Assessment of feasible site locations for biofuel production based on technoeconomic modelling and GHG impact analysis

Abstract

Large scale bioenergy is expected to play an increasing role in the industry, heat and power production and transportation in the future. Both biomass availability and cost-effective mobilization are necessary to facilitate large bioenergy production sites. This study uses a Geographical Information System approach to map the economic and environmental feasibility of future biofuel production sites via Hydrothermal Liquefaction. The methodology includes process modelling, biomass and infrastructure mapping, technoeconomic analysis and greenhouse gas impact assessment and is implemented having Denmark as case study. Three supply-chains were evaluated for the upgrading of the biofuel which are chemical stabilizing, on-site hydrotreating, and centralised hydrotreating. The two feedstocks assessed were imported forestry and domestic agricultural residue resulting in a total of six different implementation scenarios. The results for the case study indicate that for forestry residue the proximity to an industrial port is the most dominating factor when determining feasible site locations. The performance in the agricultural residue scenarios is more impacted by infrastructure parameters. In the on-site hydrotreating scenario the best performing locations are found close to the hydrogen line to reduce connection expenses. For centralised hydrotreating the results favour being close to existing refineries to reduce intermediate transportation of the biocrude.