Genetically modified trees have been extensively academically explored as ideal feedstocks for pulp/paper and cellulosic ethanol. Novel trees include modifications that increase cellulose content, reduce lignin content, and even change lignin monolignol ratios. However, companies considering investing in these engineered managed forests need to examine technoeconomic feasibility prior to adoption. Specific attention to regulations, site…
Agricultural Feedstocks for the renewable energy industry include starch and sugar crops (e.g., corn, sorghum), grass crops (e.g., switch grass, miscanthus), oil crops (e.g., soybean, sunflowers), and crop residues (e.g., corn stover, corn cobs, nut shells). Agricultural feedstocks can create sustainable paths by using marginal croplands to generate energy products, and by adding value or…
Renewable energy systems based on biomass feedstocks need abundant supplies not only to maintain the physical facility with enough material to process, but also enough excess feedstock to ensure that there is a healthy competition among suppliers to keep prices competitive. Plants that can utilize more than one kind of agriculture feedstock enjoy the advantage…
As feedstock is the single largest expense in any biofuels operation, feedstock evaluation and the risks associated with the different feedstocks must be carefully delineated. As opposed to other types of agricultural based operations, biofuels sees new feedstocks being constantly introduced to the renewable energy market. The risks, costs and benefits of each feedstock must…
Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms like Lee Enterprises Consulting have feedstock specialists willing to serve as feedstock expert witnesses in related claims, litigation, arbitration and mediations, or to help attorneys evaluate their biodiesel case. Although expert witness work is only a small part of what they do, most of these feedstock expert witnesses…
Due diligence is an important step for securing feedstock in any type of renewable fuels or renewable chemicals matter. While due diligence experts in renewable fuels and renewable chemicals projects certainly have a wide variety of functions, the selection, and procurement of feedstock are normally early and high on the list. This is especially true…
“Low-cost feedstock” is a common term in the bioeconomy, with many simply equating this to “waste”. Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in feedstocks, as well as the more common areas like biofuels and renewable fuels, biomaterials, biomass and biomass power, and biotechnologies. These larger consulting groups, normally also have expertise…
Biotechnologies, like other new to the market process technologies, often do not have proven track records of commercial-scale operations in revenue-positive facilities. And because they lack a performance history and commercial references, the risk of employing new biotechnology is seen as high. To mitigate new technology risk, project developers and plant owners often employ one…