Maturation of biomass‐to‐biofuels conversion technology pathways for rapid expansion of biofuels production: a system dynamics perspective
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Strategic Energy Analysis Center Golden CO USA
- Kilpatrick Townsend &, Stockton LLP Denver CO USA
- Lexidyne LLC West Lebanon NH USA
Abstract The Biomass Scenario Model ( BSM ) is a system‐dynamics simulation model intended to explore the potential for rapid expansion of the biofuels industry. The model is not predictive — it uses scenario assumptions based on various types of data to simulate industry development, emphasizing how incentives and technological learning‐by‐doing might accelerate industry growth. The BSM simulates major sectors of the biofuels industry, including feedstock production and logistics, conversion, distribution, and end uses, as well as interactions among sectors. The model represents conversion of biomass to biofuels as a set of technology pathways, each of which has allowable feedstocks, capital and operating costs, allowable products, and other defined characteristics. This study and the BSM address bioenergy modeling analytic needs that were identified in recent literature reviews. Simulations indicate that investments are most effective at expanding biofuels production through learning‐by‐doing when they are coordinated with respect to timing, pathway, and target sector within the biofuels industry. Effectiveness metrics include timing and magnitude of increased production, incentive cost and cost effectiveness, and avoidance of windfall profits. Investment costs and optimal investment targets have inherent risks and uncertainties, such as the relative value of investment in more‐mature versus less mature pathways. These can be explored through scenarios, but cannot be precisely predicted. Dynamic competition, including competition for cellulosic feedstocks and ethanol market shares, intensifies during times of rapid growth. Ethanol production increases rapidly, even up to Renewable Fuel Standards‐targeted volumes of biofuel, in simulations that allow higher blending proportions of ethanol in gasoline‐fueled vehicles. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Biofuels, Bioproducts, Biorefining published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- Contract DE-AC36-08GO28308; AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1345670
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1220576
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-6A20-60444
- Journal Information:
- Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Journal Name: Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining Vol. 9 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 1932-104X
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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