Multicriteria Site Suitability for Algal Biofuel Production Facilities
(2018) In Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science GISM01 20182Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Abstract
- The use of algae as a feedstock for the production of advanced biofuels has tremendous potential because of its short growth cycle, high productivity, lack of competition for agricultural lands, ability to use a variety of water sources and recycle CO2 and nutrient emissions, and compatibility with existing fuels chains with minimum process changes. However, to make significant contributions to biofuel targets, optimal locations must be identified to ensure production facilities are economically viable.
This study presents a framework which leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help identify optimal locations and a web application which can help stakeholders identify areas that are suitable for production test facilities in... (More) - The use of algae as a feedstock for the production of advanced biofuels has tremendous potential because of its short growth cycle, high productivity, lack of competition for agricultural lands, ability to use a variety of water sources and recycle CO2 and nutrient emissions, and compatibility with existing fuels chains with minimum process changes. However, to make significant contributions to biofuel targets, optimal locations must be identified to ensure production facilities are economically viable.
This study presents a framework which leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help identify optimal locations and a web application which can help stakeholders identify areas that are suitable for production test facilities in the state of Florida. It also presents an example output based on a single configuration of the multicriteria suitability model from this framework.
The total area identified as suitable in the resulting data layer is consistent with similar studies though the accuracy of the model is difficult to assess without further studies. Nonetheless, this research builds on previous national and regional scale analyses which offer a more prescriptive view of potential locations based on a narrower set of inputs and suggests new opportunities to develop a practical toolset for site selection moving forward. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- The world is facing unprecedented pollution levels from the burning of fossil fuels. This can have a big impact on our environment and the very existence of humans as a species. To address these environmental risks policy makers are looking for new fuel sources to meet our energy consumption needs while reducing dangerous emissions. One potential source is algae.
Growing algae and processing it for use as fuel has tremendous potential to reduce emissions, but as developing these organisms as a fuel source is a relatively new technology it is comparatively expensive to existing fossil fuels. If the price of fuel from algae is to be competitive with existing fossil fuels we need to discover areas which are best suited to produce the most... (More) - The world is facing unprecedented pollution levels from the burning of fossil fuels. This can have a big impact on our environment and the very existence of humans as a species. To address these environmental risks policy makers are looking for new fuel sources to meet our energy consumption needs while reducing dangerous emissions. One potential source is algae.
Growing algae and processing it for use as fuel has tremendous potential to reduce emissions, but as developing these organisms as a fuel source is a relatively new technology it is comparatively expensive to existing fossil fuels. If the price of fuel from algae is to be competitive with existing fossil fuels we need to discover areas which are best suited to produce the most fuel.
This report introduces a toolkit based on computer-based mapping technology that can help us find locations to grow algae for fuel, making its price competitive with fossil fuel, which can hopefully help save our environment. It also tests the toolkit in the state of Florida in the United States and presents a map of areas which could be suitable to install fuel processing facilities. Finally, the results of this test can be explored in an interactive web tool that can help decision makers explore the map and measure these suitable areas. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8963069
- author
- O'Neill, Brendan LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- GISM01 20182
- year
- 2018
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- geography, GIS, advanced biofuels, algae, Florida
- publication/series
- Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science
- report number
- 93
- language
- English
- id
- 8963069
- date added to LUP
- 2018-11-12 14:03:34
- date last changed
- 2018-11-12 14:03:34
@misc{8963069,
abstract = {{The use of algae as a feedstock for the production of advanced biofuels has tremendous potential because of its short growth cycle, high productivity, lack of competition for agricultural lands, ability to use a variety of water sources and recycle CO2 and nutrient emissions, and compatibility with existing fuels chains with minimum process changes. However, to make significant contributions to biofuel targets, optimal locations must be identified to ensure production facilities are economically viable.
This study presents a framework which leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help identify optimal locations and a web application which can help stakeholders identify areas that are suitable for production test facilities in the state of Florida. It also presents an example output based on a single configuration of the multicriteria suitability model from this framework.
The total area identified as suitable in the resulting data layer is consistent with similar studies though the accuracy of the model is difficult to assess without further studies. Nonetheless, this research builds on previous national and regional scale analyses which offer a more prescriptive view of potential locations based on a narrower set of inputs and suggests new opportunities to develop a practical toolset for site selection moving forward.}},
author = {{O'Neill, Brendan}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science}},
title = {{Multicriteria Site Suitability for Algal Biofuel Production Facilities}},
year = {{2018}},
}