Biogas from Marine Macroalgae: a New Environmental Technology — Life Cycle Inventory for a Further LCA

The main goal of this paper is to analyze the innovative process of production of biogas (via fermentation processes) using marine macroalgae as feedstock in a pilot project plant in Augusta (Sicily, Italy). Algae, during their growth, have the capacity to assimilate nutrients and thus subsequent harvesting of the algal biomass recovers the nutrients from biowaste sources giving the possibility to transform negative environmental externalities in positive mainly in terms of eutrophication and climate change impact categories.

The paper presents a novel environmental technology for the production of biogas and 2^nd generation biofuel (liquid biomethane) after an upgrading process through the use of a cryogenic technology. The paper would also like to make the first attempt at understanding the possibility to implement this innovative technology in the Latvian context.

The first calculations and assumptions for the Life Cycle Inventory for a further Life Cycle Assessment are presented.