Methodology Description Behind Implementing an Energetic and Exergetic Cradle-to-Gate Analysis for Valorizing the Optimal Utilization of Biomass

Biomass has the potential to replace a wide variety of fossil-based products within the energy sector: heat, power, fuels, materials, and chemicals. It is considered sustainable and renewable, yet in all the potential applications for biomass, direct and indirect fossil derived inputs are required. Investigating the best possible utilization options for biomass necessitates life-cycle thinking to determine the amount of fossil fuel energy replaced in each system. The methodology and significance of using an energetic and exergetic cradle-to-factory gate assessment is described for common biomass crop production routes and biorefinery layouts using Dutch sugar beet as an expletory crop. Preliminary results indicate that the optimal utilization for biomass is for chemical biorefinery concepts