Open AccessTransportation Energy Futures Series: Projected Biomass Utilization for Fuels and Power in a Mature Market
Author(s) -
Mark Ruth,
Trieu Mai,
Emily Newes,
Andy Aden,
Ethan Warner,
Caroline Uriarte,
Daniel Inman,
Travis Simpkins,
Andrew M Argo
Publication year - 2013
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1069180
Subject(s) - biomass (ecology) , biofuel , greenhouse gas , bioenergy , environmental science , energy crop , renewable energy , cofiring , natural resource economics , petroleum , diesel fuel , biodiesel , business , environmental economics , waste management , economics , engineering , ecology , coal , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , electrical engineering , organic chemistry , catalysis
The viability of biomass as transportation fuel depends upon the allocation of limited resources for fuel, power, and products. By focusing on mature markets, this report identifies how biomass is projected to be most economically used in the long term and the implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and petroleum use. In order to better understand competition for biomass between these markets and the potential for biofuel as a market-scale alternative to petroleum-based fuels, this report presents results of a micro-economic analysis conducted using the Biomass Allocation and Supply Equilibrium (BASE) modeling tool. The findings indicate that biofuels can outcompete biopower for feedstocks in mature markets if research and development targets are met. The BASE tool was developed for this project to analyze the impact of multiple biomass demand areas on mature energy markets. The model includes domestic supply curves for lignocellulosic biomass resources, corn for ethanol and butanol production, soybeans for biodiesel, and algae for diesel. This is one of a series of reports produced as a result of the Transportation Energy Futures (TEF) project, a Department of Energy-sponsored multi-agency project initiated to pinpoint underexplored strategies for abating GHGs and reducing petroleum dependence related to transportation