Project Descriptions

Your company (name which you can decide), a new bioenergy company, is interested in developing
more biofuels for transportation in order to broaden their portfolio. There are many possibilities to
choose from throughout the world and many suppliers of equipment to choose from. Of utmost
concern for your company is the sustainability of the project, in terms of environmental impacts,
economy and social aspects that this project may produce.
Your group will have the task of working as the companies sustainability experts to conduct
environmental, economic and social assessments of your chosen project using information that your
group will find in addition to the information provided for the quantitative assessments. If
information has not been provided, you must find it using reports, scientific literature or interviews
with relevant actors/companies.
A collection of possible projects are available for your company to choose among. Each project may
only be investigated by two groups to account for similar projects in different areas of the world (e.g.
two groups may not choose Oil Palm Biodiesel in South America, but one group can choose South
America and the other Malaysia).
For projects abroad, you are to assess both the production and distribution domestically and
compare with the possibility of exporting the biofuel back to Sweden.

1) Oil Palm Biodiesel in South America/Malaysia

Your company would like to invest into making biodiesel from their own oil palm plantations in South
America. Possible inputs include soy beans or palm oil.

2) Jatropha in East Africa/India

Jatropha has been marketed as a miracle plant to produce oil to be used for biodiesel production.
Your company would like to invest into making biodiesel regional jatropha plantations in east Africa
(or India).

3) Gasification of Biomass in Sweden/Germany

As second generation biofuels are becoming more interesting to explore, your company would like to
begin investment in gasification of biomass for biofuel production in Sweden. The fuel choice is up to
your group to conclude. This can e.g. include Fischer-Tropsch Diesel, Methane or other fuels.

4) Ethanol in East Africa/Brazil

As the ethanol market continues to grow in Africa and Europe, there is a need for increased supplies.
Your company is looking to produce ethanol from sugarcane, sweet sorghum or other crops of your
choice.

5) Biogas Production from Wastes in the USA/Sweden

Despite large potential for natural gas in the USA, biogas development continues to grow. Your
company is looking to expand their market in the USA by offering possibilities to produce biogas from
municipal wastes and other industrial wastes to produce vehicle fuel.

6) Biogas Production from Farm Residues in Sweden/Denmark

Residues from the agricultural/farm sector have a large potential for biogas production. These
include e.g. manure, ley, hay, ensilage, etc. In the region of stergtland a new biogas plant is
planned to be built based on agricultural residues.

7) Biogas Production from Crops in Sweden/Germany

Biogas production from crops is widely used in e.g. Germany to supply the electricity market with
green electricity. As substrate prices from by-products and wastes are becoming increasingly
expensive in Sweden, many see a possible future for energy crops being used for biogas production.
Your company is looking into using e.g. sugar beets, corn(maize) or cereals for biogas production.

8) Biofuel from Algae USA/Asia

Algae based biofuel production is being explored in many parts of the world to produce fuels such as
ethanol and biodiesel. Using algae as a feedstock, you may choose which biofuel(s) to produce for
your analysis.

9) Biodiesel from Rapeseed in Sweden/France

Biodiesel from rapeseed is common in Sweden and France. Your group will review the environmental
impacts of biodiesel production from rapeseed in either Sweden or France.

10) Biodiesel production from Waste Vegetable Oil in Sweden/Italy

There is an abundance of waste vegetable oils available from restaurants, e.g. McDonalds and other
fast food chains. Assuming that you can collect a large share of oil, you will investigate producing
biodiesel from this waste vegetable oil.

11) New Biofuel Production

Your group may have an idea for a new biofuel production process (or different to the ones above). If
you would like to do this, please discuss this with the supervisors as there may not be
data/info/literature for your case.