NREL Conversion TEA Models (NREL-TEA)

logo - NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Abstract: NREL-led techno-economic (TEA) modeling for the conversion of biomass to fuels and/or products via various feedstock/conversion pathways. These TEA models include: Algae Combined Algal Processing TEA (CAP), Deconstruction of Biomass to Sugars and Catalytic Conversion of Sugars to Hydrocarbons TEA, Lignocellulosic Biorefineries via Biochemical Conversion TEA, Aviation TEAs, Bioproduct TEAs (Agile Biofoundry), Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis TEA (CFP TEA), Indirect Gasification and Methanol Intermediate to High Octane Gasoline TEA (IDL). Waste to Energy TEA (WTE) (both wet organic wastes and gaseous wastes), and Marine TEA.
Model/Tool Platform:
Aspen Plus/Excel
General Modeling Type:
Engineering process
Primary analytical purpose:
Techno-economic analysis: Technical and economic analysis of technologies or systems of technologies.
Secondary analytical purpose:
Feasibility/Implementation assessment: Assessment of the feasibility or implementation of technologies and feedstocks in terms of operations or in the context of their landscape or market.
Metric categories:
  • Environmental:
    • Air Quality (non-GHG emissions)
    • Environmental Productivity (feedstock-related, e.g., NPP or yield)
    • GHG Emissions
    • Water Impacts (quality and/or quantity)
  • Socio-economic:
    • Net Energy Balance
    • Process Productivity (conversion-related, e.g., yield)
    • Techno-economic Impact
    • Other Socio-economic (e.g., GDP impact, Investment/NPV)
Geospatial resolution:
National
Temporal resolution:
Years
Laboratory:
NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Principal investigator:
Ling Tao
Model start year:
2013
Model last updated:
2020
Development status:
Fully Developed with periodic updates
Level of validation/review:
External Peer Review
Links:
Model scope:
Supply chain elements
Biomass Supply
Feedstock Logistics
Conversion
Distribution
End Use
  • Feedstock Types
    • Starch
    • Sugar Crops
    • Oil Crops
    • Cover Crops and Hay
    • Agricultural Residues
    • Herbaceous Energy Crops
    • Forest Residues
    • Forest Resources
    • Woody Energy Crops
    • Solid Wastes (e.g., MSW, C&D, yard trimmings)
    • Algae
    • Wet Wastes (e.g., wastewater sludge, animal manure, food waste)
    • Fats, Oils, and Greases
    • Landfill Gas
    • Other Feedstock (not listed)
  • Conversion Technology
    • Starch to Sugars
    • Lignocellulosic Biomass to Sugars
    • Lignocellulosic Biomass to Gaseous Intermediate
    • Lignocellulosic Biomass to Biocrude Intermediate (TC)
    • Waste to Biocrude Intermediates (HTL)
    • Waste to Gaseous Intermediate
    • Biomass-Based Oil Extraction
    • Syngas Catalytic Upgrading
    • Sugar Catalytic Upgrading
    • Oil Catalytic Upgrading
    • Sugar Biological Upgrading
    • Syngas Biological Upgrading
    • Alcohol Catalytic (e.g., ethanol or isobutanol to jet)
    • Algae to Sugars
    • Algal Oil
    • Algae to Biocrude Intermediate (HTL)
    • HEFA
    • Other
  • Products/Process Outputs
    • Transportation Fuels - Biodiesel
    • Transportation Fuels - Ethanol
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Diesel
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Gasoline
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Jet
    • Other Transportation Fuels
    • Renewable Natural Gas
    • Biopower
    • Intermediate - Sugars
    • Intermediate - Clean Biomass-based Crop Oils
    • Intermediate - Clean Biomass-based Algal Oils
    • Intermediate - Pyrolysis or Biocrude Intermediate
    • Intermediate - Syngas
    • Bioproducts
    • Other Process Output
  • Transportation Market Segment
    • Light Duty Vehicles
    • Heavy Duty Vehicles
    • Trains
    • Aviation
    • Marine
Linkage Strength: (hover for description)
1
2
3
4
Analytical Purpose
Supply Chain Elements
Biomass Supply
Feedstock Logistics
Conversion
Distribution
End Use

Resource Assessment Models

Biomass Assessment Tool (BAT)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution

Feasibility / Implementation Models

Techno-economic analysis
Algae Farm Model
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics
Biorefinery Optimization Model (Biorefine)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion
Blending Model (Blend)
Supply chain elements: Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Refinery Co-processing Models (RCPM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion
Biomass Logistics Model (BLM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion

Impact Assessment Models

Feedstock Production Emissions to Air Model (FPEAM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics
Jobs and Economic Development Impact Analysis (JEDI)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion
The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies Model (GREET)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Biotrans
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Environmentally-extended Multi-regional Projection of Lifecycle and Occupational energY futures (EMPLOY)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Waste-to-Energy System Simulation Model (WESyS)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Water Analysis Tool for Energy Resources (WATER)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion

Integrated Scenario Assessment Models

Competition for the Use of Biomass (CUB)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Bioenergy Scenario Model (BSM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
Bioproduct Transition System Dynamics (BTSD)
Supply chain elements: Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use
View map of all models
Information last updated: Mar. 10, 2020 14:54:52 EDT