Assessment of requirements and options for biomass-based lignocellulosic feedstocks
In 2018, IEA Bioenergy Task 43 (Biomass Supply) launched an initiative to identify successful examples of biomass logistics and distribution points for bioenergy and the bioeconomy: bio hubs. Pretreatments and densification at these bio-hubs make it possible to convert raw material flows from raw biomass into commodities with uniform properties. Raw materials can then be shipped for remote processing on an industrial scale. Commoditization facilitates biomass supply chains so that biomass can play an increasingly important role in providing credible alternatives to geopolitically sensitive fossil fuel imports and thus improving our energy security.
This report, conducted by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, and financially supported by IEA Bioenergy Task 43, examines the requirements and opportunities for lignocellulosic-based feedstocks.
The full report is available here:
Report – To be or not to be a biobased commodity
What makes a true lignocellulosic product?
Lignocellulosic biomass is an underutilized renewable resource. The use of this biomass for biobased applications is hampered by a lack of options to efficiently link the biomass to markets that include energy applications such as heat and electricity production, conversion to transport fuels, chemicals and/or other materials in biorefineries. Locating conversion facilities near abundant biomass has the advantage of the availability of cheap biomass, but the sites generally lack security of supply, availability of qualified personnel and do not benefit from existing infrastructure and opportunities to add value to residues. Furthermore, the scale of conversion systems is limited by the local costs of generally large and wet biomass supply.
Lignocellulosic biomass must be processed before (long-distance) transport to increase energy density and ease of transport, handling and storage. This can be done through a wide range of processes, such as pelletization, shredding, pyrolysis, torrefaction or hydrothermal upgrading. This will require pre-processing costs, but will reduce the costs of transportation, handling and storage and further conversion and ultimately the total cost of delivery.
The development of true lignocellulosic feedstocks can connect biomass to markets and reduce the opportunity cost of the feedstocks.
Five requirements for a true lignocellulosic biobased product have been defined:
- Easy to store and transport: high energy density, dry, low ash, low in nutrients
- Fungible: “interchangeable” = uniform, standard quality
- Standardization of transport, contract, insurance and conversion systems
- Functioning markets: trading systems, financial instruments (futures, etc.), high tradability
- Sustainability: standard sustainability certification systems
Several options exist as real commodities, including wood pellets, pyrolysis oil, herbaceous pellets, torrefied pellets, wood chips and bio-crude. However, they are still not real goods because they do not meet the 5 requirements described above. It is stated that only a few biomass feedstocks need to be defined covering all types of lignocellulosic biomass (wood, grass, straw, bagasse, processing residues, etc.) and also all applications such as heat, electricity, fuels, chemicals and materials. The standards should be as broad as possible and avoid frivolous or unnecessary requirements. It will require international cooperation to materialize the potential lignocellulosic biomass. The development of true lignocellulosic feedstocks can connect biomass to markets and reduce the cost of biomass supply by reducing transaction costs, as illustrated in the figure. Raw materials can contribute to efficient and circular use of biomass by creating a market for biomass that is currently significantly underutilized (stranded biomass).
Development of biobased commodities
The trade in biomass will be greatly enhanced by the definition of a limited number of standard 'biobased commodities' covering all types of lignocellulosic biomass (wood, grass, straw, bagasse, processing residues, etc.), as well as all applications such as heat, electricity, fuels, chemicals and materials. It is imperative that all parties involved in the production chain (biomass producers, machine builders, regulators, insurers, bankers, transport, end users) work to create these raw materials that can connect all potentially available and diverse lignocellulosic biomass sources worldwide to global markets.
The arrows indicate the return of minerals and water to the land or farm.
Source: ieabioenergy.com
