Economic, Life Cycle, and Market Analysis

Researchers are developing new technologies and processes to convert waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) from U.S. biorefineries and industrial sites into low-cost e-fuels. NREL collaborates with the U.S. Department of Energy's CO₂ Reduction and Upgrading for e-Fuels Consortium to perform TEA and LCA of emissions utilization technologies. Data developed from this project have been used to improve costs and efficiencies.

Specific outcomes include:

1. TEA results with key cost drivers for these utilization technologies
2. LCA results with an expanded, updated GREET^® CO₂ utilization LCA module for relevant technologies covering electricity generation, hydrogen production, and CO₂ sourcing.

The utilization projects include feasibility studies that support the consortium and other key agencies in efforts to produce reliable, abundant energy. Outputs from this project include valorization of CO₂ in new technologies and identification of bottlenecks/hot spots of costs in these advancements. The ultimate result will help increase efficiencies and global competitiveness.

Current research and development lack a quantitative roadmap for prioritizing alternative chemical production. NREL researchers have evaluated the economic and environmental impacts of using domestic biomass and waste to produce 51 high-volume chemicals, aimed at boosting U.S. chemical sector competitiveness. Each of these 51 chemicals are consumed annually in quantities greater than 1 million metric tons (Mt) globally or 0.5 Mt in the United States. More than 200 alternative production pathways were identified, and 88 were analyzed using TEA, LCA, and multi-criteria decision analysis. A linear optimization model further assessed pathway combinations for cost reduction to support biomanufacturing.