Third Generation Biofuels

Third-generation biofuels are currently those related to algal biomass or linked to utilization of CO₂ as feedstock.  Unlike first-generation biofuels which were virtually all related to editable biomass, or second-generation biofuels produced from a wide array of different feedstocks, ranging from lignocellulosic feedstocks to municipal solid wastes, these third-generation biofuels are less developed but offer some potential advantages.  As an example, algal biofuel production is at the early stages of commercialization and scale-up but once perfected, offers some key advantages like much higher yields per acres and not competing for land or potable water with agriculture or forestry industries.

Certainly, as the “food v. fuel” issue is resolved from the first-generation biofuels to the second-generation biofuels, other drawbacks still found in second-generation biofuels will be alleviated as commercialization of these new sources becomes prevalent.

Third-generation biofuels experts or consultants are those who have significant background in the area, through education and/or experience.  Often, they have degrees in biochemistry or are biochemical engineers.  These biofuels experts can assist investors in selecting the right technology or in preparing due diligence/feasibility studies and loan/grant applications. During design, these experts may perform a peer review of the design, prepare cost opinions, and assist with permit applications.  During construction, they often provide oversight of the facility and provide commissioning reports. They may also provide operator training, start-up assistance, and management to assist in making the facilities run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In matters involving biofuels litigation, the consultant may serve as an expert witness and assist the attorneys with understanding the processes and related technical issues and may testify in court about the biofuels’ technology, economics, or other related matters.

Lee Enterprises Consulting (LEC) offers a wide range of services in biofuels, biochemicals, biotechnologies, biomaterials, synthetic biology commercialization, feedstocks, and hemp/cannabis.  The company has business and financial services like due diligence, feedstock availability, grants and loans, and bio market research.  The company also offers technical and engineering-related services like techno-economic analysis, environmental evaluations, feasibility studies, risk analysis, and expert witness engagements.   The company also has strategic partnerships in place to assist clients with insurance, legal, accounting, plant fabrication, feedstock procurement.   With over 150 experts worldwide, Lee Enterprises Consulting also has experts in anaerobic digestion, fermentation, biomass, conversion technologies for things like tires and railroad ties, organic synthesis, fuel additives, ethanol gas, biodiesel fuel including algae biofuels, solid-state and industrial fermentation, green energy grants, ag-biotech, agricultural waste, alcohol fuels, alternative proteins and animal-free products, sustainable foods, beverage fermentation, biocatalysis, biodiesel conversion, biogas production, biomass power, carbon intensity, co2 utilization, combined heat & power, Fischer-Tropsch technology, food waste, hydrothermal carbonization, industrial enzymes, landfill management, microbial fermentation, organic synthesis, plastic pyrolysis, plastic recycling, plastic waste, pyrolysis oil, reactor design, renewable identification number, the Renewable Fuel Standard (rfs2), solid recovered fuels, torrefaction and torrefied biomass, waste to energy, and waste-to-hydrogen.   This is a multidisciplinary group of green energy consultants that is a virtual “one-stop-shop” for any client need and handles projects of all types and sizes.

Look at our experts and the services we provide.  Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  For the larger projects, we specialize in putting together full-service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact.  See a video about LEC here.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.