The overall objective of this research is to assess the potential ecological, economic, and social impacts of a large-scale transition to the use of biomass-derived feedstock for the production of energy, fuels and products. Considerable emphasis is being placed on shifting bioproduction from a function that is largely food-based to one in which a variety of chemical feedstocks are generated. Most studies to date suggest that products made from biomass have lower net greenhouse gas emissions than similar petroleum-based products. However, there are several important unknowns, such as changes in nutrient flows through agricultural and environmental systems and the societal impacts of a shift from petroleum-based to biobased products, and the uncertain economic impacts and resultant policy implications.
This research comprises a set of interdisciplinary studies designed to improve our understanding of the interactions between the economic, social, biological and environmental components of bioproduction. The work will involve a series of analyses/models:
Biorefinery process modeling and scenario analysis;
Agriculture sector economic and environmental modeling;
Life Cycle Assessment;
Substance Flow Analysis;
Farm enterprise economic and environmental modeling; and
Social impact assessment.
This project was recently profiled in the "Pathways" report from the NSF Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education. More...
Publications
Anex, R.P., L.R. Lynd, M.S. Laser, A.H. Heggenstaller, M. Liebman. Growing Energy, Closing Cycles: The Potential for Enhanced Nutrient Cycling through the Coupling of Agricultural and Bioenergy Systems. Crop Science Journal, 47:1327-1335, July 2007.
Heggenstaller, A. H., R. P. Anex, M. Liebman, D. N. Sundberg and L. R. Gibson. Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Bioenergy Double-Cropping Systems. Agronomy Journal 100(6):1740-1748, November 2008.
Isci, A., J. N. Himmelsbach, A. L. Pometto III, D. R. Raman, R. P. Anex. 2008. Aqueous Ammonia Soaking of Switchgrass Followed by Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 144(1):69-77; published online 1 August 2007.
Isci, A., P.T. Murphy, R.P. Anex, K.J. Moore. A Rapid Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) Technique to Determine Ethanol Yields. BioEnergy Research, accepted for publication July 2008.
Isci, A., J. N. Himmelsbach, J. Strohl, A. L. Pometto III, D. R. Raman, R. P. Anex. Pilot scale fermentation of aqueous ammonia soaked switchgrass. Accepted for publication Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, March 2008.
Edwards, K.A. and R.P. Anex. Recycling Nutrients from Biofuel Production: Pelleting and Characterizing Biomass Ash. Bioresource Technology, (submitted).
Laser, M., H. Jin, K. Jayawardhana, L.R. Lynd, 2008. Co-production of Ethanol and Power from Switchgrass. Biomass & Bioenergy, (submitted).
Laser, M., H. Jin, K. Jayawardhana, B. Dale, L.R. Lynd, 2008. Projected Mature Technology Scenarios for Conversion of Cellulosic Biomass to Ethanol with Co-production Thermochemical Fuels, Power, and/or Animal Feed Protein. Biomass & Bioenergy, (submitted).
Laser, M., E. Larson, B. Dale, M. Wang, N. Greene, L.R. Lynd, 2008. Comparative Analysis of Efficiency, Environmental Impact, and Process Economics for Mature Biomass Refining Scenarios. Biomass & Bioenergy, (submitted).