Introduction to Advanced Biofuels

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Course objectives

Designed to be accessible to non-experts and the commercially-minded, this course describes the variety of feedstocks, routes and processes through which biomass can be converted to valuable fuels, energy and other co-products – on large scales and without the food competition issues of current biofuels. It is particularly aimed at business people who need to understand the basics of the science and technology but want it explained in a clear, hype-free manner and within its economic and commercial context.

It will provide an excellent basic grounding for attendees from a variety of sectors including biomass supply, processing, fuel distribution and end-use; plus investors and policymakers across the supply chain.

Level & Style

Although the course includes scientific and technical information and terminology, we assume no prior technical knowledge – indeed a key aim is to demystify the terminology and language you will encounter within the biofuels industry.

The course runs in a friendly, informal manner, encouraging discussions and questions to ensure that participants get the most out of their time. In order to better understand and illustrate the various topics, some simple calculations and other explanatory exercises may be incorporated. 

Approximate Timings    (include lunch plus morning and afternoon refreshment breaks):
 09:00 - 17:00  

 “Very solid introduction from a very knowledgeable instructor”

“Rich in discussion” 

“Good balance between theoretical and interactive”

Agenda Details

Next Generation Biomass Feedstocks

• Biomass as an energy store, including variations in source and energy content
• Calculating the energy potential (and limits) of biomass
• Land use and cultivation (solving the fuel vs. food debate)
• Sources of ligno-cellulosic feedstock, including both energy crops and wastes
• Algae: the different types, attributes and advantages for future biofuels
• Biomass pre-processing

Conversion Processes and Energy Pathways

• The scientific basics of energy conversion processes: including energy and emissions balances; chemical, biological and thermal pathways
• Pathways to liquid biofuels: bioethanol and biodiesel
• Pathways for gaseous fuels: syngas, biogas and biomethane
• Pathways to other synthetic fuels, including “drop-ins”and aircraft fuels
• The specific challenges in scaling up Algae
• Biochemical and biopharma products, and their potential role in the biofuels business case
• Navigating the maze of terminology: hydrolysis, esterification, pyrolysis, gasification, FT synthesis, W2E, GTL and more
• Conversion technologies and example facilities
• Biorefineries and multi-product concepts; and incremental market steps to create them

Biofuels Markets, Economics

• Types of biofuel market, supply chains, end-uses and revenues
• Sources, sustainability and security of feedstock supply
• Supply chain cost contributions
• Regulations, government support schemes and carbon markets: their impact on biofuel economics
• The competitive position of future biofuels relative to fossil fuels
• Biofuels in the wider global energy landscape including: peak oil, energy security, climate change and other socio-political aspects and lobbyists