DOE issues RFI on biomass supply systems to support billion-ton bioeconomy vision
09 June 2016
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issed a Request for Information (RFI) (DE-FOA-0001603) seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders to support a “billion-ton bioeconomy.” This request for information (RFI) asks for input about specific aspects in the development of large-scale supply systems and technologies to eventually supply up to a billion dry tons of biomass feedstocks annually for a variety of end uses.
In 2005, a joint study by the US Departments of Agriculture and Energy (USDA and DOE) concluded that the land resources of the US could produce a sustainable supply of biomass sufficient to displace 30% or more of the country’s then-present petroleum consumption. The study found that just forest land and agricultural land alone have a potential for 1.3 billion dry tons of biomass feedstock per year—leading to the shorthand “billion-ton bioeconomy.” (Earlier post.)
In 2011, DOE updated the report, supporting the general conclusions of the first, but putting more emphasis on energy crops. (Earlier post.)
Existing feedstock supply systems are not adequate to reliably provide high-quality feedstock at the increasing volumes demanded over the next few decades by a growing bioeconomy. Current systems and technologies have limitations in providing uniform feedstocks with specified composition, shape, size, and moisture characteristics. New logistics and processing technologies and systems are needed to address these challenges to support a growing biomass derived industry and bioeconomy.
Advanced systems in the future may involve central processing and distribution centers such as feedstock depots or be stand-alone operations.The goal is to develop the components of processing and handling (unit operations) of biomass and demonstrate the viability of an Advanced Feedstock Supply Systems (AFSS) on-scale in the future.
The RFI categories include:
- Preprocessing technologies
- Quality management
- Strategies for mobilizing a billion tons of biomass resources
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