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Switchgrass - A Second Generation Biofuel Feedstock Alternative
Scope eKnowledge Center Pvt Ltd, Oct 2009, Pages: 70
Provides a market research and IP perspective on the nascent switchgrass industry.
Offers insights on the patenting and technological innovations in this emerging alternative energy sector
This research report by Scope e-Knowledge Center titled “Switchgrass-A Second Generation Biofuel Feedstock” delves into the current status of research and commercialization of biofuel production based on switchgrass. Switchgrass, a perennial grass variety, produces about five times the energy that it takes to grow. An extremely nascent field within the biofuel industry, this segment nevertheless presents enormous potential for displacing some of the energy requirements from conventional sources.
While the use of corn for the purpose of biofuel generation has evolved to become a rather mature segment of the biofuel industry, there is still an increasing need for identifying alternative feedstock such as switchgrass to reduce biofuel producers’ dependence on consumable crops. Such crops will need to not only eliminate conflicts of interest regarding food security and land usage but also be amenable to being featured in hybrid energy production strategies of the future.
The report also throws light on the current state of the biofuel industry, the technological advancements and the level of interest from various stakeholders in investing in the research and commercialization of new and emerging bioenergy feedstocks such as switchgrass.
In 2007, the global biofuels market was estimated at $46 billion and is projected to reach $247 billion by 2020. The bio-ethanol segment, to which switchgrass-based biofuel is expected to contribute at a much higher level in the future, represented nearly 85% of the total biofuels market in the year. Global ethanol production is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6% in the period 2009-2018 to reach 33,895 million gallons.
A key focus area of the report is an in-depth analysis of switchgrass-based biofuel technologies from a patenting perspective including first-filing activity with respect to patent families in the period 1836-2009. The leading assignees and their patenting activity have been discussed in detail. The report also traces the evolution of the switchgrass-based biofuel production technology and includes an analysis of the valuable inventions in the technology landscape across the leading assignees as well as those of individual inventors, and research and academic institutes. A geographic analysis of the assignees is also covered.
Although commercialization of switchgrass-based biofuel technologies has yet to gain momentum, there are several stakeholders looking to capitalize on this extremely promising crop. The report discusses the recent activities of corporations, farmers, governments and R&D establishments that are engaged in commercial, research and academic activities involving the use of switchgrass for producing energy and fuels. The key players in the biofuel industry who are currently engaged in R&D and production activities involving switchgrass as well as those players who has invested in cellulosic ethanol projects and are the best poised to deploy switchgrass in the coming years. A brief insight into the key stakeholders and their various projects and strategies are outlined.
An indicative list of the players profiled is given below:
- BlueFire Ethanol Inc.
- Iogen Corporation
- Range Fuels
- Abengoa Bioenergy S.A
- Ceres Inc.
- DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC (DDCE)
- Verenium Corporation
- AE Biofuels Inc.
- ICM Inc.
- Mascoma Corporation
- Royal Dutch Shell
- British Petroleum Company PLC
- Petrobras SA
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Chevron Corporation
- Total Energy Services Corporation
- ConocoPhillips Company
- Altrabiofuels Inc.
- Valero Energy Corp.
- Genencor – A Danisco A/S division
- Gulf Alternative Energy
- CleanTech Biofuels
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