Biomass storage options influence net energy and emissions of cellulosic ethanol

Some storage facilities may use minimal energy, but feedstock requirements may use considerable energy and lead to GHG emissions, especially when fossil-based.

“While some storage facilities may use minimal energy, feedstock requirements may use considerable energy and lead to GHG emissions, especially when fossil-based (Egg et al. 1993, Emery et al. 2015).”

For lignocellulosic feedstocks, prevention of microbial activity and spontaneous combustion are additional considerations of having a storage with drying facilities in a supply chain.

“For lignocellulosic feedstocks, such as energy crops and agro-forestry residues, the prevention of microbial activity and spontaneous combustion are additional considerations of having a storage with drying facilities in a supply chain (Emery et al. 2015).”

The addition of storage facilities to a supply chain can be expected to increase both the net energy consumption and GHG emissions.

“Nevertheless, the addition of storage facilities to a supply chain can be expected to increase both the net energy consumption and GHG emissions (Emery et al. 2015).”

The challenge of storing lignocellulosic feedstocks without significant dry matter losses (DML) must be overcome.

“In the case of lignocellulosic feedstocks, the challenge of storing without significant dry matter losses (DML) must be overcome (Lemus 2009, Emery et al. 2015).”