Recipient Organization
STATE UNIV OF NEW YORK
(N/A)
SYRACUSE,NY 13210
Performing Department
Forest & Natural Resources Management
Non Technical Summary
Taken as a whole this research will provide a definitive assessment of the technical, andenvironmental, impacts of broad use of woody biomass for the production of transportation fuels.This assessment is necessary if forest biomass is to be widely used for biofuels that require, inadvance, an understanding of the consequences of such a course of action. In addition, LifeCycle Inventory data and Assessments (LCI/LCA) on greenhouse gas emissions will benecessary to understand qualification of biofuels made from forest based biomass under theEnergy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. The impacts of different policies andother alternatives management strategies will be characterized as sensitivity scenarios to betterinform the adoption of appropriate policies, marketing, and investment strategies to reach energyindependence goals with reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while effectively managingcellulosic resources.Awarded Start Date: 10/1/14Sponsor: Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM)
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this work is to provide DOE with high-quality information that allows for adetailed, comprehensive analysis of the benefits and liabilities of using woody feedstocks for theproduction of biofuels on a regionally specific basis. Specifically, this work will provide1. data that allows for comprehensive LCA evaluation of the implications of using forestand manufacturing residues from current, regionally specific commercial systems for theproduction of biofuels. These systems include softwoods in the Pacific Northwest (PNW)and Southeast (SE) US, and N01iheastern (NE) US.2. data on the potential for using regionally-specific dedicated SRWC for productionbiofuels, e.g., Poplar in the PNW, Eucalyptus in the SE and Willow in the NE.3. an LCA of the impacts of using woody biomass as a feedstock for different biochemicaland thermochemical biofuels production processes4. an analysis of the impacts of natural variations in wood composition and pretreatmentsproduction scenarios on the LCA of wood based biofuels5. an analysis of the GHG implications of using woody feedstocks for the production ofboth biofuels and the current commercial suite of short-lived and durable wood products.
Project Methods
In this task three commercially-relevant, regional woody biomass production systems that aredominant in their respective regions will be studied. These include softwood Douglasfir/hemlock systems common in the PNW, plantation loblolly pine systems common in the SE,and softwood fir/spruce forestry systems common in the NE US. For each system a LCI data setwill be developed. This LCI data set will be based on Cl.Jrrent commercial practice, and thereforefocus on forest residue collection and forest thinnings. Because the current commercial woodproduction systems have long production cycles that vary from 25-65 years, average yearly inputvalues will be derived using forest inventory simulation data for each region in order to detailboth the quantity of the inputs and the timing of the inputs. Regional differences in the growthrates and commercial thinning practices will also be considered.The LCI will also detail the timing and mass of biomass available for biofuels production, inconjunction with the continued production of paper and durable wood products. The disruptivenature of wood pellets being exp01ied for the European markets will also be considered. Thistask will include a consideration of the impacts of improving forest silviculture, biofuel markets,and harvesting technology.Process steps will include the collection of all input data for each forest management andbiomass collection activity (machine capacity utilization, fuel use, labor, lubricants etc.) tosupport the development of the life cycle inventories (LCI) by region. Sensitivity analysis willfocus on those management and collection alternatives that may affect energy use and GHGemissions or the cost of collection.