U.S. bioeconomy set to soar in biofuel production
The U.S. Department of Energy’s latest Billion-Ton Report, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, suggests that the United States could significantly expand its bioeconomy by producing more than 1 billion tons per year of plant-based biomass for renewable fuels. This increase in biomass production would not compromise the country’s ability to meet demands for food, feed, fiber and conventional forest products.
The 2023 Billion-Ton Report, the fourth in a series of national biomass resource assessments, identifies potential feedstocks for biofuel production to decarbonize transportation and industrial processes. The report covers a wide range of biomass sources, including winter oilseed crops, trees, purpose-grown energy crops, macroalgae and waste from cities. It also explores emerging resources like algae, which could boost biomass availability by an additional 250 million tons per year.
Currently, the U.S. uses about 342 million tons of biomass annually to generate 5% of the nation’s energy. With a mature market and sufficient supply, the report estimates that the country could produce 60 to 85 billion gallons per year of sustainable aviation fuel, meeting 100% of the sector’s demand by 2050.
The report highlights the importance of diversifying biomass sources and provides detailed insights into biomass production capacity at the county level. It emphasizes the need for strategic planning and investment to support the growth of both rural and urban bioeconomies.
For the seed industry and farmers, the report presents opportunities for additional income through the cultivation of hardy perennial crops like poplar trees and switchgrass, as well as winter oilseed crops such as carinata and pennycress. It also underscores the role of cities in supporting a circular economy by capturing waste for biomass production.
The Billion-Ton Report series, which began in 2005, has been instrumental in guiding decision-making at local, regional and national levels. It provides valuable data for government officials, industry leaders, farmers and researchers to support the development of a cleaner, more sustainable future through biotechnologies and biomanufacturing.
Overall, the 2023 Billion-Ton Report represents two decades of thorough analysis, considering the potential of various biomass sources, economic and environmental factors and evolving technologies. It charts a path toward a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, highlighting the critical role of biomass in achieving this goal.
