Enhance sustainability benefits through scaling-up bioenergy production from terrestrial and algae feedstocks

The techno-economic analysis outcomes of bioenergy production compared with traditional energy indicate that the existing production technologies are not promising, however environmental analyses demonstrate that bioenergy products support cross-cutting sustainability and strategic analysis efforts. Therefore, utilization of bio-products, such as bio-oil and biofuels, is expected to increase in the near future due to environmental pressures. The overarching goal is to balance the primary dimensions of sustainability using both distributed and centralized conversion technologies. To this end, this research proposes a conceptual decision making framework to examine biomass-derived energy production system infrastructures and process-level operations. This framework encompasses three phases (i.e., 5-ton study, 50-ton study, and 500-ton study), using techno-economic, financial risks, cross-cutting assessments to scale-up bioenergy production, foster technology commercialization, and enhance sustainability benefits. The motivation behind the proposed framework lies in inherent limitations of the existing bioenergy conversion technologies and production systems. As an application of this research a sustainable bioenergy economy fueled by innovative conversion technologies is examined in the state of Georgia to produce (at least one billion gasoline gallon equivalent) hydrocarbon biofuels from underutilized feedstocks (e.g., terrestrial and algae). The outcomes can address national priorities: promote energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil, promote the use of diverse domestic and clean energy resources, establish advanced bioindustries and rural economies, and mitigate environmental impacts from fossil fuel production and consumption.