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Modeling biomass procurement tradeoffs within a cellulosic biofuel cost model
Economics Working Papers (2002–2016)
  • Alicia Rosburg, University of Northern Iowa
  • John Miranowski, Iowa State University
  • Keri Jacobs, Iowa State University
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
10-1-2015
Working Paper Number
WP# 13015, October 2015
Abstract

We develop a long-run cellulosic biofuel cost model that minimizes feedstock procurement and processing costs per gallon. The distinguishing feature of the model is that it accounts for the procurement tradeoff between the intensive margin (biomass producers' participation rate) and extensive margin (biomass capture region). To investigate the extent to which this procurement trade-off affects processors' cost-minimizing decisions, we apply the model to switchgrass ethanol production in U.S. crop reporting districts. Results suggest that location characteristics will determine the extent to which processors can reduce their total procurement costs by offering a higher biomass price to increase participation near the plant and reduce transportation costs.

Disciplines
File Format
application/pdf
Length
31 pages
Citation Information
Alicia Rosburg, John Miranowski and Keri Jacobs. "Modeling biomass procurement tradeoffs within a cellulosic biofuel cost model" (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john-miranowski/21/