Bioenergy Update: A U.S. Outlook

Executive Summary

In this time of transition to alternative energy sources, all sectors are under pressure to reduce their GHG emissions. Research is underway on many fronts with the result that placing bets regarding winners and losers in the future energy picture is risky. Within this environment, the future role of biomass in contributing to future needs for energy and industrial chemicals is open to question.

Heat and power, liquid fuels, industrial chemicals – all are areas wherein biomass-derived energy and chemicals play a current role. With regard to chemical feedstocks, it is technically possible to obtain from biomass almost all of the industrial chemicals now derived from fossil fuels. But faced with competition from other means of producing energy and chemicals, will biomass play an ever-greater role in the future or will prospects dim going forward?

Our assessment suggests a bright near- to mid-term future for biomass, especially regarding liquid fuels for commercial transportation. However, with the exception of aviation fuel, we see an uncertain and less promising future for biomass in both energy and industrial chemical markets over the long term.