Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock Logistics
Logistical systems have been established for the existing industry that uses starch- and sugar-based ethanol feedstocks. However, these systems are inadequate to provide cellulosic ethanol producers with a large supply of low-cost, high-quality cellulosic feedstocks while preserving soil health and food-crop viability.
The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) are leading research and development (R&D) to create the feedstock logistics systems required for large-scale cellulosic ethanol production.
The DOE Biomass Program's feedstock logistics R&D focuses on feedstock harvesting, storage, and transportation technologies related to converting biomass into energy and other products. This includes working with the USDA, growers, feedstock equipment manufacturers, and processors to facilitate necessary changes in the agricultural system and support biorefinery development. The long-term goal is to develop economically and environmentally sustainable logistics technologies and processes that can supply 1 billion tons of cellulosic feedstock to biorefineries annually.
For more information on the Biomass Program's feedstock logistics R&D, see the program's Feedstock Logistics page and Feedstock Infrastructure fact sheet (PDF 78 KB). Download Adobe Reader. Idaho National Laboratory is analyzing a logistical system designed to supply 800,000 tons of wheat and barley straw annually to a biorefinery. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory sponsored a study on innovative corn stover logistics (PDF 2.3 MB). Download Adobe Reader. Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network provides documents and tools related to logistics for multiple ethanol feedstocks.
The USDA also includes feedstock logistics in its bioenergy R&D portfolio. For example, projects at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center address the harvesting, preprocessing, and storage of agricultural residues and perennial grasses as bioenergy feedstocks. See the USDA Bioenergy & Energy Alternatives page for descriptions of all the agency's bioenergy R&D projects.
The Biomass Research and Development Initiative is a DOE/USDA-led effort to coordinate and accelerate all federal biobased products and bioenergy R&D. The initiative funds ethanol feedstock logistics R&D, as well as other technical areas.
The Sun Grant Initiative is a regional collaboration among several U.S. land-grant universities and federal agencies to advance bioenergy technologies. Funded projects include feedstock logistics R&D. The Sun Grant BioWeb provides information on bioenergy topics, including ethanol feedstock logistics.