Sam Jackson
Southeastern Region
GIS Efforts
University of TennesseeOffice of Bioenergy ProgramsKnoxville, TN [email protected]
Research Assistant Professor
Overall Efforts/Project
Continuation literature review for data and information in previously conducted studies
Collecting data related new and current feedstock studies in the region (switchgrass, woody biomass, crops, etc)
Significant work on woody biomass availability and siting models done
Biofuels Facility Location Analysis Modeling Endeavor
Brad Wilson, Burt English Biorefinery site
evaluation in 16 southeastern states
Combines: Suitability analysis
based on geographic features
Feedstock supply analysis
• Currently focused on switchgrass as the feedstock
• Uses crop zones derived from SSURGO soils database and county boundaries
BIOFLAME
• Incorporates:– Transportation networks – roads, rail, barge– Crop yield, budgets, price, and land-use
information
• Model calculates break-even price for crop competition, marginal costs of transportation, and identifies optimal sites
BIOFLAME
Input Parameters
Suitability Analysis
Showing areas near major roads, railroads, navigable waterways, and major cities
Biorefineries and Feedstock
Eight facilities sited across Tennessee with associated feedstock
Site Comparison
Output table showing cost breakdown and crop acreages converted to switchgrass production
• Expansion to more states and energy feedstocks• Increased resolution for crop zones to field level• Increased resolution of crop yield information
using models like EPIC or ALMANAC• Preprocessing/depot collection facilities• Addition of:
– Policy implication function– Ethanol demand function
Ideas for Improvement/Future Plans
BioSAT: A web-based biomass site assessment tool
• Timothy M. Young, Donald G. Hodges, Timothy G. Rials – UT
• Robert C. Abt – NCSU• James H. Perdue, Andy Hartsell – USFS
Decision Model for Estimating Costs for Biomass Using Facilities
0 500000 1000000 1500000 2000000 2500000
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49
Cumulative Quantity (dry tons)
Ma
rgin
al
Co
st (
$/d
ry t
on
)Lower Bound
Upper Bound
Results – Mill Residues
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42
Ma
rgin
al C
ost
($
/dry
ton
)
0 250000 750000 1250000 1750000 2250000 2750000
Cumulative Quantity (dry tons)
Results – Ag Residues
Questions?