Opportunities and hurdles to advance thermochemical
conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals
Dr. Suresh P. Babu, Global and Regional Solutions Directorate, Biomass
Program Development, BNL
ABSTRACT
Biomass is the only renewable resource containing readily renewable
carbon that could be converted to fuels, power, and chemical
intermediates. However, unlike fossil fuels, the present practices in
silviculture, harvesting, and handling of biomass for energy are inadequate to develop and deploy
sustainable bio-energy conversion options. If deployment of such alternate energy conversion options
could lead to energy security, creation of economic opportunities, and stimulate growth of new
industries, it is necessary to develop a robust infrastructure for the supply of QC/QA biomass feedstock,
over the estimated 20 to 30 years life of bio-energy conversion facilities. At present there are many
biomass energy conversion pathways that find their origin in pulp and paper manufacturing, coal,
petroleum and natural gas based industries, and a variety of food processing industries. This
presentation will address the technical hurdles to overcome in the pursuit of commercializing
thermochemical conversion pathways to produce or co-produce fuels, heat, power, and chemical
intermediates. The NE US with its abundant land area and prospects for sustainable supply of biomass,
against the backdrop of vast shale-gas resources could take the lead in demonstrating novel concepts
for thermochemical bio-energy conversion while solving some or all of the regional energy related issues
while simultaneously contributing to environmental protection and socio-economic well-being.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Babu has over 38 years of alternative energy R&TD experience with biomass and coal gasification
and natural gas utilization. He worked for 33 years with IGT/GTI. Here he held various R&D positions
including Asst. Vice-President, R&D. From 2006 to 2010, Dr. Babu has been associated with TERI - New
Delhi, India, E4tech (UK) Ltd, German Council for Sustainable Development, the Swedish Energy Agency,
and Battelle Science & Technology, Malaysia pursuing renewable energy technology programs. For 20
years he served IEA as the Task Lead for Thermal Gasification of Biomass. Dr. Babu has a BS & MS in
Chemical Engineering from India and a PhD from IIT, Chicago. In 2004, he was awarded the David Hall
World Prize for Bio-Energy and in 2011, the Don Klass Award for Excellence in Thermochemical
Conversion. He is a Fellow of GTI.