Table 1 Rationale used to develop the accelerated technology development (ATD) scenarios for the five technologies.
Technology cluster | Rationale for ATD | Key changes in datasets | Key references |
|---|---|---|---|
Lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol | Improvement in feedstock quality Better conversion technologies Cheaper enzymes | Availability Efficiency Investment costs O&M costs | R. Slade (unpublished data); [28] |
Gasification of solid biomass (energy crops) | Increased fuel flexibility Cheaper feedstocks Cleaner gas production | Availability Efficiency Capital costs Fixed O&M costs | |
Fast pyrolysis | Better grade/cleaner oil Improved feedstocks Increased fuel flexibility Cost reductions associated with the above | Capital costs Efficiency O&M costs | J. Brammer, J. Rogers (unpublished data); [22] |
Bioengineering of energy plants | Increased yield Increased stress tolerance, and disease and pest resistance Increased nitrogen and water efficiency | Improved yield and energy content of energy plant | |
Agro-machinery of growing and harvesting energy crops | Improved establishment on marginal/idle land Increased efficiency at picking up cut crops Improvement in irrigation systems Improved site preparation methods and weed elimination methods | - incorporated into bioengineering of energy plants, as part of resource costs |