Download or read book The Economic Potential of Switchgrass as a Viable Biofuel Alternative written by Jennifer E. Reutzel and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To be commercially viable as a bioenergy feedstock, switchgrass must be cost-competitive. Switchgrass production and delivery costs are calculated for the Chariton Valley Switchgrass Biomass Project located in the Chariton Valley, Iowa. Sensitivity analyses are performed to determine which variables have the greatest impact on cost. Switchgrass production costs would require higher than expected market prices, and therefore various incentive payment options are considered. The incentive payments attempt to encapsulate the positive environmental attributes from the production of switchgrass as well as using switchgrass as a clean energy coal substitute. A modified CRP payment, carbon payment, and green tag payment are all considered, and their relative advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The modified CRP payment and the green tag payment are shown to have significant potential for offsetting high switchgrass costs of production.
Download or read book Economics of Switchgrass in the Great Plains written by Victoria Omojeso and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fossil fuels account for approximately three quarters of anthropogenic carbon emissions (Houghton et al., 2001). Cleaner alternative sources of fuels that release less carbon dioxide (CO2) are required to reduce carbon emission affecting global climate change. In 2015 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change set forth a goal to limit global temperature increases to 2°C; however, to accomplish this goal, negative emissions technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) must be developed. Bioenergy crop such as switchgrass, remove atmospheric CO2 as they grow and have potential to be used in a carbon capture and storage (CCS) process. Switchgrass is being evaluated as a potential feedstock source for cellulosic biofuels and many studies have assessed the biophysical potential over large areas and across different geographic locations ((Gu, Wylie, & Howard, 2015) (Hartman, Nippert, & Springer, 2012; Hartman and Nippert, 2012). However, the economic potential of producing switchgrass, accounting for profitability relative to alternative crops, has received less research attention. Switchgrass production must not only be biophysically possible, but must also be profitable for BECCS to be adopted on a large scale as a negative emission technology to successfully mitigate climate change. I added economic feasibility to biophysical potential to evaluate the economics of switchgrass in the Great Plains. The result from this study can help farmers in making economic decisions regarding converting to switchgrass production and biofuel investors make decisions about switchgrass development in the Upper Missouri River Basin (UMRB). I use the switchgrass productivity model from Gu et al. 2015 to determine switchgrass biophysical potential (yields/acre). I then use switchgrass yields by sub-regions in annual farm budget to predict the economic potential of switchgrass in these sub-regions under different price scenarios. I also predict the feasibility of farmers in the UMRB converting to producing switchgrass based on the predicted economic potential. Results suggest that only 77 million acres of land may be available for switchgrass production in the UMRB. Moreover, for switchgrass to be economically viable in the regions, weighted average annual switchgrass yield must exceed 2.447, 3.055, 2.376 and 1.024 tons per acre in CMP, EHP, NGP and WBR sub-regions of the UMRB, and in order to break-even in the short run, total revenue per acre from switchgrass production would need to be at least $118.56, $128.73, $128.92, and $130.56 per acre in WBR, NGP, CMP, and EHP respectively. Furthermore, producers will need to receive prices that are greater than $100.00/ton to be profitable in CMP, EHP, and NGP. However, a price above $100.00 will be needed to encourage farmers to convert into large scale switchgrass production in the Upper Missouri River Basin.
Download or read book Switchgrass written by Andrea Monti and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-03-09 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The demand for renewable energies from biomass is growing steadily as policies are enacted to encourage such development and as industry increasingly sees an opportunity to develop bio-energy enterprises. Recent policy changes in the EU, USA and other countries are spurring interest in the cultivation of energy crops such as switchgrass. Switchgrass has gained and early lead in the race to find a biomass feedstock for energy production (and for the almost requisite need for bio-based products from such feedstocks). Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy provides a comprehensive guide to the biology, physiology, breeding, culture and conversion of switchgrass as well as highlighting various environmental, economic and social benefits. Considering this potential energy source, Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy brings together chapters from a range of experts in the field, including a foreword from Kenneth P. Vogel, to collect and present the environmental benefits and characteristics of this a crop with the potential to mitigate the risks of global warming by replacing fossil fuels. Including clear figures and tables to support discussions, Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy provides a solid reference for anyone with interest or investment in the development of bioenergy; researchers, policy makers and stakeholders will find this a key resource.
Download or read book Renewable Fuel Standard written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2012-01-29 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels. Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate. Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report.
Download or read book Compendium of Bioenergy Plants written by Hong Luo and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-03-14 with total page 467 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains the most comprehensive reviews on the latest development of switchgrass research including the agronomy of the plant, the use of endophytes and mycorrhizae for biomass production, genetics and breeding of bioenergy related traits, molecular genetics and molecular breeding, genomics, transgenics, processing, bioconversion, biosystem and chemical engineering, biomass production modeling, economics of switchgrass feedstock production etc. The book will be of interest and great value to the switchgrass research communities in both academia and industry and a handbook for agronomists, geneticists, breeders, molecular biologists, physiologists, biosystems engineers and chemical engineers.
Download or read book Switchgrass Extractives Have Potential as a Value added Antimicrobial Against Plant Pathogens and Foodborne Pathogens written by Alexander Ian Bruce and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), a perennial grass native to North America, is a leading biomass feedstock candidate for the manufacture of cellulosic ethanol. Switchgrass is considered a viable option for biofuel production due to its cheap production cost and ability to grow on marginal land. Biofuel derived from switchgrass has been shown to be very energy efficient, producing 540% more renewable energy versus nonrenewable energy expended. Switchgrass-derived biofuel is also estimated to have greenhouse gas emissions that are 94% lower than emissions from gasoline (Schmer et al 2008). Biofuels are created through biochemical processes that utilize various enzymes and microorganisms for conversion of cellulose to ethanol. During this process, switchgrass extractives can be eliminated to allow for optimum enzyme activity, and improved efficiency of the conversion process (Thammasouk et al. 1997). Switchgrass extractives removed during this process are rich in phenolic compounds that are known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. These compounds are concomitant with the induction of the systemic resistance response exhibited by stressed or diseased plants (Chen et al. 2010). If the extractives are not removed during the biofuel production process, the phenolic compounds will inhibit microbial and enzymatic function and decrease ethanol yield. The goal of this research was to assess the efficacy of switchgrass extractives as an antimicrobial for use as a commercial value-added product to switchgrass-derived biofuels. Specifically, the objectives of this research were to test for antimicrobial activity of concentrated switchgrass extractives against bacterial plant pathogens, fungal plant pathogens, and bacterial foodborne pathogens.
Download or read book Transporting Biomass to the European Market an Analysis of the Economic Viability of Producing Switchgrass and Woo0d Pellets as a Biofuel for Europe written by Joseph Mackey and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Advanced Biofuel Technologies written by Deepak K. Tuli and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2021-12-08 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advanced Biofuel Technologies: Present Status, Challenges and Future Prospects deals with important issues such as feed stock availability, technology options, greenhouse gas reduction as seen by life cycle assessment studies, regulations and policies. This book provides readers complete information on the current state of developments in both thermochemical and biochemical processes for advanced biofuels production for the purpose of transportation, domestic and industrial applications. Chapters explore technological innovations in advanced biofuels produced from agricultural residues, algae, lipids and waste industrial gases to produce road transport fuels, biojet fuel and biogas. Covers technologies and processes of different types of biofuel production Outlines a selection of different types of renewable feedstocks for biofuel production Summarizes adequate and balanced coverage of thermochemical and biochemical methods of biomass conversion into biofuel Includes regulations, policies and lifecycle and techno-economic assessments
Download or read book Master s Theses Directories written by and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Education, arts and social sciences, natural and technical sciences in the United States and Canada".
Download or read book Exploring the Potential to Penetrate the Energy Market for Tennessee produced Switchgrass written by Shikha Chugh and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The need for alternative sources of energy which are renewable and environmentally friendly has focused attention on the development of biomass-based energy sector. Lignocellulosic energy crops such as switchgrass are considered potential feedstock for biomass-based energy because of wide range adaptability in conjunction with lower input requirements. However, the costs of the collection, storage, and transportation of the low density feedstock from farm to conversion facilities in the switchgrass supply chain pose a major barrier to the development of bioenergy sector. The objective of the present study is to determine the optimal logistics configuration for Tennessee-produced switchgrass to penetrate the energy market via a collection/distribution hub. A mathematical programming model in integration with the Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to maximize the net present value of the profit of a collection hub/depot serving both switchgrass producers as well as bioenergy markets. A total of seven logistics scenarios were evaluated: the Baseline scenario utilized a conventional baler harvest and storage system used in the study area, while the other six scenarios incorporated various preprocessing technologies to increase the density of feedstock before delivery to local or international markets. The results showed the economic challenges of feedstock logistics: only one of the seven evaluated logistics configurations was found to be profitable for the collection hub/depot with the given assumptions. With an increase in fuel prices, it was even difficult to penetrate the energy markets for Tennessee produced switchgrass. However, if investment risk could be lower, two logistics configurations targeting international markets would become profitable. The results imply that government intervention in the bioenergy industry in the form of incentives, policies, or carbon trading mechanism can reduce the risk of investment in this market and hence increase the profitability and prompt the development of advanced bioenergy industry.
Download or read book Alternative Crops and Biofuel Production written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In order for the biofuel industry to meet the RFS benchmarks for biofuels, new feedstock sources and production systems will have to be identified and evaluated. The Southern Plains has the potential to produce over a billion gallons of biofuels from regionally produced alternative crops, agricultural residues, and animal fats. While information on biofuel conversion processes is available, it is difficult for entrepreneurs, community planners and other interested individuals to determine the feasibility of biofuel processes or to match production alternatives with feed stock availability and community infrastructure. This project facilitates the development of biofuel production from these regionally available feed stocks. Project activities are concentrated in five major areas. The first component focused on demonstrating the supply of biofuel feedstocks. This involves modeling the yield and cost of production of dedicated energy crops at the county level. In 1991 the DOE selected switchgrass as a renewable source to produce transportation fuel after extensive evaluations of many plant species in multiple location (Caddel et al, . 2010). However, data on the yield and cost of production of switchgrass are limited. This deficiency in demonstrating the supply of biofuel feedstocks was addressed by modeling the potential supply and geographic variability of switchgrass yields based on relationship of available switchgrass yields to the yields of other forage crops. This model made it possible to create a database of projected switchgrass yields for five different soil types at the county level. A major advantage of this methodology is that the supply projections can be easily updated as improved varieties of switchgrass are developed and additional yield data becomes available. The modeling techniques are illustrated using the geographic area of Oklahoma. A summary of the regional supply is then provided.
Download or read book Commencement written by Iowa State University and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Biofuels and Bioenergy written by Baskar Gurunathan and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2021-10-17 with total page 562 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels and Bioenergy: Opportunities and Challenges is the first of two volumes that address the technological developments and challenges in the production of a broad range of biofuels and bioenergy products from renewable feedstock. The book emphasizes the opportunities and challenges involved in various processes including fermentation, transesterification, microbial fuels cells, liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. These are also considered from a biorefinery perspective and discuss all common biomass feedstocks. In addition, the book presents new research on microalgae from waste water treatment, large scale production of microalgae, microbial biooil production, biogas production, computational tools for manipulation of metabolic pathway for enhanced biogas production, production of biofuel from genetically modified microalgal biomass, techno-economic analysis, environmental impact and life cycle analysis. Biofuels and Bioenergy is an ideal reference on the latest research for researchers and students working in the area of biofuels and renewable energy. Addresses biological and chemical methods of biofuel and bioenergy production Provides industry case studies alongside in-depth techno-economic analysis, environmental impact, and life cycle assessment of biofuels production Focuses on the commercial viability of production processes
Download or read book Economic and Environmental Optimization in the Supply of Switchgrass in Tennessee written by Jia Zhong and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The low efficiency of collection, storage and transportation in the switchgrass supply chain has hindered the commercialization of a switchgrass-based biofuel industry, even given its ecological and environmental advantages in carbon sequestrate, soil quality, water use, and pollution pressure. Thus, designing a switchgrass-based supply chain balancing both environmental and economic performance is important to expedite the development of the cellulosic biofuel industry to meet the national energy plan. The objectives of this study are to 1) determine economic cost and multiple environmental outcomes in feedstock supply chains and 2) identify the relation between the economic and environmental performances. The first paper considers three objectives: minimization of economic cost, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and soil erosions. The second paper focuses on the relation between economic cost and abated greywater footprint for industrialized supply of cellulosic biofuel in west Tennessee. The improved augmented epsilon method and compromise solution method were applied to high-resolution spatial data to determine the optimal placement of the feedstock supply chains. Results in the first paper indicated that land change into switchgrass production is crucial to both plant-gate cost and environmental impact of feedstock supply. Converting croplands to switchgrass incurred higher opportunity cost from land use change but stored more soil carbon and generated less soil erosion. Tradeoffs in higher feedstock costs with lower GHG emissions and lower soil erosion on the frontier were captured. Soil erosion was found more cost effective criterion than GHG emission in general. The compromise solution location for the conversion facility generated at 63% increase in feedstock cost but improved the environmental impact in lowering 27 % GHG emission and decreasing soil erosion by 70 times lower in the feedstock supply chain compared with cost minimization location. Results in the second paper showed that tradeoff between feedstock costs and greywater footprint was mainly associated with the changes of land use, while ambient water quality condition was also influential to the selection of feedstock production area. The average imputed cost of lowering grey water footprint in the most preferred feedstock supply chain in west Tennessee was $0.94 m−3 [per cubic meter].
Download or read book Evaluation of Capital Investment and Cash Flows for Alternative Switchgrass Feedstock Supply Chain Configurations written by Jie Chen and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels have been widely recognized as a potential renewable energy source, and the United States' government has been interested in producing ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass such as switchgrass. To evaluate whether lignocellulosic biomass based biofuels production is economically feasible, this paper estimated the capital investment outlays, operation costs, and net present value for investment in alternative switchgrass feedstock supply chain configurations in East Tennessee a 25 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery. Two scenarios are analyzed in the study. The conventional hay harvest scenario includes the production, harvest, storage and transportation of biomass feedstocks from the fields to the biorefinery. The preprocessing scenario added preprocessing facilities into the biomass supply chain. According to various harvest, storage, preprocessing, and harvest equipment options, analysis and comparisons were made among different systems. The capital budgeting model developed in this study generated the optimal feedstock supply chain configurations to determine the largest net present value of cash flow from investment. Results of this study shown that with the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) incentives, a round bale system using feedstock stored without tarp on pallets using custom hired equipment had the largest positive net present value. By comparison, if all the harvest equipment is purchased rather than custom hired, the stretch wrap baler preprocessing systems, using switchgrass harvested by a chopper with rotary cutter-header, was found to have a cost advantage over conventional hay harvest logistic systems (large round bale and large square bale systems) and pellet preprocessing systems. Assuming most likely values for switchgrass price and production costs, none of the feed stock supply chain configurations evaluated in this study produced a positive net present value when BCAP subsidies were assumed to not be available. However, without the BCAP incentives and based on combination of optimistic assumption, the round bale system using feedstock stored without tarp on pallets using custom hired equipment still has the largest positive net present value. Without the BCAP incentives, no feedstock supply chain configuration using purchased rather than custom hired equipment generated a positive net present value.
Download or read book Examining the Impacts of Switchgrass Derived Biofuels on U S Biofuel Policy and the Potential Environmental Ethical Dilemmas written by Cheyenne Harden and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Overall, biofuels play a significant role in future energy sourcing and deserve thorough researching and examining for their best use in achieving sustainable goals. National and state policies are supporting biofuel production as a sustainable option without a holistic view of total impacts. The analysis from this research connects to policies based on life cycle sustainability to identify other environmental impacts beyond those specified in the policy as well as ethical issues that are a concern. A Life cycle assessment (LCA) of switchgrass agriculture indicates it will be challenging to meet U.S. Renewable Fuel Standards with only switchgrass cellulosic ethanol, yet may be used for California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Ethical dilemmas in food supply, land conservation, and water use can be connected to biofuel production and will require evaluation as policies are created. The discussions around these ethical dilemmas should be had throughout the process of biofuel production and policy making. Earth system engineering management principles can help start the discussions and allow anthropocentric and biocentric viewpoints to be heard.
Download or read book Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future written by Jingzheng Ren and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-08-20 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors
