Lifecycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

This chapter examines life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) for evaluating biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. LCA considers environmental impacts across cultivation, conversion and utilization by establishing goals, inventorying flows, assessing impacts and interpreting results. TEA assesses economic viability by estimating capital, operating costs and production costs. Case studies apply these analyses to thermochemical and biochemical pathways using various biomass feedstocks. Challenges with biomass conversion include data availability and quality issues, uncertainty and boundary definitions. Standardized methods and technological advances are addressing these challenges to improve assessment consistency and accuracy. Integrating LCA and TEA can provide deeper insights through broader sustainability metrics. These analytical tools can help optimize biomass conversion technologies and inform policies by identifying environmental hotspots and costs. As biomass conversion methods advance alongside supporting policies, LCA and TEA will continue facilitating realization of sustainable biofuels at commercial scale from lignocellulosic biomass.