Strategic Planning for the Sustainable Production of Biofuels presents several optimization models for the design and planning of sustainable biorefinery supply chains, including issues surrounding the potential of biomass feedstocks in multiple harvesting sites, availability and seasonality of biomass resources, different potential geographical locations for processing plants that produce multiple products using diverse production technologies, economies of scale for production technologies, demands and prices of multiple products, locations of storage facilities, and a number of transportation modes. Sustainability considerations are incorporated into the proposed models by including simultaneous economic, environmental and social performance in the evaluation of the supply chain designs. - Covers different optimization models for the strategic planning of biorefining systems - Includes the GAMS and MATLAB codes for solving various problems - Considers sustainability criteria in the presented models - Presents different approaches for obtained trade-off solutions - Provides general software that can be used for solving different problems

Energy appears to be a fundamental driving force of economic and political strategies as well as planetary stability. Energy-related issues such as (1) the availability of new energy sources and viable technologies, (2) the disparity in access to energy sources, (3) the role of energy in our societies (energy societal metabolism), (4) the energy support to the life of our cities (where about half of world population is going to live very soon), and (5) the energy demand for food security all over the world, are “hot” problems that humans will have to face within the framework of sustainability (ecologically sound production and consumption patterns associated with socially acce- able life styles), in terms of policies, technological development and economic processes. A coherent energy strategy is required, addressing both energy supply and demand, security of access, development problems, equity, market dynamics, by also taking into account the whole energy lifecycle including fuel production, transmission and distribution, energy conversion, and the impact on energy equipment manufacturers and the end-users of energy systems. Issues of energy efficiency and rebound effect must also be taken into proper account. In the short term, the aim should be to achieve higher energy efficiencies and increased supply from local energy sources, in particular renewable energy sources.

The Conference addresses the subjects of regional development in an integrated way in accordance with the principles of sustainability and provides a common forum for all scientists specialising in the range of subjects included within sustainable development and planning.

Are biofuels Sustainable? : First report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

This new book, Bioethanol: Biochemistry and Biotechnological Advances, presents some insightful perspectives and important advances in the bioethanol industry. The volume goes into detail on the biochemical and physiological parameters carried out by the main bioethanol-producing microorganisms as well as the discusses the potential applications that bioproducts can have and the advantages they generate. The chapter authors discuss a variety of issues, including the physiology of ethanol production by yeasts, by Zymomonas mobilis, and by Clostridium thermocellum. Other sources of biofuel, such as sweet sorghum, Agave americana L. leaves waste, and fungi are included as well. Chapters also discuss the genetic regulation and genetic engineering of principal microorganisms and then go on to address ways to increase ethanol tolerance in industrially important ethanol fermenting organisms, methods for developing sustainable fermentable substrates, and new strategies for ethanol purification. Chapters explore the design and engineering requirements for bioreactors, bioelectrosynthesis of ethanol via bioelectrochemical systems, and more. The book will be a valuable resource for faculty and students in this area as well as for scientists, researchers, and managers in the biofuel industry in the area of biofuel production, fermentation process, environmental engineering and all other related scientific areas.

Sustainable Production Consumption Systems brings together a set of designed case studies intended to provide a more in-depth understanding of challenges and opportunities in bringing knowledge and actions closer together for the sustainable management of specific production and consumption systems. The case study approach enabled researchers to engage directly with some of the actors involved in the production, consumption or regulation of specific goods or services and other stakeholders affected by those processes. Such engagement was particularly worthwhile when it helped mobilize actors to pursue linking knowledge with action in ways that improve the prospects for sustainability.

With oil resources approaching their limits, biofuels have become increasingly attractive. This book provides a detailed description of the ecological implications of second and third generation biofuel feedstock production systems, beginning with an introduction to the importance of ecological sustainability alongside economic viability. The book is divided into sections describing theoretical foundation and benefits of various biofuel cropping systems, and providing a description of practical ecological limitations to achieve those fundamental benefits. The book covers such critical issues as greenhouse gas emissions, carbon balance, water cycle components, other biogeochemical and socioeconomic interactions alongside life cycle analysis principals for achieving sustainability. These are some of the most important sustainability, environmental and economic issues which biofuel industry and scientific community is seeking answers to.