Biomass logistics as a determinant of second‐generation biofuel facility scale, location and technology selection

Abstract

Feedstock logistics, as dictated by biomass physical properties, location, and distribution, as well as transportation infrastructure, were shown to be a primary determinant of the scale, location, and technology selection of any future biorefi neries. The maximum capacity of both biochemical-and thermochemical-based second-generation biofuel facilities was established based on feedstock logistics including delivery mode (road, rail, or ship), maximum number of deliveries by mode, feedstock type (whole logs, chips, pellets, or bio-oil), and biofuel yield from those feedstocks. The world's largest ethanol plant, pulp mill, coal-based power plant, and oil refi nery were used to approximate maximum plant size for different technologies, and to set an upper limit on the number of deliveries logistically possible for each transport mode. It was apparent that thermochemical conversion to transportation biofuels was favored for large, multimodal coastal facilities that are able to receive imported biomass in the form of feedstock intermediates, such as pellets and bio-oil (maximum capacities of 2844 and 6001 million liters gasoline equivalent (MLGE) respectively). Biochemically-based conversion processes, primarily due to smaller economies of scale and the typical use of higher moisture content and undensifi ed feedstocks, such as whole logs and chips, are better suited for smaller facilities (maximum 1405 and 1542 MLGE, respectively) that rely on local feedstocks delivered by truck and/or rail. It was also apparent that optimization of the feedstock-intermediate-product chain, including biomass densifi cation for transportation and high conversion yield, is essential if the scale of the any second-generation biofuels facility is to be maximized.

Spatial Analysis of Biomass Resources within a Socio-Ecologically Heterogeneous Region: Identifying Opportunities for a Mixed Feedstock Stream

“…One way to incorporate heterogeneous feedstock into a bioenergy system is to create a homogenous intermediate [11]. There are currently two conversion pathways capable of achieving this goal.…”

“…What is more, biomass resources are distributed over wide geographical areas, while their biochemical properties are highly variable over space. Due to these site-specific logistical challenges (see also [8][9][10][11][12][13]), geographic information of available feedstock options is required for effective policy, planning, and investment decisions related to the implementation and commercialization of second generation bioenergy production. Accordingly, there is increasing emphasis on using geographic information systems (GIS) in order to resolve crucial uncertainties in the bioenergy supply-chain (visualized below in Figure 1) related to the location, quantity, and cost of potential feedstock [14].…”

“…In the rare case that this occurs, however, discussions of technological options for bioconversion are generally limited to electricity and heat (but see [39]); and opportunities for synergy between available biomass resource options are not explored. These are critical oversights given that multi-biomass supply chains can help to insulate against cost and availability fluctuations related to seasonality and greater storage requirements, as well as the low spatial density and associated increased transport requirements which challenge single biomass supply chains [11,13,21,41]. Many studies on potential feedstock supply begin by identifying an optimal -greenfield‖ location for the putative bioenergy or biofuel production facility (e.g., [42,43]).…”

Modelling Production Cost Scenarios for Biofuels and Fossil Fuels in Europe

“…Many authors describe the entire energy system either through the use of a technical bottom-up approach or a macroeconomic top-down approach (Junginger et al, 2008). There are also a number of studies evaluating whole supply chains for biobased products (Stephen et al, 2010;Kim et al, 2011), biorefinery concepts (Fernando et al, 2006;Clark, 2007;Francesco, 2010) or the potential of biofuels for individual countries (Martinsen et al, 2010). For example, Kim et al (2011) use a mixed integer linear programming model that enables the selection of fuel conversion technologies, capacities, biomass locations, and the logistics of transportation from the raw material locations to the conversion sites and then to the final markets.…”

Calculation of Raw Material Prices and Conversion Costs for Biofuels

“…Both technical bottom-up approaches as well as macroeconomic top-down approaches have been utilised to describe the entire energy system (de Wit et al 2010). Other authors evaluate whole supply chains for bio-based products (Stephen et al 2010;Kim et al 2011), biorefinery concepts (Fernando et al 2006;Clark 2007;Francesco 2010) as well as the potential of biofuels for individual countries (Martinsen et al 2010). For example, a mixed integer linear programming model that allows the selection of fuel conversion technologies, capacities, biomass locations, as well as the logistics of transportation from the raw material locations to the conversion sites and then to the final markets has been established by Kim et al (2011).…”