Estimation of economic impacts of cellulosic biofuel production: a comparative analysis of three biofuel pathways

Abstract

The development of a cellulosic biofuel industry utilizing domestic biomass resources is expected to create opportunities for economic growth resulting from the construction and operation of new biorefi neries. We applied an economic input-output model to estimate potential economic impacts, particularly gross job growth, resulting from the construction and operation of biorefi neries using three different technology pathways: (i) cellulosic ethanol via biochemical conversion in Iowa, (ii) renewable diesel blendstock via biological conversion in Georgia, and (iii) renewable diesel and gasoline blendstock via fast pyrolysis in Mississippi. Combining direct, indirect (revenue-and supply-chainrelated), and induced effects, capital investment associated with the construction of a biorefi nery processing 2000 dry metric tons of biomass per day (DMT/day) could yield between 5960 and 8470 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs during the construction period, depending on the biofuel pathways. Fast pyrolysis biorefi neries produce the most jobs on a project level thanks to the highest capital requirement among the three pathways. Normalized on the scale of $1 million of capital investment, the fast pyrolysis biorefi neries are estimated to yield slighter higher numbers of jobs (12.1 jobs) than the renewable diesel (11.8 jobs) and the cellulosic ethanol (11.6 jobs) biorefi neries. While operating biorefi neries is not labor-intensive, the annual operation of a 2000 DMT/day biorefi nery could support between 720 and 970 jobs when the direct, indirect, and induced effects are considered. The major factor, which results in the variations among the three pathways, is the type of biomass feedstock used for biofuels. Unlike construction jobs, these operation-related jobs are necessary over the entire life of the biorefi neries. Our results show that indirect effects stimulated by the operation of biorefi neries are the primary contributor to job growth. The agriculture/forest, services, and trade industries are the primary sectors that will benefi t from the ongoing operation of biorefi neries.

Spatial agent‐based modeling for dedicated energy crop adoption and cellulosic biofuel commercialization

“…Reducing pretreatment and enzyme costs remains a challenge in developing a cost‐effective bioconversion technology. This study assumes that the variable operating cost is $0.03 per liter, which is lower than the estimated values ($0.10–$0.20 per liter) in other studies . Figure shows the changes in the amount of switchgrass acreage and the farm‐gate price associated with the variable operating costs of $0.03 L −1 (base), $0.05 L −1 , and $0.10 L −1 .…”

“…This study assumes that the variable operating cost is $0.03 per liter, which is lower than the estimated values ($0.10-$0.20 per liter) in other studies. 22,42,43 Figure 7 shows the changes in the amount of switchgrass acreage and the farm-gate price associated with the variable operating costs of $0.03 L −1 (base), $0.05 L −1 , and $0.10 L −1 . For the scenario with a variable operating cost of $0.05 L −1 , a switchgrass supply shortage occurs in 2021, and the adoption of switchgrass decreases from 2021 until the end of the simulation.…”

Biochemical and structural characterization of a novel halotolerant cellulase from soil metagenome

“…The production of renewable bio-fuels using naturally abundant lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and forestry wastes will alleviate the dependence on fossil fuels3. A major component of these biomass wastes is cellulose and hence the obvious choice as a promising and efficient source of biofuel456. The biochemical conversion of lignocellulose to ethanol involves three steps: first, pretreatment of biomass to remove lignin and hemicellulose, second, enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose and third, fermentation of glucose to produce ethanol7.…”

Criteria prioritization for sustainable development of second-generation bioethanol in Thailand with an application of Delphi-AHP technique

“…The utilization of cellulosic residues in the biorefinery for further products is a possible option to increase alternative incomes for the farmers and more channels to develop the higher-skilled labors in the agricultural sector [152]. One of the potential scenarios is the promotion of utilizing regional biomass, which could encourage mixed feedstocks, providing the possibilities to facilitate biomass handling and logistics [72].…”