Preface The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE/EERE) invests in a diverse portfolio of energy technologies to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and a secure energy future for America. The Biomass Program is an integral component of DOE/EERE’s efforts to diversify our energy supply. The program works with industrial partners, national laboratories, and other stakeholders to develop the technologies and systems needed to cost-effectively turn our abundant, domestic biomass resources into clean, affordable bioenergy. This report summarizes the results of a workshop sponsored by the DOE/EERE Biomass Program in Denver, Colorado, on December 2–3, 2009. The workshop was convened to identify and discuss challenges to the expanded use of biopower and the possible solutions, including technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) as well as policies and other market transformation mechanisms. This report underwent a formal public comment period during 2010. The comments that were received have been incorporated in this document in some form or addressed through other actions. For more information, contact: EERE Information Center 1-877-EERE-INFO (1-877-337-3463) www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter Biomass Program Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 www.eere.energy.gov/biomass Cover Photos Wood chips. Source: Verenium. Industrial turbine. Source: Brand X Pictures, Steven Allen Photography. Biomass gasifier at McNeil Station,Vermont. Source: NREL. Credit: Warren Gretz. Power lines. Source: IStock. Hybrid cottonwood tree farm. Source: NREL. Credit: Warren Gretz. BIOPOWER TECHNICAL STRATEGY WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................... 1 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 GENESIS OF THE REPORT ...................................................................................................................... 6 2 CURRENT STATE OF THE BIOPOWER INDUSTRY .............................................................................. 7 2.1 GENERATING CAPACITY AND FEEDSTOCKS ............................................................................................. 7 2.1.1 Generating Capacity ................................................................................................................. 7 2.1.2 Feedstocks ................................................................................................................................ 9 2.2 TRENDS AND DRIVERS ......................................................................................................................... 11 2.3 STATE OF TECHNOLOGY ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.1 Direct Firing ............................................................................................................................. 14 2.3.2 Combined Heat and Power ..................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Cofiring.................................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.4 Gasification ............................................................................................................................. 16 2.3.5 Pyrolysis .................................................................................................................................. 16 2.3.6 Torrefaction ............................................................................................................................. 17 2.3.7 Anaerobic Digestion ................................................................................................................ 17 3 PRETREATMENT AND CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES ...................................................................... 19 3.1 CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS ......................................................................................................... 19 3.1.1 Technical Challenges .............................................................................................................. 19 3.1.2 Non-Technical Challenges ...................................................................................................... 20 3.2 PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS............................................................. 21 3.2.1 RD&D Priorities ....................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.2 Priorities for Analysis............................................................................................................... 22 4 LARGE-SCALE SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................ 29 4.1 CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS ......................................................................................................... 29 4.1.1 Technical Challenges .............................................................................................................. 29 4.1.2 Non-Technical Challenges ...................................................................................................... 30 4.2 PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS............................................................. 31 4.2.1 RD&D Priorities ....................................................................................................................... 31 4.2.2 Priorities for Analysis............................................................................................................... 31 5 SMALLER-SCALE SYSTEMS ........................................................................................................ 39 5.1 CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS ......................................................................................................... 39 5.1.1 Technical Challenges .............................................................................................................. 39 5.1.2 Non-Technical Challenges ...................................................................................................... 41 5.2 PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS............................................................. 41 5.2.1 RD&D Priorities ....................................................................................................................... 41 5.2.2 Priorities for Analysis............................................................................................................... 42 6 FEEDSTOCKS FOR BIOPOWER..................................................................................................... 49 6.1 CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS ......................................................................................................... 49 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 6.1.1 Technical Challenges .............................................................................................................. 49 6.1.2 Non-Technical Challenges ...................................................................................................... 50 6.2 PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS ............................................................. 51 6.2.1 RD&D Priorities ....................................................................................................................... 51 6.2.2 Priorities for Analysis ............................................................................................................... 51 7 MARKET TRANSFORMATION AND OTHER ACTIONS ....................................................................... 59 7.1 MARKET AND OTHER NON-TECHNICAL BARRIERS ..................................................................................59 7.2 LESSONS LEARNED .............................................................................................................................. 61 7.3 CRITICAL STRATEGIES AND PRIORITIES FOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION ................................................ 61 8 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES........................................................................................................... 74 8.1 TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL ................................................................................................................ 74 8.2 POLITICAL AND SOCIETAL ..................................................................................................................... 74 Appendix A: List of Contributors ................................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B: Workshop Agenda ................................................................................................... B-1 Appendix C: References ................................................................................................................ C-1 Appendix D: Acronyms .................................................................................................................. D-1 Appendix E: State-level