Recipient Organization
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
3500 JOHN A. MERRITT BLVD
NASHVILLE,TN 37209
Performing Department
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Non Technical Summary
This project will create an approach for cellulosic feedstock development, production, and delivery, leading to sustainable production of biomass for conversion to transportation fuels, bio-power, and bio-based materials. The goal of this project is to carry the current state of research forward to determine the technical, economic, social and environmental feasibility and benefits of utilizing short rotation woody biomass as a feedstock in the production of biofuels in the rural Southeastern region.The project will focus on short rotation woody crops of Paulownia and Sweet gum. To assess the potential of this feedstock as a lignocellulosic feedstock for advance biofuel production and electricity generation, the specific objectives of the research are to: a) document the growth performance, environmental conditions, and agronomy practices for Paulowia and Sweetgum, b) assess the economic benefits and cost of short rotation woody biomass crops for bioenergy production c) determine the factors that inhibit adaptation of short rotation woody biomass and d) determine environmental spillover of woody biomass via analysis of carbon stock and net energy balance.The proposed project activities will address all three area of the agricultural knowledge system: research, education and extension. Collectively, these activities comprise a regional approach to the creation of a sustainable biomass feedstock development, production and delivery system in the Southeastern United States. This project will support USDA-NIFA mission to facilitate energy security, economic, environmental and rural community sustainability.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The project will focus on short rotation woody crops of Paulownia and Sweet gum. To assess the potential of this feedstock as a lignocellulosic feedstock for advance biofuel production and electricity generation, the project will conduct research in the areas of:feedstock production and post-harvest logisticsprocessing options for cellulosic advance biofuel and electricity generation andenvironmental effects accounting carbon sequestration and energy benefitsThe specific objectives of the research are to:document the growth performance, environmental conditions, and agronomy practices for Paulowia and Sweetgum.assess the economic benefits and cost of short rotation woody biomass crops for bioenergy production.determine the factors that inhibit adaptation of short rotation woody biomassdetermine environmental spillover of woody biomass via analysis of carbon stock and net energy balance.
Project Methods
Methodology:Objective 1: Document the growth performance, environmental conditions, and agronomy practices for Paulowia and SweetgumPaulownia and sweet gum are not widely utilized in southeast region. Therefore it is important to document major aspects related to it's growth and performance and adoptability to agro environment conditions of southeast region. The necessary information will be documented via extensive review of literature. The lessons learned from growing these crops in other regions will be collected and document as supplementary source of information. These include species selection, yield data, input application and production costs. For example, the American Paulownia Growers Association will be contacted to receive list of current Paulownia growers to obtain production related information.Objective 2: Assess the economic benefits and cost of short rotation woody biomass crops for bioenergy production.To estimate the net economic benefit from biomass feedstock under different scenarios, a net economic return model will be used. The production data for the net returns model will be used based on the estimated yields for different sites.Producers are always concerned with economic benefits of their operation. This is particularly noticeable with regards to their decision making process in adopting to a new technology. In terms of production of short rotation woody biomass, producers are willing to know the economic benefits of new production methods including capital and operational costs. In order to answer these questions, a full range of Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) will be performed to determine the financial and economic feasibility of selected short rotation woody biomass selection. This economic analysis will rely on quantitative and qualitative data mainly form secondary sources.The total cost of implementing bioenergy production will be estimated using the full cost accounting approach. This approach generally accounts for costs such as variable costs (e.g., land preparation, planting, fertilization, weed control, irrigation, transportation and marketing and processing) and fixed costs (structures, machinery, equipment for processing unit, and rental cost).In evaluating the benefits and costs, the Net Present Value (NPV) of producing advance biofuel will be calculated. The NPV is the present worth of a stream of net benefits over time.The overall approach is to estimate the average annual costs and benefits for production for growers. This approach should include the initial investment cost and also take into account the time value of money. Therefore, the overall cost estimates will be calculated as Annual Equivalent Costs (AEC) To calculate AEC, present value of all costs (PVC) of production will be transformed into an equivalent annuity with annual payment equal to AEC. Similarly, Annual Equivalent Revenues (AER) will also be estimated. Also payback period, benefit: cost ratio and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) will be assessed as investment evaluation criteria.Assessments will be performed for the production of advanced biofuel, as well as generation of electricity from woody biomass, hence information generated from this project will not only help biofuel producers in investment decision making, but also electricity producers in decision making from incorporating woody biomass as a substitute for coal.Objective 3: Determine the factors that inhibit adaptation of short rotation woody biomassA survey will be carried out to identify farmer awareness of attitudes toward growing short rotation woody biomass; and target market (farmers and related stakeholders) awareness; and interest in establishing such plantations. Evaluation factors will include, perceived obstacles, perceptions of potential immediate farm benefits, and perceptions of potential for farming community benefits, perceived training needs, broader workforce availability to support distribution systems. Regression models will be used to determine important factors responsible for adaptation to this technology (establishment of short rotation woody biomass for bioenergy production).Objective 4: Determine environmental spillover of woody biomass via analysis of carbon stock and net energy balance.The framework for net energy productivity will be assessed and will provide the basis for consistent comparison of alternatives and can be expanded in future work to include downstream biofuel production, greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of government policy and input pricing.The woody biomass selected for ethanol production will have to be determined by: (1) energy balance (defined as the renewable energy output per unit of fossil energy input) and (2) cost of production. For example, Pimentel and Patzek (2005) argue that more fossil fuel energy is consumed in producing ethanol from corn grain than is contained in the biofuel.Therefore, the goal under this objective is to estimate a net energy value for biomass production, for the standard, average plantation using adaptations of NEV. More specifically, net energy balance accounting will consist of:estimate energy associated with equipment using an input-output energy matrix analysis with combined process analysis methods if necessary.estimate energy associated with organic and inorganic inputs (fertilizer, insecticide, water etc.).estimate energy associated with transportation, andcompare with estimated outputs.A comprehensive review of concepts, procedures, and relevant studies will be conducted using review of literature on net energy balance. The methodology for estimating net energy balance for Paulowina and Sweetgum is input-output (I-O) analysis. This involves computation of direct energy or the energy used on-site for the production of these species, as well as indirect energy or energy used off-site to manufacture inputs. Indirect energy totals for feedstock production will be derived using I-O tables and process analysis. For example, energy embodied in inputs (fertilizer and pesticides, and seed stock) will be calculated using process analysis, Energy embodied in machinery will be analyze using USDA GREET model and I-O tables, energy in farm structures and buildings will be done using I-O tables.