Biomass Resource Data

ORNL’s Integrated Analysis of biomass feedstocks provides consistent and documented data on biomass resources to DOE and a wide range of potential stakeholders in a large-scale biorefinery industry. A core product is consistent estimates of the price, quantity, and quality of existing and potential biomass supplies at the county, state, and national levels. These estimates take into account competition for those supplies and transport and environmental constraints to their acquisition. Research components include the development of analysis methodologies, and analytical tools; development of national biomass resource databases; and, applying the data, tools, and methodologies to a wide variety of analyses that require information on the costs and supplies of various biomass resources.

ORNL uses a systematic, integrated approach that depends heavily on hierarchically linked “process-type” models to encompass economic, geographic and environmental constraints. It is necessary to depend on models because, unlike other fuels, there is no large scale market for biomass that can supply empirical estimates or be used for trend analysis. Furthermore, the resource is dynamic and includes components that will not be developed until markets exist. Capturing geographical specificity is important because biomass quantities and prices will vary with location, and transportation costs can be high. The environmental constraints imposed by climate, soil, and land use are also incorporated into the system of models. By taking an hierarchical modeling approach, underlying assumptions are documented and consistent between analyses. Wherever appropriate, ORNL uses USDA data, standard modeling approaches, and adapt preexisting, documented models.

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The links below point to the online versions of many publications. Due to copyright restrictions, not all the materials authored by ORNL staff and collaborators are available on BIN.

BIOBIB, a searchable bibliographic database, can be used to find additional topical information written by ORNL staff and collaborators. Your local library can help you get copies of these items.

Many of the documents require a recent version of Acrobat Reader which is available on the Adobe website.

Turhollow, A. 2002. Methodology for costing production and delivery options for energy crops. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.

Perlack, R. D., and A. F. Turhollow. 2003. Feedstock Cost Analysis of Corn Stover Residues for Further Processing. Energy 28:1395-1403. Abstract (pdf).

New  Gallaher, P. W., M. Dikeman, J. Fritz, E. Wailes, W. Gauthier, and H. Shapouri. 2003. Supply and Social Cost Estimates for Biomass from Crop Residues in the United States. Environmental and Resource Economics 24(4):335-358. Abstract (pdf). Link to related USDA report.

New Graham, R. L. July 29, 2003. ORNL Analysis Activities. Presentation at Analysis Round Table Meeting, National Renewabl Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO.

New  Walsh, M. E., D.G. De la Torre Ugarte, H. Shapouri and S.P. Slinsky. 2003. Bioenergy Crop Production in the United States -- Potential Quantities, Land Use Changes, and Economic Impacts on the Agricultural Sector. Environmental and Resource Economics 24(4):313-333. Abstract (pdf).

New De la Torre Ugarte, D.G., M.E Walsh, H. Shapouri, and S.P. Slinsky. February 2003. The Economic Impacts of Bioenergy Crop Production on U.S. Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Chief Economist, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Agricultural Economic Report No. 816.