Bioenergy: Science, Policy, and Business

Catalog description

Students gain an understanding of the historical uses, current trends, and potential future production of bioenergy. Students learn how to describe and interpret life-cycle impacts of bioenergy production systems. The course reviews national (U.S.) and international policies that regulate bioenergy production; and analyzes the crop species, agro-ecosystems, land managements, conversion technologies, co-products, transportation infrastructure, and end uses of bioenergy production pathways for both solid and liquid fuels. Students also evaluate the ecological impacts, land and water requirements, economic efficiencies, and energetic efficiencies of bioenergy systems relative to other energy systems.