The impact of agricultural residue yield range on the delivered cost to a biorefinery in the Peace River region of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Agricultural residue feedstock availability in a given region can vary significantly over the 20–30+ year lifetime of a biorefinery. Delivered cost of biomass feedstock is dependent upon transportation distance and equipment optimisation, both of which are largely dictated by biomass productivity. This makes productivity the primary determinant of feedstock cost. Using the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) dynamic model and a round bale, small grains residue scenario, harvest and delivery cost were modelled for minimum, average, and maximum biomass yields at four potential biorefinery sites in the Peace River region of Alberta, Canada. Biorefinery capacities ranged from 50 000 to 500 000 tonnes of feedstock input per year. Delivery cost is a linear function of transportation distance and can be combined with a harvest power function to create a generalised delivered cost function for agricultural residues. The range in delivered cost is substantial and is an important consideration for the operating costs of a biorefinery.