Exploring the present and future of biomass recovery units: technological innovation, policy incentives and economic challenges

Abstract

Biomass recovery units present a significant area of research due to their implications for energy security and environmental sustainability. However, a research gap remains concerning the challenges and cost-effectiveness of different biomass supply chains and recovery unit technologies. This study focus on the techno-economic evaluation of different biomass recovery technologies, and the role of policy and regulatory structures in their advancement. The findings highlight the role of complex supply networks in supporting biomass recovery units, presenting economic challenges distinct from fossil fuel industries. Geographic information systems and operations research have emerged as critical tools in enhancing precision in biomass logistics studies. They enable a thorough analysis of costs associated with biomass acquisition, storage, and transportation. The paper identifies a trend toward scaling-up biomass recovery units to reduce costs through capital intensification. However, beyond an optimal capacity, feedstock transportation costs increase, prompting an exploration of distributed processing strategies. The findings offer an understanding of the challenges and cost structures within the biomass sector. The identified challenges stress the need for continued research to improve the cost-effectiveness of biomass recovery technologies and the stability of biomass supply.

Keywords:

• Biomass energy
• biomass recovery units
• techno-economic analysis
• policy influence
• distributed processing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

LJRN was supported by proMetheus – Research Unit on Energy, Materials and Environment for Sustainability – UIDP/05975/2020, funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia.