Lecture 19

Question 1

Bioenergy value chain

Answer 1

1. Organism
2. Cultivation
3. Harvest
4. Transport
5. Processing
6. Distribution

Question 2

Organism

Answer 2

New and existing species and varieties/lines are assessed and developed

Question 3

Bottom line of organism

Answer 3

Initially, this component of the value chain can be expensive, but over time it can be reduced

Question 4

Cultivation

Answer 4

The organism must be grown in a fashion that maximizes yield per area

Question 5

In cultivation, inputs should be maximized/minimized

Answer 5

Minimized

Question 6

Cultivation: typical inputs that require energy/resources

Answer 6

• Planting/inoculation
• Nutrients
• Water
• Weeds/competition control

Question 7

Bottom line of cultivation

Answer 7

Low input organisms are required to keep the cost of cultivation low

Question 8

Harvest

Answer 8

Collect the bioresource

Question 9

Focus of efficient harvesting techniques

Answer 9

Minimizing energy use

Question 10

The more machinery/labor required for harvest, the more ____ required

Answer 10

Energy/money

Question 11

Bottom line of harvest

Answer 11

Can be optimized but it is unlikely to be removed altogether

Question 12

Transport

Answer 12

Requirements may be minimal for some processes prior to processing, but some processes require significant transport

Question 13

Bottom line of transport

Answer 13

Should be minimized; moving material requires an enormous input of energy

Question 14

Is processing expensive

Answer 14

Yes. Significant R&D and capital required

Question 15

Why should pretreatment be minimized

Answer 15

Each step is costly

Question 16

The value of the product is directly linked to _____

Answer 16

The success of the process

Question 17

Bottom line of processing

Answer 17

Biochemistry/engineering/economics/marketing merge at this point - effective management and risk assessment is critical

Question 18

What is required for distribution

Answer 18

Infrastructure; “drop-in” fuel infrastructure is less of a challenge

Question 19

If the product is sold to consumers, the market price of your product will have a critical ______

Answer 19

Lower limit

Question 20

Distribution is linked to ____

Answer 20

Demand

Question 21

Bottom line of distribution

Answer 21

The market price of the product will make or break the entire chain

Question 22

How to reduce the cost of bioenergy production

Answer 22

Savings at any step of the bioenergy value chain