Implications of the biofuels policy mandate in Thailand on water: The case of bioethanol
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Author list: Gheewala S.H., Silalertruksa T., Nilsalab P., Mungkung R., Perret S.R., Chaiyawannakarn N.
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication year: 2013
Journal: Bioresource Technology (0960-8524)
Volume number: 150
Start page: 457
End page: 465
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0960-8524
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
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Abstract
The study assesses the implications of the bioethanol policy mandate in Thailand of producing 9M litre ethanol per day by 2021 on water use and water deprivation. The results reveal that water footprint (WF) of bioethanol varies between 1396 and 3105L water/L ethanol. Cassava ethanol has the highest WF followed by molasses and sugarcane ethanol, respectively. However, in terms of fresh water (especially irrigation water) consumption, molasses ethanol is highest with 699-1220L/L ethanol. To satisfy the government plan of bioethanol production in 2021, around 1625millionm3 of irrigation water/year will be additionally required, accounting for about 3% of the current active water storage of Thailand. Two important watersheds in the northeastern region of Thailand are found to be potentially facing serious water stress if water resources are not properly managed. Measures to reduce water footprint of bioethanol are recommended. ฉ 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords
Bioethanol, Water footprint, Water stress
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