Combining simulation and life cycle modelling to identify opportunities for advanced biorefineries

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This proposal will support renewable energy implementation, and in particular energy or fuel derived from Canada's biomass resources. Right now it can be argued that Canada does not get the best value for the products of forestry and agricultural activity; in recent decades we have seen significant job loss and a corresponding increase in the `unused' portion of biomass, especially in the forest sector. Developing the bioeconomy - producing heat, fuels, chemicals and materials from biomass - could add more value to our economy, increase employment, and provide our society a greater ranger of sustainable and renewable products. As we see it, the challenge is twofold. First, we need to develop an approach to bioeconomy development that does not adversely impact the existing forest sector (which is already under significant constraint) or require a shift in the use of food outputs from agriculture (a practice which has put corn-based ethanol under the microscope around the world). Thus the focus must be on managing underutilized streams of biomass - residues from farming, low-value biomass from forestry - and diverting them into higher-value applications. Second, we need to develop an approach to the bioeconomy which complements Canada's strong conventional energy sector. For too long, development of bio-based fuels or chemicals has been seen as competitive with petro-based products. We must explore synergistic approaches to development which will allow Canada to lever its powerful energy sector in developing renewable and sustainable alternatives. Achieving these benefits requires better tools, which will not only help us better manage the flow of biomass through the forestry and agricultural sectors, but will also highlight opportunities for developing bio-based energy, fuel, chemical, and material production which serve to complement existing farming, forest product, and energy outputs. The goal of the proposed research program is to better understand the relation between feedstock choice, temporal and spatial planning, and product selection on the economic and environmental impacts the emerging bioeconomy. To achieve this goal, our objectives are (a) to develop a spreadsheet-based simulation & life cycle assessment (LCA) tool, (b) to use this tool to examine a series of case studies in Canada (interior BC, northeastern Ontario, and north-central Quebec) where a mix of agricultural and forest biomass is available or could be established, (c) to simulate the activities of a biorefinery operation based on a range of feedstock and product choices, and (d) to use the results of these simulations to select biorefinery pathways with minimal cost and GHG signatures. This will allow us to answer a number of key questions. Firstly, the biomass available varies in terms of quantity and quality, depending on where you are and what downstream requirements are. Information on biomass quality needs to accompany data on biomass quantity for an effective evaluation. Secondly, existing tools have difficulty reflecting the passage of time, particularly when environmental impacts are being considered; the proposed research will use a logistical model approach to incorporate time. Thirdly, there are a wide range of existing and emerging bioproducts to consider, some of which might be particularly complementary to existing sectors (i.e. oilsands operations), and separate models have been developed to evaluate different products or systems; our approach will allow us to select appropriate models and test a wider range of products. This research program will help guide new bioeconomy activity to be better integrated with existing forestry and/or agricultural industries, and to better complement Canada's strong energy sector.