US Biomass Poised for Near-Term Production

Biomass is poised to become a significant source for renewable energy production during the next decade with the U.S. leading the growing global commitment to biofuel use. As the leading producer and consumer of bio-based renewable energy, the U.S. is driving biomass activity levels within its military, Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). _Bioenergy

With investment coming from Exxon/Mobile, Chevron, BP, Shell, Dupont, Dow, Monsanto, ADM, Google, Bill Gates, -- and a long list of other big players and investors -- bioenergy and biomass energy in the US represents a strong departure from the concept that renewable energy is strictly small-time and non-baseload.

Biomass currently comprises 10% of total renewable energy generation in the U.S. SBI forecasts the market will claim a 12.5% share by 2014, attributing the increase in generation to accelerated efforts among bioenergy companies to generate electricity and liquid biofuels more efficiently and economically. "Global Biofuels Market: Opportunities, Emerging Technologies and Production" examines the industry components, competitors, growth and innovations through expert primary research and analysis.

"Rapid growth of organic biomass manufacturing, especially corn and non-food sources such as forestry products and tallow, will be evident through 2014," says Shelley Carr, publisher of SBI. SBI projects the $103 billion biofuels market will exceed $170 billion by 2014.... _Bioenergy

It will take about 10 years for current biomass energy technologies to scale up to significant levels. Biomass is a baseload renewable -- unlike wind and solar -- and can be produced over most of the Earth's surface, including the oceans. Using gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, hydrolysis, and fermentation, biomass energy density can be increased for more economical transport, storage, and utilisation.

In the meantime, microbial energy technologies -- including algal and synthetic biology approaches -- will be ready to begin scaling up production by 2020. By 2030, the newer microbial energy approaches will be making serious inroads on the petro-fuel industry.