Co-produced ethanol and biogas

Sustainability performance of lignocellulose-based ethanol and biogas co-produced in innovative biorefinery systems

The project will summarize the most promising biochemical production routes for integrated production of ethanol and biogas (together with electricity, heat, lignin etc.) from lignocellulosic biomass. The routes will be analyzed from a resource, energy, environmental and cost efficiency point of view, based on research and development activities at LU, SLU, SEKAB E-Technology and Lantmännen Energi.

The technical implementation potential will be assessed for existing infrastructure in Swedish district heating systems (DHS), forest industries, and ethanol plants, and as stand-alone co-production plants. Also, the corresponding regional potential of feedstock supply from agriculture and forestry which fulfill relevant sustainability criteria will be assessed.

The synthesis, which also includes a comparison with the performance of current ethanol and biogas production systems from a life cycle perspective, will be a valuable decision support for policy makers in their effort to develop efficient incentives to accelerate the implementation of innovative biofuel production systems, and for industry when planning for investments.