U.S. ethanol biorefineries by location in 2016. Adapted from Renewable Fuels Association at http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resources/biorefinery-locations/
U.S. ethanol biorefineries by location in 2016. Adapted from Renewable Fuels Association at http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resources/biorefinery-locations/

NARA researchers have just published a critical review of the U.S Biofuels Industry. Their work appears in the BioProducts Business journal and can be viewed at http://biobus.swst.org/index.php/bpbj/article/view/18

The review provides a historical account of the U.S. biofuels, and policies that shaped the industry, followed by status updates (and definitions) of first, second and third generation biofuels. For each generation biofuel, the authors describe the feedstocks used, available conversion technologies, potential co-products and the economic, social and environmental benefits associated with each generation.

The review also provides helpful schematics of the varied conversion technologies and listings of all the current biorefineries for each biofuel type.

This review is an excellent source for those who want a fundamental understanding of the U.S biofuels industry.