Towards commercial scale 2nd generation bioethanol: a comparative study between Abengoa Bioenergy in Spain and Inbicon in Denmark

A large number of concerns and problems with first-­‐generation biofuels, including food competition and environmental impacts, could be reduced with the production of biofuels from forest and agricultural residues and other non-­‐food feedstocks. Advanced, second-­‐generation biofuels could potentially supply a substantial proportion of fuel sustainably, affordably and with significantly less environmental impacts. Currently, this technology is being implemented at demonstration/pilot scale in a number of plants over the world. The goal of this report is to conduct a comparative analysis between two demonstration plants: Abengoa Energy in Spain and Inbicon in Denmark. The analysis will first will take a broad perspective, examining the main activities, value chain characteristics, key technologies, market policies, and innovative projects of each plant. This report will then focus specifically on the technological process and each pathway considering enzymes, products, by-­‐ products, treatments and raw materials with the aim of determining which aspects could be improved within each company. Outgoing