Publications

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) State-of-Industry Report: Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Pathway

7/1/2024

This technical report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) details the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production process, with a particular focus on the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway, which is currently the only commercially deployed SAF production pathway to produce a significant volume of fuel. The report outlines and evaluates the HEFA supply chain and identifies obstacles that could hinder future commercial production. While specific to SAF, this report may offer information relevant to the production of other liquid transportation fuels due to the more widely applicable nature of producing hydrocarbon fuels.

Authors: Oscar Rosales Calderon, Ling Tao, Zia Abdullah, Michael Talmadge, Anelia Milbrandt

2017 Bioenergy Industry Status Report

2/20/2020

This report provides a snapshot of the bioenergy industry status at the end of 2017. The report compliments other annual market reports from the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) offices and is supported by DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). The 2017 Bioenergy Industry Status Report focuses on past year data covering multiple dimensions of the bioenergy industry and does not attempt to make future market projections. The report provides a balanced and unbiased assessment of the industry and associated markets. It is openly available to the public and is intended to compliment International Energy Agency and industry reports with a focus on DOE stakeholder needs.

Authors: Moriarty, K.; Milbrandt, A.; Lewis, J.; Schwab, A.

2015 Bioenergy Market Report

2/27/2017

This report is an update to the 2013 report and provides a status of the markets and technology development involved in growing a domestic bioenergy economy as it existed at the end of 2015. It compiles and integrates information to provide a snapshot of the current state and historical trends influencing the development of bioenergy markets. This version features details on the two major bioenergy markets: biofuels and biopower and an overview of bioproducts that enable bioenergy production. The information is intended for policy-makers as well as technology developers and investors tracking bioenergy developments. It also highlights some of the key energy and regulatory drivers of bioenergy markets.

Authors: Warner. E.; Moriarty, K.; Lewis, J.; Milbrandt, A.; Schwab, A.

2016 Survey of Non-Starch Alcohol and Renewable Hydrocarbon Biofuels Producers

2/8/2017

In order to understand the anticipated status of the industry for non-starch ethanol and renewable hydrocarbon biofuels as of the end of calendar year 2015, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) updated its annual survey of U.S. non-starch ethanol and renewable hydrocarbon biofuels producers. This report presents the results of this survey update, describes the survey methodology, and documents important changes since the 2015 survey published at the end of 2015

Authors: Warner, E.; Schwab, A.; Bacovsky, D.

Impact of Biodiesel Fuels on Air Quality Task 4 Report: Impacts of Biodiesel Fuel Use on PM

4/1/2003

Biodiesel fuels have been investigated for a number of reasons, such as an extender for petroleum-based fuels derived from a domestic renewable energy source. But lately the primary interest is the potential for a more environmentally benign fuel. The potential for exhaust emission reductions and reductions in emissions toxicity have the most interest. Several studies have shown that large reductions in hydrocarbon, particulate, and carbon monoxide emissions are expected from its use either as a neat fuel or as a blend with petroleum-derived fuels.

There are several areas in the United States that are currently in non-attainment for particulate matter of 10 pm or less (PM₁₀). In addition, there is a new fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) which may result in new areas being in non-attainment for PM. Biodiesel fuel use is estimated to reduce several precursors to PM (e.g., PM, SO₂, and VOC) and increase others (NO_x). Thus, the net affect of biodiesel fuel use on ambient PM levels is unclear based on analyzing changes in emissions alone, so it is assessed using air quality modeling.

Authors: Morris, R.E.; Jia, Y.

Plant/Crop-Based Renewable Resources 2020: A Vision to Enhance U.S. Economic Security Through Renewable Plant/Crop-Based Resource Use

1/1/1998

Vision written by the U.S. agricultural, forestry, and chemical communities based on a workshop in December, 1996. The vision outlines what plant/crop-based resources are, and how investment and utilization of these resources could be developed by the year 2020.

Authors: U.S. DOE Biomass Program