National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Energy Analysis: Energy Collaborative Analysis Initiative

Analysis Collaboration Topics

(G) Enhance Biofuel Resource Potential and Infrastructure Analysis

Enhance analysis of and tools for transportation fuel resource potential and infrastructure; initial topic is biofuels.

Topic collaborators are currently working on implementation plans, based on the workshop discussions — please watch these pages for updates. You can also find out more about the initiative participants on the collaborators page.

Activity No. 1 – Consistent, Vetted Biomass Supply Curves

Activity Update (March 2007) -

Zia Haq reported that:

• ORNL and INL are further diving into the Billion Ton Vision to regionalize the data and apply cost info to build supply curves.
• DOE's bioenergy office is working on industry benchmarking of their R&D portfolio by having an independent consultant look at their R&D portfolio and give chances of success and failure of R&D.

Activity Overview

• Goal: collaborate to create consistent, vetted biomass supply curves.
• Current related activities: There are several efforts underway to develop regional biomass supply curves, including:
  • ANL – GREET model vehicle and fuel technology options over a life cycle
  • USDA – FASOM model looks at land use competition
  • EIA – expand NEMS ability to deal with biomass, including supply curves
  • NETL/FE – scenario/transition analysis of gasification and coal to liquids
  • NREL – biomass model to address transition from petrol to biomass.
• Next steps:
  • Identify ongoing efforts
  • Coordinate multiple efforts to increase consistency and vet the regional biomass supply curves (Meeting in July 2006).
• Lead: NREL/John Sheehan (temporary)
• Participant: USDA – office of Energy, DOE-EERE-Biomass, DOE-EIA, DOE-EERE-PAE, USDA-USFS, USDA-Agricultural Research Service

Activity No. 2 – Evaluate DOE's Prototype Biomass Transition Model

Activity Update (January 2007) -

Zia Haq reported that the model is now being called the Biomass Scenario model. A prototype has been shared and a vetting meeting held in July. Further activities to improve the model are being undertake by DOE's bioenergy office and NREL.

Activity Overview

• Goal: Peer review of DOE's prototype biomass transition model as a tool for developing strategies and exploring different timings of deployment.
• Current related activities:
  • DOE developed a prototype biomass transition model that covers farmer and investment behavior in investing in a new biofuels supply chain
  • USDA has identified new work needed to model farmer behavior/decision-making using the FASOM model
• Next steps: DOE will share the prototype model with interested parties to (meeting in July06):
  • Identify new sources of data,
  • Look for ways to improve modeling methodology of transition.
• Lead: NREL/John Sheehan (temporary)
• Participant: USDA – Office of Energy, DOE-EERE-Biomass, DOE-EIA, DOE-EERE-PAE, USDA-USFS, USDA-Agricultural Research Service