notes
Bemærkninger
Please contact the teacher for information on whether this course
gives the student the opportunity to prepare a project that may
participate in DTU´s Study Conference on sustainability, climate
technology, and the environment (GRØN DYST). More info
http://www.groendyst.dtu.dk/englishSidst opdateret
15. september, 2023
