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Title: The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy

Abstract

Modern biotechnology has the potential to substantially advance the feasibility, structure, and efficiency of future biofuel supply chains. Advances might be direct or indirect. A direct advance would be improving the efficiency of biochemical conversion processes and feedstock production. Direct advances in processing may involve developing improved enzymes and bacteria to convert lignocellulosic feedstocks to ethanol. Progress in feedstock production could include enhancing crop yields via genetic modification or the selection of specific natural variants and breeds. Other direct results of biotechnology might increase the production of fungible biofuels and bioproducts, which would impact the supply chain. Indirect advances might include modifications to dedicated bioenergy crops that enable them to grow on marginal lands rather than land needed for food production. This study assesses the feasibility and advantages of near-future (10-year) biotechnological developments for a US biomass-based supply chain for bioenergy production. We assume a simplified supply chain of feedstock, logistics and land use, conversion, and products and utilization. The primary focus is how likely developments in feedstock production and conversion technologies will impact bioenergy and biofuels in the USA; a secondary focus is other innovative uses of biotechnologies in the energy arenas. The assessment addresses near-term biofuels based onmore » starch, sugar, and cellulosic feedstocks and considers some longer-term options, such as oil-crop and algal technologies.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory Biosciences and Environmental Sciences Divisions Oak Ridge TN USA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
OSTI Identifier:
1214607
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1286729; OSTI ID: 1295960
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining Journal Volume: 9 Journal Issue: 5; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-104X
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; bioenergy; biotechnology; bioconversion; biofeedstocks

Citation Formats

Davison, Brian H., Brandt, Craig C., Guss, Adam M., Kalluri, Udaya C., Palumbo, Antony V., Stouder, Richard L., and Webb, Erin G. The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy. United Kingdom: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1002/bbb.1549.
Davison, Brian H., Brandt, Craig C., Guss, Adam M., Kalluri, Udaya C., Palumbo, Antony V., Stouder, Richard L., & Webb, Erin G. The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1549
Davison, Brian H., Brandt, Craig C., Guss, Adam M., Kalluri, Udaya C., Palumbo, Antony V., Stouder, Richard L., and Webb, Erin G. Thu . "The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1549.
@article{osti_1214607,
title = {The impact of biotechnological advances on the future of US bioenergy},
author = {Davison, Brian H. and Brandt, Craig C. and Guss, Adam M. and Kalluri, Udaya C. and Palumbo, Antony V. and Stouder, Richard L. and Webb, Erin G.},
abstractNote = {Modern biotechnology has the potential to substantially advance the feasibility, structure, and efficiency of future biofuel supply chains. Advances might be direct or indirect. A direct advance would be improving the efficiency of biochemical conversion processes and feedstock production. Direct advances in processing may involve developing improved enzymes and bacteria to convert lignocellulosic feedstocks to ethanol. Progress in feedstock production could include enhancing crop yields via genetic modification or the selection of specific natural variants and breeds. Other direct results of biotechnology might increase the production of fungible biofuels and bioproducts, which would impact the supply chain. Indirect advances might include modifications to dedicated bioenergy crops that enable them to grow on marginal lands rather than land needed for food production. This study assesses the feasibility and advantages of near-future (10-year) biotechnological developments for a US biomass-based supply chain for bioenergy production. We assume a simplified supply chain of feedstock, logistics and land use, conversion, and products and utilization. The primary focus is how likely developments in feedstock production and conversion technologies will impact bioenergy and biofuels in the USA; a secondary focus is other innovative uses of biotechnologies in the energy arenas. The assessment addresses near-term biofuels based on starch, sugar, and cellulosic feedstocks and considers some longer-term options, such as oil-crop and algal technologies.},
doi = {10.1002/bbb.1549},
journal = {Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining},
number = 5,
volume = 9,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Thu May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Thu May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}

Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1549

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Cited by: 10 works
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