Analysis
The Biomass Program uses a wide range of analytical tools, data, and methodologies to support decision making, guide research, and demonstrate progress toward goals.
Most analyses fall under two broad categories: strategic analysis and portfolio analysis. Strategic analysis addresses cross-cutting issues to help frame overall Program direction and goals. Portfolio analysis, by contrast, ensures that Program activities and projects are aligned to meet the research and development (R&D) targets necessary to accomplish Program goals. Each of the Program's technology platforms conduct R&D portfolio analyses in their areas of focus.
The wide variety of available biomass feedstocks, conversion technologies, and integration strategies offer a broad range of feasible biofuels scenarios. The Program focuses its efforts on the biofuels R&D pathways that offer the best potential for commercialization.
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Strategic Analysis
The Program's strategic analysis activities have focused primarily on ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks. Examples include analyses of sustainability issues, food versus fuel issues, and preparation of state-of-technology assessments. The Program has recently extended its strategic analyses to include a variety of advanced biofuels, which may be needed to meet legislated biofuels production targets. The Program uses detailed analysis of life-cycle costs and benefits, sustainability, and environmental impacts to make decisions regarding its future R&D activities.
Specific examples of strategic analyses activities include:
- The Biomass Scenario Model Report "Understanding the Growth of the Cellulosic Ethanol Industry" (PDF 1.5 MB), which provides information on potential growth forecasts for cellulosic ethanol under different market and policy scenarios.
- Testing the Saab BioPower vehicle under U.S. driving conditions: "Fuel Economy and Emissions of the Ethanol-Optimized Saab 9-5 Biopower" (PDF 248 KB); the Saab BioPower is one of the first vehicles to use an ethanol-optimized engine to close the mileage gap associated with ethanol.
- State-of-technology assessment (cost and performance evaluations for cellulosic ethanol): "Biochemical Production of Ethanol from Corn Stover: 2007 State of Technology Model" (PDF 519 KB)
Portfolio Analysis
The Program relies on portfolio analysis to guide development of a robust and balanced R&D portfolio that will enable the Program to cost-effectively achieve its targets. Portfolio analysis weighs benefits against costs and risks, taking into account the latest information on technical status, barriers, and markets, as well as external reviews of progress achieved by ongoing projects. The Program addresses pathway barriers by balancing the needs of the cellulosic biofuels industry and maintaining a connection among the various elements of the biomass-to-biofuels supply chain.
The following portfolio analyses provided some key results:
- Billion-Ton Study (resource estimate for biomass feedstocks) "Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply", April 2005 (PDF 5.5 MB)
- Design Reports (production costs of conversion technologies)
- Lignocellulosic Biomass to Ethanol Process Design and Economics Utilizing Co-Current Dilute Acid Prehydrolysis and Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Corn Stover (PDF 3.1 MB)
- Thermochemical Ethanol via Indirect Gasification and Mixed Alcohol Synthesis of Lignocellulosic Biomass (PDF 3.2 MB)