Development of Eco-Efficiency Indicators for a Biorefinery

One of the potential renewable energy feedstock is lignocellusoic biomass, with particular strong interest in wheat straw. Other parts of wheat can also be used for different applications which can cover a wide range of energy carriers and materials. Another example is cascading which uses biomass resources for several material applications ending usually with a conversion to bioenergy such as fuels, heat and/or electricity. Wheat straw also has multiple synthesis paths for energy production such as Biogas, Biohydrogen, and Bioethanol for both electricity generation and as transportation fuels. The utilization of wheat straw developed into the biorefinery concept. However, due to multiple biofuels outputs in a biorefinery, the allocation in a life cycle assessment study will be an important issue as it can influence the eco-efficiency results significantly. The choice of functional unit is also an important issue. The costs of the feedstock and cost structure of the biofuels are also important factors in an eco-efficiency study. In addition, there is also a need for biorefinery management in terms of eco-efficiency optimization.

The development of the eco-efficiency indicator framework of such biorefinery will thus be based partially on their methodology. The eco-efficiency indicator framework is then applied to a biorefinery case study to show its application. The development of the eco-efficiency indicator framework of such biorefinery will be based partially on the methodology recommended by IndEco Strategic Consulting, Inc. and Carole Burnham Consulting for NRTEE.