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Solar-Powered Carbon Fixation for Food and Feed Production Using Microorganisms-A Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of five solar-powered concepts for the production of autotrophic microorganisms for food and feed production; the main focus is on three concepts based on hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB), which are further compared to two microalgae-related concepts. Two locations with markedly different solar conditions are considered (Finland and Morocco), in which Morocco was found to be the most economically competitive for the cultivation of microalgae in open ponds and closed systems (1.4 and 1.9 € kg^-1, respectively). Biomass production by combined water electrolysis and HOB cultivation results in higher costs for all three considered concepts. Among these, the lowest production cost of 5.3 € kg^-1 is associated with grid-assisted electricity use in Finland, while the highest production cost of >9.1 € kg^-1 is determined for concepts using solely photovoltaics and/or photoelectrochemical technology for on-site electricity production and solar-energy conversion to H₂ by water electrolysis. All assessed concepts are capital intensive. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis suggests that the production costs of HOB biomass can be lowered down to 2.1 € kg^-1 by optimization of the process parameters among which volumetric productivity, electricity strategy, and electricity costs have the highest cost-saving potentials. The study reveals that continuously available electricity and H₂ supply are essential for the development of a viable HOB concept due to the capital intensity of the needed technologies. In addition, volumetric productivity is the key parameter that needs to be optimized to increase the economic competitiveness of HOB production.

SUBMITTER: Nappa M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7774257 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Solar-Powered Carbon Fixation for Food and Feed Production Using Microorganisms-A Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis.

Nappa Marja M Lienemann Michael M Tossi Camilla C Blomberg Peter P Jäntti Jussi J Tittonen Ilkka Juhani IJ Penttilä Merja M

ACS omega 20201217 51

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of five solar-powered concepts for the production of autotrophic microorganisms for food and feed production; the main focus is on three concepts based on hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB), which are further compared to two microalgae-related concepts. Two locations with markedly different solar conditions are considered (Finland and Morocco), in which Morocco was found to be the most economically competitive for the cultivation of microalgae ...[more]

PMID: 33403286

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Project description:BackgroundAlcohol-to-jet (ATJ) is one of the technical feasible biofuel technologies. It produces jet fuel from sugary, starchy, and lignocellulosic biomass, such as sugarcane, corn grain, and switchgrass, via fermentation of sugars to ethanol or other alcohols. This study assesses the ATJ biofuel production pathway for these three biomass feedstocks, and advances existing techno-economic analyses of biofuels in three ways. First, we incorporate technical uncertainty for all by-products and co-products though statistical linkages between conversion efficiencies and input and output levels. Second, future price uncertainty is based on case-by-case time-series estimation, and a local sensitivity analysis is conducted with respect to each uncertain variable. Third, breakeven price distributions are developed to communicate the inherent uncertainty in breakeven price. This research also considers uncertainties in utility input requirements, fuel and by-product outputs, as well as price uncertainties for all major inputs, products, and co-products. All analyses are done from the perspective of a private firm.ResultsThe stochastic dominance results of net present values (NPV) and breakeven price distributions show that sugarcane is the lowest cost feedstock over the entire range of uncertainty with the least risks, followed by corn grain and switchgrass, with the mean breakeven jet fuel prices being $0.96/L ($3.65/gal), $1.01/L ($3.84/gal), and $1.38/L ($5.21/gal), respectively. The variation of revenues from by-products in corn grain pathway can significantly impact its profitability. Sensitivity analyses show that technical uncertainty significantly impacts breakeven price and NPV distributions.ConclusionsTechnical uncertainty is critical in determining the economic performance of the ATJ fuel pathway. Technical uncertainty needs to be considered in future economic analyses. The variation of revenues from by-products plays a significant role in profitability. With the distribution of breakeven prices, potential investors can apply whatever risk preferences they like to determine an appropriate bid or breakeven price that matches their risk profile.

Dataset Information

Solar-Powered Carbon Fixation for Food and Feed Production Using Microorganisms-A Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis.

Publications

Solar-Powered Carbon Fixation for Food and Feed Production Using Microorganisms-A Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis.

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