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Innovative Energy & Research | ISSN: 2576-1463 | Volume 7
Renewable Energy and Resources
Energy Materials and Fuel Cell Research
2
nd
International Conference on
&
August 27-28, 2018 | Boston, USA
Spatialagent-basedmodelingfordedicatedenergycropadoptionandcellulosicbiofuelcommercialization
Enze Jin
and
John W Sutherland
Purdue University, USA
D
edicated bioenergy crops, such as perennial grass and short rotation trees, are qualified as cellulosic biofuel feedstocks
to meet the requirement for advanced biofuel in the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard. The utilization of dedicated
energy crops for cellulosic biofuels is still in the early stage or pilot scale, and the existing cellulosic biorefineries are yet to be
commercialized. This study develops an agent-based model to simulate the spatial diffusion of switchgrass (
Panicum virgatum
L
.) adoption in Indiana cropland from 2015 to 2027 under various biofuel market scenarios. Results indicate that it is only
economically viable to produce 1,115 million gallons (4220.7 million liters) cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass annually in
Indiana from 2015 to 2023 given an average annual farm gate price of $123.93 t-1 for feedstock. This study also finds that the
high productivity of switchgrass can increase farmers’ adoption rates and secure a stable feedstock supply. Moreover, it reveals
that the high equipment costs required for scaling up production capacity and the highly variable operating cost of cellulosic
biofuel production will inhibit the viability of commercializing cellulosic biofuels with a stable supply of feedstock. Financial
incentives for cellulosic biofuel production have a significant impact on promoting the adoption of dedicated energy crops in
Indiana. This paper provides useful insights for biorefinery inventors and policymakers to facilitate the commercialization of
cellulosic biofuels by understanding the effects of farmers’ decisions on the adoption of dedicated energy crops.
Biography
Enze Jin is a PhD candidate in Environmental and Ecological Engineering in Purdue University. He has a Master degree of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor degree of Mechanical Engineering from China Agricultural University. His research focuses on the sustainability
assessment of bioenergy systems in terms of environmental, economic, and social impacts.
ejin@purdue.eduEnze Jin et al., Innov Ener Res 2018, Volume 7
DOI: 10.4172/2576-1463-C2-005