Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 21, 2024

The United States has the potential to triple its bioeconomy by harnessing over 1 billion tons annually of plant-based biomass for renewable energy, alongside satisfying demands for food, feed, fiber, traditional forest products, and exports, as unveiled in the Department of Energy's latest Billion-Ton Report conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Presenting a roadmap for a sustainable energy future, the 2023 Billion-Ton Report (BT23) marks the fourth edition in a series of comprehensive national biomass resource assessments over the past two decades. BT23 delves into available feedstocks poised for the production of biofuels aimed at decarbonizing transportation and industrial sectors.

The assessment evaluates varying market maturities to estimate biomass production capacities, pricing, and geographic distribution from around 60 sources. These include winter oilseed crops, forestry waste to mitigate wildfires, dedicated energy crops, ocean-farmed macroalgae, urban waste, and CO2 from industrial emissions. Emerging sources like algae could further augment biomass supplies by 250 million tons yearly, contingent on economic feasibility.

Currently, the U.S. utilizes approximately 342 million tons of biomass annually, contributing to 5% of the nation's energy needs. With an optimal market condition offering between 1.1 and 1.5 billion tons of biomass, the U.S. could potentially generate 60 to 85 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually, achieving the goal of fully meeting the aviation sector's fuel requirements by 2050. This biomass could also be instrumental in generating sufficient electricity to supplant current fossil fuel-based power generation.

The report underscores the multifaceted sources required for biomass supply and pinpoints biomass production opportunities at the county level, considering local circumstances and emerging technologies. It provides resources and tools via the DOE's Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework website.

"An economy centered on clean, sustainable biotechnologies and biomanufacturing is achievable," stated Stephen Streiffer, ORNL Director. "BT23 offers critical insights for devising science-based solutions towards a sustainable and affluent future."

Matthew Langholtz, a natural resources economist at ORNL and project lead, emphasized, "This report charts a course for realizing a biomass production capacity that aligns with economic and environmental guidelines, including safeguarding food production."

Farmers and bioeconomy stakeholders are encouraged to explore the report for biomass production prospects. Perennial crops like poplar and switchgrass, requiring lesser water and fertilizer, alongside winter oilseed crops, could enhance farm incomes. Urban waste recovery also promotes a circular economy.

Spanning two decades, this series of reports have provided foundational data influencing local to national policy and decision-making. This iteration integrates inputs from over 52 experts across federal agencies, national laboratories, academia, and the industry, underscoring a commitment to bolstering both rural and urban bioeconomies for a cleaner future.