Plans, Implementation, and Results

The Biomass Program carries out technology research, development, and deployment through an ongoing process of planning and analysis, implementation, and review. This Web page includes links to documents that support and document the program management process, and the results and public benefits that derive from it.

• Program Overview
• Program Plans
• Program Implementation
• Program Results

Program Overview

Learn more about this EERE program.

Key Program Overview Documents

• Biomass Program Overview: Growing America's Energy Future
  
  This fact sheet is an overview of the Department of Energy's Biomass Program.
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• Biomass Program Overview Presentation
  
  This presentation is an interactive walk through of the Program's vision of advancing the biofuels and bioproducts industry and highlights the research and development activities that will help achieve it.
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• Biomass Basics: The Facts About Bioenergy
  
  This product provides an explanation of what biomass is and how it can be used.
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Legislative and Executive Guidance

• Federal Biomass Policy Web page
  
  This Biomass Program Web page contains recent and relevant information relating to biomass policy and legislation.
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• Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future
  
  President Obama's March 2011 framework that addresses the need for reducing dependence on foreign oil and taking control of our energy future by harnessing all of the resources that we have available and embracing a diverse energy portfolio.
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• EPA's Renewable Fuels Standard Web page
  
  The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program regulations were developed in collaboration with refiners, renewable fuel producers, and many other stakeholders.
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• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
  
  An Act passed in 2007 to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote re
  An Act passed in 2007 to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

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Structure and Key Contacts

• Biomass Program Contacts Web page
  
  This page lists contact information for all DOE Biomass Program staff.
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Program News

• Biomass Program News
  
  This page contains all relevant Biomass Program news.
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• Biomass Program Newsletter
  
  In May 2011, the Biomass Program began sending out a monthly "News Blast," highlighting Progam events, solicitations, publications, related blogs, and other relevant information. This page archives the past blasts by month.
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Program Plans

Discover the plans, budgets, and analyses that set the direction of program priorities and activities.

Technology Roadmaps

• National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap
  
  The framework for National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap was constructed at the Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop, held December 9-10, 2008, at the University of Maryland-College Park. The Workshop was organized by the Biomass Program to
  The framework for National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap was constructed at the Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop, held December 9-10, 2008, at the University of Maryland-College Park. The Workshop was organized by the Biomass Program to discuss and identify the critical challenges currently hindering the development of a domestic, commercial-scale algal biofuels industry. This Roadmap presents information from a scientific, economic, and policy perspectives that can support and guide RD&D investment in algal biofuels. While addressing the potential economic and environmental benefits of using algal biomass for the production of liquid transportation fuels, the Roadmap describes the current status of algae RD&D. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for identifying challenges that likely need to be overcome for algal biomass to be used in the production of economically viable biofuels.

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• Roadmap for Biomass Technologies in the United States (2007)
  
  Biomass resources are a sustainable and environmentally friendly feedstock that can contribute significantly to a diverse energy portfolio.
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Multiyear Program Plans

• Biomass Program Multi-Year Program Plan - April 2012
  
  This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) sets forth the goals and structure of the Biomass Program. It identifies the research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities the Program will focus on over the next five years and outlines w
  This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) sets forth the goals and structure of the Biomass Program. It identifies the research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities the Program will focus on over the next five years and outlines why these activities are important to meeting the energy and sustainability challenges facing the nation.

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• Biomass Program Multi-Year Program Plan - November 2011
  
  The Biomass Program is one of the nine technology development programs within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) sets forth the goals and structure of the Biomass
  The Biomass Program is one of the nine technology development programs within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) sets forth the goals and structure of the Biomass Program. It identifies the research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities the Program will focus on over the next five years, and outlines why these activities are important to meeting the energy and sustainability challenges facing the nation.

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Program Budgets

• Biomass Program Budget Web page
  
  The Office of the Biomass Program (OBP) currently requests funding via Energy and Water Development (EWD) appropriations bills. OBP also received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This page contains recent and relevant budgetar
  The Office of the Biomass Program (OBP) currently requests funding via Energy and Water Development (EWD) appropriations bills. OBP also received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This page contains recent and relevant budgetary information.

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• FY12 Biomass Program Congressional Budget Request
  
  FY12 budget and funding for the Biomass Program biomass and biorefinery systems research development and deployment.
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• Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional Budget Request
  
  The Department of Energy Congressional Budget Request for fiscal year 2012. This includes all programs and sub-programs within the Department.
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Analysis (Risk, Benefit, Portfolio)

• U.S. Billion-Ton Update: Biomass Supply for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry
  
  This report is an update to the 2005 Billion-Ton Study that addresses shotcomings and questions that arose from the original report..
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• Understanding the Growth of the Cellulosic Ethanol Industry
  
  Report identifies and documents plausible scenarios for producing significant quantities of lignocellulosic ethanol in 2017 as a guide for setting government policy and targeting government investment to areas with greatest potential impact.
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• Current State of the U.S. Ethanol Industry
  
  The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the U.S. ethanol industry and to outline the major forces that will affect the development of the industry over the next decade.
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Program Implementation

Find out how the program controls, implements, and adjusts its plans and manages its activities.

Technology Evaluations

• Effects of Intermediate Ethanol Blends on Legacy Vehicles and Small Non-Road Engines, Report 1
  
  This report (February 2009) is an update of the original version, which was published in October 2008. This report is the result of the U.S. Department of Energy's test program to evaluate the potential impacts of intermediate ethanol blends on l
  This report (February 2009) is an update of the original version, which was published in October 2008. This report is the result of the U.S. Department of Energy's test program to evaluate the potential impacts of intermediate ethanol blends on legacy vehicles and other engines. The purpose of the test program is to assess the viability of using intermediate blends as a contributor to meeting national goals in the use of renewable fuels.

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• Biochemical Production of Ethanol from Corn Stover: 2007 State of Technology Model
  
  Since 2001, NREL has kept track of technical research progress in the biochemical process through what are known as “State of Technology” (SOT) assessments. The purpose of this report is to update the FY 2005 SOT model with the latest research result
  Since 2001, NREL has kept track of technical research progress in the biochemical process through what are known as “State of Technology” (SOT) assessments. The purpose of this report is to update the FY 2005 SOT model with the latest research results from the past two years.

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• Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Seleced as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop
  
  Economic and environmental assessments by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biofuels Feedstock Development Program staff together with the screening project results, and funding limitations lead to making the decision to further develop only switchgras
  Economic and environmental assessments by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biofuels Feedstock Development Program staff together with the screening project results, and funding limitations lead to making the decision to further develop only switchgrass as a “model” or “prototype” species in about 1990. This paper describes the conditions under which the herbaceous species were screened, summarizes results from those trials, discusses the various factors which influenced the selection of switchgrass, and provides a brief evaluation of switchgrass with respect to criteria that should be considered when selecting and developing a crop for biofuels and bioproducts.

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• Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass - Volume I, Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Sugars and Synthesis Gas
  
  This report identifies twelve building block chemicals that can be produced from sugars via biological or chemical conversions. The twelve building blocks can be subsequently converted to a number of high-value bio-based chemicals or materials. Build
  This report identifies twelve building block chemicals that can be produced from sugars via biological or chemical conversions. The twelve building blocks can be subsequently converted to a number of high-value bio-based chemicals or materials. Building block chemicals, as considered for this analysis, are molecules with multiple functional groups that possess the potential to be transformed into new families of useful molecules. The twelve sugar-based building blocks are 1,4-diacids (succinic, fumaric and malic), 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid, 3-hydroxy propionic acid, aspartic acid, glucaric acid, glutamic acid, itaconic acid, levulinic acid, 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, glycerol, sorbitol, and xylitol/arabinitol.

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• Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass - Volume II, Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Biorefinery Lignin
  
  This report evaluates lignin’s role as a renewable raw material resource.
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Deployment and Diffusion

• Integrated Biorefineries
  
  This page includes an interactive map that displays all of the IBR projects the Biomass Program works with.
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• Economy Through Product Diversity: Integrated Biorefineries
  
  A general discussion of the integrated biorefinery concept, the Biomass Program's related activities and challenges and specific biorefinery projects being funded through the Program.
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Education and Workforce Development

• Biomass Program - Bioindustry Creates Green Jobs
  
  The U.S. bioindustry is expanding rapidly in response to the need for a near-term alternative to liquid petroleum fuels. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires that renewable fuels collectively supply at least 36 billion gal
  The U.S. bioindustry is expanding rapidly in response to the need for a near-term alternative to liquid petroleum fuels. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires that renewable fuels collectively supply at least 36 billion gallons of U.S. motor fuels by 2022.

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Competitive Solicitations and Grant Process

• Biomass Program Recovery Act Factsheet
  
  The Biomass Program has awarded about $718 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds. The projects the Program is supporting are intended to: Accelerate advanced biofuels research, development, and demonstration; Speed th
  The Biomass Program has awarded about $718 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds. The projects the Program is supporting are intended to: Accelerate advanced biofuels research, development, and demonstration; Speed the deployment and commercialization of advanced biofuels and bioproducts; Further the U.S. bioindustry through market transformation and creating or saving a range of jobs.

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• Biomass Research and Development Initiative Annual Solicitation
  
  On April 15, 2011, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy announced up to $30 million in funding over three to four years for our annual Biomass Research and Development Initiative program. These funds will support research and development in
  On April 15, 2011, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy announced up to $30 million in funding over three to four years for our annual Biomass Research and Development Initiative program. These funds will support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products.

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• Biomass Program Financial Opportunities
  
  The Department of Energy is a major provider of funding for basic and applied research for converting biomass resources to biofuels. Many financial assistance opportunities are available for small to large-scale research activities. This page provide
  The Department of Energy is a major provider of funding for basic and applied research for converting biomass resources to biofuels. Many financial assistance opportunities are available for small to large-scale research activities. This page provides current opportunities, as well as links to other financial opportunities pages.

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In-Progress Peer Reviews and Process Assessments

• 2011 OBP Peer Review Portal
  
  The Biomass Program conducted detailed biennial peer review meetings of its activities throughout the first half of 2011. This Web page houses information from the reviews. The final reports will be available in 2012.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Peer Review
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Peer Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Algae
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Algae Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Analysis
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Analysis Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Biochemical Conversion
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Biochemical Conversion Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Feedstock
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Feedstock Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Infrastructure
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Infrastructure Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Integrated Biorefineries
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s IBR Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Sustainability
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Sustainability Platform Review meeting.
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• 2011 Biomass Program Platform Peer Review: Thermochemical Conversion
  
  This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program’s Thermochemical Conversion Platform Review meeting.
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Internal Controls, Project Tracking, and Progress Reports

• Biomass Cookstoves Technical Meeting: Summary Report
  
  In regions where biomass is a traditional fuel for cooking, improved cookstoves can enhance indoor air quality, personal health, livelihoods, and the environment—while substantially reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although ongoing efforts ha
  In regions where biomass is a traditional fuel for cooking, improved cookstoves can enhance indoor air quality, personal health, livelihoods, and the environment—while substantially reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although ongoing efforts have successfully disseminated improved stoves that achieve many of these benefits, substantially greater emissions reductions are needed to comply with international guidelines for indoor air quality and to limit GHG emissions like black carbon.

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• Biopower Technical Strategy Workshop Summary Report
  
  Biopower is electricity produced from a wide range of biomass (organic materials found in wood, plants, agricultural waste and other materials). Biomass is a base load renewable energy source with high availability for electricity production. To expl
  Biopower is electricity produced from a wide range of biomass (organic materials found in wood, plants, agricultural waste and other materials). Biomass is a base load renewable energy source with high availability for electricity production. To explore opportunities for biopower in the United States, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program conducted the Biopower Technical Strategy Workshop in Denver, Colorado, on December 2–3, 2009. This report summarizes the results of the workshop, which focused on challenges to the expanded use of biopower and the possible solutions, including technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) as well as policies and other market transformation mechanisms.

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Program Results

Learn about the technological, commercial, and other outputs and outcomes that result from the public funds appropriated to the program and managed by it.

Technical Outcomes

• Department of Energy Recovery Act Investment in Biomass Technologies
  
  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) provided more than $36 billion to the Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate work on existing projects, undertake new and transformative research, and deploy clean energy technologie
  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) provided more than $36 billion to the Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate work on existing projects, undertake new and transformative research, and deploy clean energy technologies across the nation. Of this funding, $1029 million is supporting innovative work to advance biomass research, development, demonstration, and deployment.

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Case Studies

• Report - Production of Gasoline and Diesel from Biomass via Fast Pyrolysis, Hydrotreating and Hydrocracking: A Design Case
  
  The purpose of this design case study is to evaluate a processing pathway for converting biomass into infrastructure-compatible hydrocarbon biofuels. This design case investigates production of fast pyrolysis oil from biomass and the upgrading of tha
  The purpose of this design case study is to evaluate a processing pathway for converting biomass into infrastructure-compatible hydrocarbon biofuels. This design case investigates production of fast pyrolysis oil from biomass and the upgrading of that bio-oil as a means for generating infrastructure-ready renewable gasoline and diesel fuels.

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• Design Case Summary: Production of Gasoline and Diesel from Biomass via Fast Pyrolysis, Hydrotreating, and Hydrocracking
  
  The Biomass Program develops design cases to understand the current state of conversion technologies and to determine where improvements need to take place in the future. This design case is the first to establish detailed cost targest for the produc
  The Biomass Program develops design cases to understand the current state of conversion technologies and to determine where improvements need to take place in the future. This design case is the first to establish detailed cost targest for the production of diesel and gasoline blendstock from biomass via a fast pyrolysis process.

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• Thermochemical Design Report: Thermochemical Ethanol via Indirect Gasification and Mixed Alcohol Synthesis of Lignocellulosic Biomass
  
  This process design and technoeconomic evaluation addresses the conversion of biomass to ethanol via thermochemical pathways that are expected to be demonstrated at the pilot-unit level by 2012.
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• Design Case Summary: Production of Mixed Alcohols from Municipal Solid Waste via Gasification
  
  The Biomass Program develops design cases to understand the current state of conversion technologies and to determine where improvements need to take place in the future. This design case establishes cost targets for converting MSW to ethanol and oth
  The Biomass Program develops design cases to understand the current state of conversion technologies and to determine where improvements need to take place in the future. This design case establishes cost targets for converting MSW to ethanol and other mixed alcohols via gasification.

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Cost/Benefit and Return on Investment Studies

• Process Design and Economics for Biochemical Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Ethanol
  
  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes the production of ethanol and other liquid fuels from lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks by funding fundamental and applied research that advances the state of technology in biomass collection, conversio
  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes the production of ethanol and other liquid fuels from lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks by funding fundamental and applied research that advances the state of technology in biomass collection, conversion, and sustainability. As part of its involvement in the program, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) investigates the production economics of these fuels.

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