Biomass supply, logistics, and factors that affect logistics

Abstract

Biofuels are expected to contribute to our decarbonization goals given their broad applications across various sectors ranging from fuels, chemicals, and bioproducts. Yet, mobilizing biomass resources can be a challenging proposition owing to a range of factors including, on the one hand, resource availability, feedstock variability, logistics, and infrastructure and economic viability; producer engagement, policy, and regulatory environment, on the other. Meanwhile, ensuring the production of biomass does not lead to unintended environmental consequences and competition with food crops is also paramount. The formation of a network of willing farmers who can provide feedstocks to the market is indeed important, yet the uncertainties associated with establishing the essential supply chains pose significant barriers to the growth of a national biorefining industry. For woody biomass, the process of urbanization and its role in diminishing forestlands make accessibility of forest resources an inherent challenge. The mobilization of these resources then hinges on factors including individual landowner decisions and the establishment of cooperative networks to leverage scale economies. Growth in the bio-based industries will likely necessitate innovations in agricultural and forestry-related equipment and workforce. Furthermore, the harvesting, collection, logistics, and preprocessing operations designed to meet the quality requirements of downstream conversion operations will influence the quantity of biomass mobilized and the final cost of the delivered biomass.