Title: Assessment of the feedstock supply for siting single- and multiple-feedstock biorefineries in the USA and identification of prevalent feedstocks

Abstract

An integrated multi-feedstock bioenergy (i.e., biofuel, biopower, or bioproduct) supply system has potential to reduce biomass supply system uncertainties and costs. This study identifies optimal configurations of multi-feedstock biomass-to-biorefinery supply chains and pertinent feedstock combinations based on spatial distribution of feedstock and lowest delivered cost to the biorefinery. We used the Supply Characterization Model (SCM) to allocate feedstock supplies to candidate biorefinery facilities. Model runs were performed for herbaceous energy crops, agriculture residue, and woody biomass available in 2017, 2022, 2025, and 2030 as estimated by the Policy Analysis System (POLYSYS) and Forest Sustainable and Economic Analysis Model (ForSEAM) models. Three feedstock supply scenarios were compared: (a) an herbaceous scenario: switchgrass, miscanthus, biosorghum, and corn stover; (b) a woody scenario: coppice wood, noncoppice wood, whole trees, and forestry residues, and (c) a mixed scenario: a combination of all feedstocks in herbaceous and woody scenarios. By 2030 the analyses predicted that 323, 168, and 473 biorefineries were sited in the herbaceous, woody, and mixed scenario, respectively, in the conterminous USA. Feedstock mixes supplied to the biorefineries were mostly dominated by a single feedstock. The most prominent feedstock mixes identified were: (1) switchgrass and miscanthus; (2) coppice and noncoppice wood; and (3)more » coppice wood, noncoppice wood, switchgrass and miscanthus. Biorefineries using multi-feedstock would be beneficial for growth of bioeconomy, however flexible and cost-effective conversion platforms should be developed to efficiently utilize multiple feedstocks. This analysis identifies biorefinery locations and feedstock supply mixes while minimizing delivered feedstock costs based on spatial and temporal feedstock availability.« less

Authors:

Sharma, Bhavna  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-5677-1339"

Brandt, Craig  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-1470-7379"

Amal, Devita ^[1]; Langholtz, Matthew H.  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-8153-7154"

Webb, Erin  ^[1]

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-1501-8647"

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Publication Date:

Thu Feb 27 00:00:00 EST 2020

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

OSTI Identifier:

1632089

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 14; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-104X

Publisher:

Wiley

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

09 BIOMASS FUELS