Bioenergy Systems Technology Integration and Development, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL and ANTARES have provided the foundation analyses for technology deployment and market penetration for biomass power technologies. They are currently working to develop the foundation for the biomass gasification based BioRefinery. These analyses help support and backup program goals, GPRA metrics, EIA forecasts for biomass technologies, and a host of scenario analyses such as a high oil/gas price scenario and a carbon constraint scenario. In addition, the DOE Biomass Program is frequently asked to estimate the benefits and impacts of new initiatives, ongoing research, and occasionally specific projects on a very tight schedule. ANTARES’ analyses help program management to respond to inquiries about program effectiveness and audits of program activities, and to support budget preparation.

During the implementation phase of the bioenergy initiative, ANTARES is providing products designed to assist NREL in assessing the role and impact of biomass technologies for power and fuels production. Near-term assessment needs include: 1) examining the role of biomass in hydrogen production particularly for fuel cell and fuel cell/gas turbine combined-cycle applications, 2) assembling information on oil refining as a context for BioRefinery development, 3) researching progress in biomass syngas clean-up and upgrading technologies, 4) estimating the potential for black liquor gasification technology penetration, considering the progress of similar technology innovations, and 5) reporting on trends in MSW separation technologies as they affect the supply of clean biomass feedstocks, particularly for the gasification-based BioRefinery.