BACKGROUND
There is an increasing need to review raw materials for biofuels and the sustainability of biofuel production.
The current high price of wheat and other grain crops makes them increasingly expensive raw materials for bioethanol production. In addition, concerns are rising over the sustainability of imported biofuels from developing countries, where natural habitats are under threat. In some cases the net energy gain from producing biofuels is minimal, i.e. as much energy is used to produce the biofuel as is generated by the fuel itself. Most biofuel production worldwide is heavily subsidised by government tax incentives so that political decisions can affect future production. These issues are all attracting attention in the media and need to be addressed head on if biofuels are to succeed as an acceptable source of renewable energy.
THE ACUMENTIA OFFER
Acumentia’s consultants have a wide experience in the biofuel sector. We can bring together technical engineering and scientific skills and strong commercial expertise to:
Review biofuel production, markets and incentive schemes on a global scale.
Identify lower cost by-products or wastes as raw materials for biofuels.
Compare the economics and sustainability of alterative process routes.
Identify the potential for generating energy on site from waste materials.
Develop markets for by-products from biofuel production.
Select optimum biofuel product for available raw materials, location and operation.
Economic assessment of biofuel production from sunlight using algae.
Identification of opportunities for grant funding of development work.
DELIVERABLES
Market reports on biofuels.
Reports on the potential for companies to exploit energy from waste or by-products and the identification of new sources of raw material for biofuels.
Cost analysis and comparison of different biofuel production processes.
Audits on sustainability of biofuel production or import routes.
Audits on the potential for operators to produce energy from waste.
Reports on biofuel byproduct market opportunities.
ACTIVITIES
Sourcing raw materials.
Raw material analysis.
Economic models.
Business planning.
Market research.
Investment planning.