The Biorefinery Optimization Workshop, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, is being held on October 5–6, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. The workshop will advance the understanding of the current capabilities, barriers, and opportunities for integrated biorefineries working to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and bioproducts.

More than 100 individuals involved with the large-scale production of biofuels have registered to attend this event. Participants represent feedstock producers, national laboratories, and federal agencies. During the workshop, attendees will discuss strategies to achieve continuous, reliable operation of integrated biorefineries. BETO plans to gather input from participants to create a strategy for a future that includes biobased liquid transportation fuels as part of the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

On the first morning of the workshop, BETO Director Jonathan Male will open the event, followed by presentations offering an overview of biorefinery optimization, including key technical and economic challenges, as well as opportunities to improve facility profitability through reducing expenses and increasing revenue streams. The presentations will inform attendees of successful efforts to advance biorefining projects from pilot-scale to commercialization. 

During afternoon breakout sessions, participants will provide input specific to three biorefinery optimization topics: feedstock and material handling, process scale-up and intensification, and opportunities for monetizing waste streams. The goal of these discussions is to identify partnership opportunities, as well as research and funding priorities, for both the private and public sectors. 

Through sponsorship of this event, BETO is engaging key stakeholders and carrying out a long-term applied research and development strategy to achieve commercial-scale biofuels, bioproducts, and biochemicals. BETO regularly hosts strategy workshops to help break down critical technical barriers and promote sustainable and affordable biofuels.