Decentralized renewable energy procurement has gained traction in recent years for its potential to alleviate rural energy poverty and environmental degradation in developing countries. Hence, this study investigates if deploying renewable energy can mitigate rural energy poverty in developing countries as often claimed. Because any energy regime cannot be initiated or sustained without the conviction of local political leaders, the study also evaluates the extent to which government investments in the development of renewable energy technologies and the energy sector, affect the environmental quality (i.e. greenhouse gas emissions) of developing countries. Energetic theory and environmental inequality constitute the key conceptual premises guiding this study. Ordinary least squares regression is utilized to analyze the relationship between key variables. The results reveal that as of 2010, use of renewable energy can indeed support rural electrification. Higher GNI per capita and use of conventional fuels are also positively related to rural electrification, all else equal. As for environmental degradation in 2005 and 2008, R&D investments actually tend to increase GHG emissions; procuring energy from either renewable or non-renewable sources is however, found to be environmentally detrimental, net of all other variables. Finally, some evidence is found for the role of aid funds and multilateral debt in abating GHG emissions.

Reservatórios de usinas hidrelétricas instalados em regiões tropicais podem representar contribuição significativa para as emissões de gases efeito estufa (GEEs) para a atmosfera. Neste contexto, é relevante desenvolver métodos para avaliação da emissão de CH4 e CO2 causada pela instalação desses empreendimentos hidrelétricos. A UHE Belo Monte no Rio Xingu (leste da Amazônia) é a terceira maior usina hidrelétrica em potencial de geração de energia do mundo. A estimativa das emissões de GEEs associadas à UHE Belo Monte é exemplo de alta relevância que pode servir de base para futuros empreendimentos previstos para serem construídos na região amazônica. Neste estudo, foram realizados experimentos de incubação de solos e de inundação de testemunho de solos das áreas dos reservatórios da UHE Belo Monte. Estes experimentos auxiliaram na compreensão da resposta do fluxo de CH4 e CO2 tanto na resolução vertical (e.g. profundidade), quanto na resolução horizontal (e.g. contexto fisiográfico). Os resultados demonstraram alta produção de CH4 e CO2 na camada superior (10 cm), a qual apresenta conteúdo orgânico mais elevado. O solo de floresta de igapó apresentou a maior taxa potencial de produção de CH4 (15,59 nmol CH4 g-1 h-1), enquanto que o solo de pasto apresentou a maior taxa de produção de CO2 (34,96 nmol CO2 g-1 h-1). As emissões médias de CH4 e CO2 para os reservatórios da UHE Belo Monte foram, respectivamente, iguais a 54 ± 60 mmol CH4 m-2d-1 e 330 ± 149 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1. Esses resultados indicam incremento no fluxo de CH4 e CO2 em relação ao fluxo natural destes gases no Rio Xingu medido antes da instalação da UHE Belo Monte. Isto permite computar as emissões de CH4 e CO2 na energia gerada para a avaliação do custo-benefício do empreendimento hidrelétrico, em termos de emissões de CH4 e CO2 para a atmosfera. Além disso, foram realizadas projeções de emissões de carbono ao longo de 100 anos de operação da UHE Belo Monte e a elaboração de modelo do balanço de massa de carbono (\"C budget\") para os reservatórios da UHE Belo Monte. Estimou-se que o impacto em emissões líquidas do empreendimento ocasionaria emissões entre 2,3 e 15,1 Tg C para o período de 100 anos. Dessa forma, espera-se que este estudo sirva de base para avaliar casos análogos, já que o plano de expansão da matriz energética brasileira considera a instalação de outras usinas hidrelétricas em rios do leste amazônico / Hydroelectric reservoirs installed in tropical regions can represent a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to the atmosphere. In this context, it is relevant to develop methods to evaluate CH4 and CO2 emissions caused by the installation of hydroelectric reservoirs. The Belo Monte hydroelectric plant in Xingu River (eastern Amazon) is the third largest hydroelectric plant in the world in terms of installed capacity and is an example of high relevance that can serve as a study case to evaluate future hydroelectric projects planned to be built in the Amazon region. In this study, soil incubation and soil flooding experiments using samples from the Belo Monte reservoir areas were performed to understand the response of the CH4 and CO2 fluxes under impounding of the Xingu River, considering both vertical (e.g. depth) and horizontal resolution (e.g. physiographic context). The results showed a high production of CH4 and CO2 in the top layer (10 cm) of soils, due to higher organic content. The igapó forest soil presented the highest potential production rate of CH4 (15.59 nmol CH4 g -1 h -1), while pasture soil presented the highest CO2 production rate (34.96 nmol CO2 g -1 h-1). The mean fluxes of CH4 and CO2 from Belo Monte reservoirs were respectively 54.05 ± 60.73 mmol CH4 m-2 d-1 and 330.76 ± 149.83 mmol CO2 m-2 d-1. These results indicate significant increase in the CH4 and CO2 fluxes compared to the natural fluxes of CH4 and CO2 from the Xingu River before damming for construction of the Belo Monte reservoirs. This allows to calculate GHGs emissions associated with the energy generated by the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant in the first years of operation and its cost-benefit evaluation in terms of carbon emissions. In addition, carbon emission projections for the next 100 years were carried out and a model for carbon mass balance (CH4 and CO2 budget) was elaborated for the Belo Monte reservoirs. It was estimated that the net emissions of the Belo Monte reservoirs would vary from 2.3 to 15.1 Tg C for a period of 100 years. Thus, this study is expected to serve as a basis to evaluate similar cases, as the plan of expansion of Brazilian energy plans matrix considers the installation of other hydroelectric plants in rivers of eastern Amazon.

A Contribuição Nacional Pretendida, apresentada pelo Governo Brasileiro na 21ª Conferência das Partes, em Paris 2015, definiu o compromisso nacional de redução de emissão de gases de efeito estufa (GEE) frente aos demais países que compõem a Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudanças Climáticas. Para que este compromisso seja cumprido, medidas de desenvolvimento de baixo carbono devem ser adotadas. Cenários quantitativos de emissão de GEE podem antecipar as estimativas que serão apresentadas nos inventários futuros de GEE. Os cenários quantitativos podem também auxiliar o governo brasileiro a cumprir as determinações do Decreto da Presidência da República no 7.390/10 e da Decisão 2/CP.17 da Convenção do Clima para elaborar, respectivamente, estimativas anuais e bianuais de emissão de GEE. Além disso, os cenários ainda podem reduzir a incerteza do inventário nacional e podem auxiliar na identificação das alternativas de baixo carbono. As projeções de crescimento populacional, de variação da taxa coleta de resíduo, de variação da composição do resíduo coletado e de qualidade de operação dos locais de disposição permitem definir um futuro único, em que serão comparadas as consequências das opções, disponíveis em 2016, de tratamento do resíduo. Para as avaliações, foram estimadas as variações da composição, do poder calorífico e das frações fóssil e orgânica do resíduo urbano. Os prazos e metas considerados no estudo são inspirados nas políticas Nacional e Estadual do Estado de São Paulo sobre Mudanças Climáticas e no Plano Nacional de Resíduo Sólido. Implantações de opções com início em 2016, evoluindo até 30% em 2040 foram simuladas. A coleta e combustão do biogás de aterro, que até 2000 não era praticada no país, hoje é uma realidade. Por essa razão, admite-se a possibilidade da implantação desta opção em todos os locais de disposição de resíduos da Macrometrópole Paulista. Este estudo mostra que, no setor de resíduos, a recuperação e uso energético do metano, associada à reciclagem e tratamento da matéria orgânica de parte dos resíduo coletados pode levar à redução de emissão superior a 45% em relação à observada em 2005. Mostra também que a incineração de material plástico pode ocasionar aumento de mais de 80% em relação à emissão em 2005. / The Proposed National Contribution presented by the Brazilian Government at the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris 2015 defined the national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) with other countries of the United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change (UNFCCC). To fulfill this commitment, policies have to be adopted. Quantitative GHG emission scenarios can anticipate estimates for future inventories of those gases. Scenarios can help the Government to comply with the Decree 7.390/10 and Decision 2 / CP.17 to prepare annual and bi-annual GHG emission estimates. Scenarios can also reduce the uncertainty of the national inventory and may assist in identifying low carbon alternatives. The projection of population growth, the changes on waste collection rate, the differences of collected waste composition of and the variation of operational quality of disposal sites allows to define a single future, in which the consequences of the available options for waste management in 2016 can be compared. Waste composition, lower calorific value and organic and fossil fraction in urban waste were estimated. Deadlines and targets considered in this study were inspired on National Solid Waste Act and São Paulo State policies on Climate Change. Waste treatment options, starting in 2016, raising to 30% in 2040 were simulated. The collection and combustion of landfill biogas, which until 2000 were not common in the country, are now a reality. The possibility of implementing this option in all the Macrometropole Paulista disposal sites is assumed. This study shows that, in the waste sector, recovery and the energetic use of methane, associated with recycling and treatment of organic matter from part of the collected solid waste can reduce emission over 45% in relation to the 2005 observed emission. This study also shows that incineration of plastics can increase emission over 80% as compared to that observed in 2005.

Em um período de mudanças climáticas e restrições a emissões cada vez maiores, é importante focar o desenvolvimento das nações na direção de uma economia de baixo carbono. O elevado consumo de combustíveis fósseis gera danos que atingem escalas globais, regionais e locais e põem em risco o suprimento de longo prazo no planeta. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o desempenho dos principais setores industriais brasileiros considerando seus respectivos consumos energéticos e contribuições para aspectos sociais e econômicos do país. Além disso, busca-se mensurar os benefícios ambientais, no que diz respeito à emissão de CO2, resultante da alteração de energéticos nos setores industriais de menor desempenho e discutir políticas públicas que visam estimular a utilização de fontes de energia mais limpas. Para atingir o objetivo proposto, foi realizada a análise e quantificação da potencial contribuição ambiental que a alteração da matriz energética dos setores com menor desempenho em relação à sua contribuição para o desenvolvimento sustentável, pode fornecer. Para determinar o desempenho dos setores foi utilizada a Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). Os resultados deste estudo indicaram que o setor metalúrgico e o setor de não metálicos são os que possuem o menor desempenho, considerando as variáveis selecionadas. Já para medir as emissões de CO2 dos principais combustíveis utilizados nos setores de menor desempenho foi utilizado o método Top-Down proposto pelo IPCC. A análise indicou que, apesar do carvão vegetal ser o segundo emissor de CO2, ele pode contribuir para a redução do aquecimento global, desde que seja proveniente de mata de reflorestamento destinada para a atividade industrial. Por fim, foi realizada uma breve discussão sobre as políticas públicas voltadas a este energético. / In a period of climate change and of an increasingly restriction of emissions, it is pivotal to focus on a development by countries towards an economy revolved on low carbon dioxide levels. The high consumption of fossil fuels results in damages on a global, regional and local level threatening long-term supply in our planet. This work has as its objective to analyze the performance of the main Brazilian industrial sectors considering their energy consumption and contributions to social and economic aspects of the country. In addition, will be measure the environmental benefits, in terms of CO2 emissions, resulting from fuel substitution in the industrial sectors of lower performance and discuss public policies aimed at stimulating the use of cleaner energy sources. So as to achieve this objective, an analysis and measurement assertion of the potential environmental contribution that a change of the energy matrix, of the sectors with lower performance as regards to its contribution to sustainable development of the country, may provide was performed. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to determine the efficiency of the sectors. The results of this study indicated that the metallurgical and nonmetallic sectors are the ones that have the lowest performance industrial in terms of sustainable. For the measurement of CO2 emissions for each major fuel used in the sectors with lower performance, the Top-Down method proposed by the IPCC was used. This analysis indicated that, although charcoal is the second fuel in sectors that emit more CO2, it can contribute to the reduction of global warming since it comes from forest reforestation destined for the activity industrial. Finally, a brief discussion about public policies on this fuel was held.

Les tourbières représentent 2 à 3% des terres émergées et stockent entre 10 et 25% du carbone des sols. Les tourbières sont soumises à des contraintes anthropiques et climatiques importantes qui posent la question de la pérennité de leur fonctionnement en puits de C et de leur stock. Une meilleure compréhension de ces écosystèmes est nécessaire pour déterminer les facteurs et les effets et interactions de ces facteurs sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES). Ce travail a consisté à suivre les émissions de GES et les facteurs contrôlant dans La tourbière de La Guette (Sologne) pour établir son bilan de C. En parallèle des expérimentations sur l’effet de l’hydrologie sur les flux ont été menées, enfin un suivi sur 4 sites a été réalisé pour étudier la variabilité à l’échelle journalière. Les résultats de ces travaux montrent que la tourbière de La Guette a fonctionné en source de C (-220 ± 33 gC m-2 an-1) et ce malgré un niveau de nappe élevé. Ils montrent également l’importance de la variabilité spatiale des flux estimés à l’échelle d’un site. Les expérimentations confirment l’importance de l’hydrologie et suggèrent à haut niveau de nappe d’eau des phénomènes liés au transport des gaz. Enfin l’étude de la variabilité journalière montre que la sensibilité de la respiration à la température peut être différente le jour et la nuit et que la synchronisation entre les températures du sol et la respiration peuvent améliorer la représentation de cette dernière. / Peatlands cover only 2 to 3% of the land area but store between 10 and 25% of the soil carbon. The outcome of the anthropic and climatic pressure on these ecosystems is uncertain regarding their functions and storage. A better understanding of these ecosystems is needed to determine the factors and their interactions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. This work consist in monitoring GHG emissions and controlling factors in a Sphagnum peatland to estimate its carbon balance. Experimentation on mesocosms were carried out to explore the effect of hydrology on the fluxes and a monitoring on 4 sites was made to study the daily variability. Results show that La Guette peatland was a carbon source (-220 ± 33 gC m-2 an-1) in spite of the high water table level. The importance of the spatial variability measured in the site was also demonstrate. The hydrology effect was confirmed by the mesocosms experiments and high water table level shows that gas transport might have an effect. Finally the study of the daily variability show that the temperature sensitivity of the respiration might be different between day and night and that synchronizing soil temperatures and respiration can improve the respiration representation.

Purpose: The global concrete consumption amounts to 25 gigatons annually, making it the most widely used building material (Petek Gursel, et al. 2014). The continued increasing world population in connection with urbanization will lead to a greater demand for cement. The problem with the increased manufacturing process of cement is that carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 will account for 10-15 % of global CO2 emissions, compared with the values measured in 2016, which only reached 5-8 % (Habert & Ouellet-Plamondon, 2016). The aim of the thesis is to analyse stages in the manufacturing process of prefabricated concrete from an environmental point of view with consideration to CO2 emissions. This will later result in providing concrete improvement measures or alternatively only provide useful knowledge for the concrete industry’s future. The stages that will be analysed are transport, concrete, rebar (reinforcement) and cellular plastic production. Method: The methods chosen for the implementation of the thesis were Literature Studies and Interviews. The purpose of the literature study was to educate the authors on the subject and collect various results from current research. The interviews contributed to the necessary information to be able to carry out the analyses at work. Findings: The thesis has resulted in a total amount of CO2eq emissions in four different stages in the concrete manufacturing process. Cement proved to be the biggest contributing factor to CO2eq emissions. There are several different measures to reduce CO2eq emissions in the concrete manufacturing process. The measures discussed the most frequently concern the cement production, which is favourable for the concrete production as a whole. The discussion also highlights measures taken in action at a concrete factory level. Implications: This study shows that cement accounts for the majority of the total CO2 emissions for concrete production. Therefore, much focus placed on improving the cement production with consideration to CO2 emissions is necessary. This does not mean that less focus should aim on research for green transport, insulation production and steelmaking. All productions stages have potential for improvement. Hence, it is important to continue the research to reduce the total CO2 emissions in the production of prefabricated concrete elements. Limitations: The study was limited to the manufacturing process of prefabricated concrete. A specific project HUS F was analysed for CO2 emissions in four production stages; concrete, reinforcement, insulation materials and transport. / Syfte: Den globala betongkonsumtionen uppgår årligen till 25 gigaton vilket gör den till det mest använda byggnadsmaterialet (Petek, Masanet, Horvath & Stadel, 2014). Den fortsatt ökande världspopulationen i samband med urbaniseringen kommer att leda till en större efterfrågan av cement. Problemet med den ökade tillverkningsprocessen av cement är att koldioxidutsläppen år 2020 kommer att stå för 10-15 % av de globala CO2-utsläppen, jämfört med värdena uppmätta år 2016 på cirka 5–8 % (Habert & Ouellet-Plamondon, 2016). Målet med examensarbetet är att analysera skeden i tillverkningsprocessen av prefabricerad betong ur miljösynpunkt med avseende på CO2-utsläpp för att sedan kunna komma med konkreta förbättringsåtgärder alternativt enbart bidra med nyttig kunskap för betongindustrins framtid. Skedena som analyseras är transporter samt betong-, armering- och cellplasttillverkning. Metod: Metoderna som valdes för genomförandet av examensarbetet var Litteraturstudie samt Intervju. Litteraturstudien gjordes i syfte att fördjupa författarna i ämnet samt insamling av diverse resultat från aktuell forskning. Intervjuerna som genomfördes bidrog till nödvändig information för att kunna genomföra analyserna i arbetet. Resultat: Examensarbetet har resulterat i totala CO2-utsläpp i fyra olika skeden i betongtillverkningsprocessen. Cement visade sig vara den absolut största bidragande faktorn till CO2-utsläpp. Det finns flera olika åtgärder för att minska CO2-utsläppet i betongtillverkningsprocessen. De åtgärder som diskuteras flitigast berör cementtilllverkningen vilket är gynnsamt för betongtillverkningen som helhet. Diskussionen framhäver även åtgärder som kan vidtas på en betongfabriks nivå. Konsekvenser: Det konstaterades i denna studie att cement står för majoriteten av det totala CO2-utsläppet i betongproduktionen. Därför bör mycket fokus läggas vid förbättring av cementtillverkningsprocessen med avseende på CO2-utsläpp. Detta innebär inte att mindre fokus skall läggas vid forskning för miljövänligare transport, isolering- och stålproduktion. Samtliga områden bör förbättras och potential finns definitivt att hämta vid alla produktionsskeden. Begränsningar: Studien avgränsades till tillverkningsprocessen av prefabricerad betong. Ett specifikt projekt HUS F analyserades med avseende på CO2-utsläpp i fyra tillverkningsskeden; betong, armering, cellplast samt transport.

Today’s carbon constrained world with its increasing demand for cheap energy and a fossil fuel intensive fleet of power producers is making carbon capture and storage (CCS) desirable. Several CCS technologies are under investigation by various research and development groups globally. One of the more promising technologies is oxy-fuel combustion, since it produces a CO2 rich flue gas which requires minor processing to meet storage condition requirements. In this study the economics of an advanced super critical oxy-coal power plant burning lignite, simulated in-house was assessed. A robust and user-friendly financial tool box has been developed with commonly acceptable default parameter settings. Capital, operation and maintenance costs were estimated along with corresponding levelized cost of electricity and CO2 avoidance costs calculated using the detailed financial model developed. A levelized cost of electricity of 131 $/MWhrnet along with a levelized CO2 avoidance cost of 64 $/tonne was estimated for an ASC oxy-coal power plant with CO2 capture. Also a levelized cost of electricity of 83 $/MWhrnet was estimated for an ASC air-fired coal power plant without CO2 capture capabilities as the base plant. The price of electricity was observed to increase from 83 $/MWhrnet to 131 $/MWhrnet translating into a 57% increase. The sensitivity of the overall economics of the process was assessed to several parameters. The overall economics was found sensitive to the choice chemical engineering plant cost index (CEPCI), capacity factor, size of power plant, debt ratio, fuel price, interest rate, and construction duration.

L'augmentation de l'intérêt concernant la part des réservoirs hydroélectrique dans l'augmentation de la concentration atmosphérique des Gaz à Effet de Serre (GES) a amené à mesurer les émissions nettes d'un réservoir hydroélectrique, Nam Theun 2 (NT2) dans la région subtropicale de la République Démocratique Populaire du Laos, Asie. Ce travail est la première évaluation de l'empreinte carbone des GES (c'est à dire : les émissions après ennoiement moins les émissions avant ennoiement) en relation avec la création d'un réservoir hydroélectrique. C'est le résultat d'une étude à grande échelle qui s'est déroulée pendant cinq ans (2008-2012). Nous avons tout d'abord quantifié les sources et les puits majeurs des GES des composants terrestres et aquatiques du paysage avant ennoiement (Mai 2008). Ensuite, à partir d'Avril 2009, cette étude similaire a été réalisée au niveau du réservoir, sa zone de marnage et son aval. C'est en Octobre 2009 que le réservoir hydroélectrique NT2 a, pour la première fois, atteint son niveau maximal et c'est huit mois plus tard, en Mars 2010, que les turbines ont fonctionnées pour la première fois. En se basant sur un suivi bimensuel et sur cinq missions de terrain couvrant toutes les saisons, les émissions des principaux GES (c'est à dire l'oxyde nitreux (N2O), le méthane (CH4) et le dioxyde de carbone (CO2)) ont été mesurées d'Avril 2009 à Décembre 2011. Les émissions ont été déterminées à la surface du réservoir (flux diffusifs et ébullitifs) ainsi que dans les sols de la zone de marnage, qui peut atteindre 370 km2 pour une surface totale de réservoir de 450 km2.

Today???s carbon constrained world with its increasing demand for cheap energy and a fossil fuel intensive fleet of power producers is making carbon capture and storage (CCS) desirable. Several CCS technologies are under investigation by various research and development groups globally. One of the more promising technologies is oxy-fuel combustion, since it produces a CO2 rich flue gas which requires minor processing to meet storage condition requirements. In this study the economics of an advanced super critical oxy-coal power plant burning lignite, simulated in-house was assessed. A robust and user-friendly financial tool box has been developed with commonly acceptable default parameter settings. Capital, operation and maintenance costs were estimated along with corresponding levelized cost of electricity and CO2 avoidance costs calculated using the detailed financial model developed. A levelized cost of electricity of 131 $/MWhrnet along with a levelized CO2 avoidance cost of 64 $/tonne was estimated for an ASC oxy-coal power plant with CO2 capture. Also a levelized cost of electricity of 83 $/MWhrnet was estimated for an ASC air-fired coal power plant without CO2 capture capabilities as the base plant. The price of electricity was observed to increase from 83 $/MWhrnet to 131 $/MWhrnet translating into a 57% increase. The sensitivity of the overall economics of the process was assessed to several parameters. The overall economics was found sensitive to the choice chemical engineering plant cost index (CEPCI), capacity factor, size of power plant, debt ratio, fuel price, interest rate, and construction duration.

Brown macroalgae or brown seaweed is a promising source of ethanol that may avoid the challenges of arable land use, water use, lignin content, and the food vs. fuel debate associated with first generation and cellulosic ethanol sources; however, this promise is challenged by seaweed’s high water content, high ash content, and natural composition fluctuations. Notably, lifecycle studies of seaweed ethanol are lacking in the literature. To address this gap, a well-to-wheel model of ethanol production from farmed brown seaweed was constructed and applied to the case of Saccharina latissima farming in British Columbia (BC), Canada, to determine energy return on energy invested (EROI), carbon intensity (CI), and near shore seaweed farming production potential for seaweed ethanol and to examine the production cost of seaweed ethanol. Seaweed farming and ethanol production were modeled based on current BC farming methods and the dry grind corn ethanol production process; animal feed was included as an ethanol co-product, and co-product credits were considered. A seaweed ethanol yield calculation tool that accounts for seaweed composition was proposed, and a sensitivity study was done to examine case study data assumptions. In the case study, seaweed ethanol had lower CI than sugarcane, wheat, and corn ethanol at 10.1 gCO2e/MJ, and it had an EROI comparable to corn ethanol at 1.78. Seaweed ethanol was potentially profitable due to significant revenue from animal feed sales; however, the market for seaweed animal feed was limited by the feed’s high sodium content. Near shore seaweed farming could meet the current demand for ethanol in BC, but world near shore ethanol potential is likely an order of magnitude lower than world ethanol production and two orders of magnitude lower than world gasoline production. Composition variation and a limited harvest season make solar thermal or geothermal seaweed drying and storage necessary for ethanol production in BC. Varying seaweed composition, solar thermal drying performance, co-product credits, the type of animal feed produced, transport distances, and seaweed farming performance in the sensitivity study gave an EROI of over 200 and a CI of -42 gCO2e/MJ in the best case and an EROI of 0.64 and CI of 33 gCO2e/MJ in the worst case. Co-product credits and the type of animal feed produced had the most significant effect overall, and the worst cases of seaweed composition and solar thermal seaweed drying system performance resulted in EROI of 0.64 and 1.0 respectively. Brown seaweed is concluded to be a potentially profitable source of ethanol with climate benefits that surpass current ethanol sources; however, additional research into seaweed animal feed value, co-product credits, large scale seaweed conversion, and the feasibility of solar thermal or geothermal seaweed drying is required to confirm this conclusion. / Graduate