Multi-Criteria Assessment of Biofuel Production in Small Islands

Abstract

This paper discusses various policy alternatives for the implementation of a biofuel crop on an island scale. It adopts an integrated approach by carrying out Multi-Criteria Assessment, as well as using a Geographical Information System. The assessment is based on an interdisciplinary research project carried out by the University of La Laguna to evaluate the agricultural and chemical feasibility, and the socio-economic implications of the cultivation of Jatropha as a source of biofuel on one of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura. A number of alternatives were analysed for growing Jatropha, and the results suggest that the best alternative involves using Typic Torrifluents soil and irrigation with reclaimed Recycled Urban Wastewater at 75% evapotranspiration cover.

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Nuez, D. , Corral-Quintana, S. and de Lara, D. (2015) Multi-Criteria Assessment of Biofuel Production in Small Islands. Natural Resources, 6, 230-236. doi: 10.4236/nr.2015.64021.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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