Introduction
Petroleum-based feedstocks have dominated as industrial inputs over the past century. The rising petroleum prices, a decline in petroleum reserves, and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products are resulting in numerous opportunities for bio-based materials in the marketplace. This …
Introduction
Numerous opportunities are emerging to expand industrial needs through the production and processing of biological materials. Biological feedstocks can be used as a substitute for petroleum-based feedstocks to make a variety of bulk, intermediate, and specialty chemicals. Biomass-related chemical …
Introduction
Energy is one of the main applications of woody biomass and forest residues. Wood is the main source of energy for more than 2 billion people and provides more than 14 percent of the world’s total energy1. Demand for …
Introduction
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, tasteless, colorless, mildly toxic alcohol having a fairly distinguishable odor. It is the same alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and is used alternatively for industrial purposes as …
Introduction
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of renewable and energy efficiency portfolio policies. These policies are currently being used in several states across the country to assist with various objectives related to energy and sustainability. Although similar in …
Introduction
Tax savings are often used to promote economic development in the United States. A case in point is Congress’ Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. This landmark energy tax law provides major tax cuts to producers to boost renewable …
Introduction
Private forest landowners represent the first step in the forest bioenergy supply chain. Their production of a cellulosic feedstock is central to the emerging bioenergy industry and is equally important to their own forest-based economic and ecological revenue streams. …
Introduction
Bioenergy, including forest biomass for energy, is a promising energy source. As outlined in other fact sheets, this source of energy has many benefits to society and the environment. Advancing the production and consumption of bioenergy will likely require …
Introduction and Background
Developing a forest bioenergy industry can have a number of positive effects on the rural economies of the South. Employment, tax-base, rural infrastructure, economic diversification, and a host of other areas can be affected by …
Introduction
Woody biomass is converted into useful forms of energy (i.e. solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels) as well as useful products (e.g. polymers, bio-plastics, char, pellets, and acids) using a number of technological processes. Thermochemical processes depend on the relationship …
