Economic Assessment of Commercial Biofuel Production in Ireland

Abstract

This study assesses, from an economic standpoint, the most suitable production, provision and conversion paths for converting biomass (straw, willow, Miscanthus) into liquid fuels in Ireland. Results showed that an intermediate conversion step increased biodiesel production costs except at transport distances greater than those expected in Ireland. At a transport distance of 240 km Fischer-Tropsch diesel can be produced from 0.39–0.54 €l⁻¹ , suggesting biomass gasification and synthesis technologies have potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and that Fischer-Tropsch diesel can, with governmental support, be cost competitive with its fossil diesel equivalent.

Keywords:

• biofuel
• biomass
• fast pyrolysis
• Fischer-Tropsch diesel

Notes

Note: ^aNot applicable.

^bFischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Note: ^a22 yr observation period.

^b21 yr observation period.

^cDirect transport of biomass to gasification and Fischer-Tropsch conversion facility.

^dIntermediate step (fast pyrolysis) added to the conversion process.