Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Biomass Feedstock Production and Provision:
Overview, Current Status, and Challenges
Yogendra Shastri and K. C. Ting
Abstract
Biomass-based renewable energy will play a critical role in meeting the
future global energy demands. Lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural resi-
due, perennial grasses, and woody biomass, will constitute a major portion of the
feedstock for these biomass-based energy systems. However, successful transition
to this second-generation bioenergy system will require cost-effi cient, reliable, and
sustainable biomass feedstock production and provision (BFPP). The BFPP system
includes the operations of agronomic production of energy crops and physical pro-
cessing and handling/delivery of biomass, as well as other enabling logistics. On the
technical side, biological, physical, and chemical sciences need to be integrated
with engineering and technology to ensure effective and effi cient production of bio-
mass feedstock. However, low energy and bulk densities, seasonal availability, and
distributed supply create unique challenges for BFPP. Lack of experience and estab-
lished standards provide additional challenges for large-scale production and provi-
sion of energy crops. The aim of this topic is to summarize the current state of
knowledge, identify research gaps, and provide future research directions on the
topic of BFPP. Towards that end, the goal of this chapter is to set the foundation for
the subsequent chapters that focus on specifi c components within this system. This
BFPP system and its components are briefl y described, current status and chal-
lenges are identifi ed, and the research needs are highlighted. A typical production
system based on current understanding and technological availability is also
described. The chapter, therefore, provides an introduction to the advanced chapters
that appear subsequently in the topic.
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