Team 7—Aviation Biofuels AssignmentSummer Institute on Sustainability and Energy (SISE)

August 17, 2012

Sustainable Urban Biofuel Network (SUBNET)

Project Team

• Michael Blauvelt

• Mark Leno, MA Int’l Relations University of Chicago ’09

• Kyle Jacobs, PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering, UIUC

• Zhenyu Hou

• Maciej Wachala

rProblems and IssuesUS airlines consumed over 10M gallons of fossil-fuels in 2011

CropGallons/

Acre

Soybean 48

Rapeseed 127

Jatropha 202

Palm Oil 635

Algae 5,000-10,000

So What Should We Do? Enable sustainable production of biofuels through algae farming

The Innovation:Sustainable Urban Biofuel Network

(SUBNET)

• 1000s of abandoned or underutilized buildings throughout US cities

• High US urban unemployment—(65 metropolitan areas including Chicago over June 2012 national average of 8.4%)

• Vertical indoor farming has potential to yield at least 5-15x more oil than traditional outdoor farming

Proposed Solution: Sustainable Urban Biofuel Network (SUBNET)

• What is it? Production of aviation-grade biofuels from advanced urban sustainable facilities

• How does it work? The SUBNET consists of abandoned or underutilized buildings converted to algae biofuel production facilities

• Why do it? Innovative, more beneficial biofuel production without most conventional drawbacks

*the growing of plants in nutrient solutions with or without an inert medium (as soil) to provide mechanical support (Merriam-Webster)

Attempted Solutions• Research into crops which do not compete

with food (second generation biofuels) 1st Generation (e.g. corn, rapeseed, sugarcane)

2nd Generation (e.g algae, camelina, jatropha, halopyhtes)

• Military and civil aviation approval of aviation biofuel blends

• Ongoing R&D, primarily on conventional outdoor farming of various crops and algae

SUBNET Core Technologies• High yield biofuels via algae farming estimated yield 6000 gallons/acre for flat farming, will be

more for vertical farming

• Advanced hydroponics—vertical film farming Closed loop systems with waste water Uses approximately 95% less water than outdoor farming CO2 obtained from local industry or powerplant

• Integrates with other Renewable Energy Technologies Anaerobic digestion and PV for power generation Energy efficient LED and solid state light Energy efficient building renovations Potential for smart metering and power usage

Truck w/ Harvest Algae

Algae

Feedstock (or Algae itself)

PV PanelsGrid

Electricity

LED Light

CO2 and waste water

Sun

Refinery

Urban waste/garbage containing sugar

Feedstock

Gasification

Conceptual SUBNET Production Facility (Farm)

Large Production Facility

Large Production Facility

Large Production Facility

Refinery

Airport

Small Production Facility

Conceptual SUBNET Diagram

Small Production Facility

Small Production Facility

Small Production Facility

Small Production Facility

Potential Barriers to SUBNETs

• Capital cost—potentially higher initial from building retrofits

• Competition with low-cost fossil fuels

• Change—a different approach from traditional large scale farming

Environmental and Technological Benefits

ENV

IRO

NM

ENTA

L • Sustainable, renewable energy

• Environmentally-friendly biofuelproduction

• Conserve natural resources

• Increase urban sustainability

TEC

HN

OLO

GIC

AL • Innovative technology

integration plan

• Less vulnerable to weather and pests

• Potential to reduces biofuel research risk and costs

• Potential urban renewable energy testbed

Economic and Sociopolitical Benefits

ECO

NO

MIC

• Provides local jobs, especially in urban areas

• Multiple purpose buildings, diverse revenue streams

• Green tax credits and incentives

• Crop and product flexibility

• Reduces supply chain costs and emissions

• Diversified revenue streams—shops, restaurants

SOC

IOP

OLITC

AL

• Energy Security

• Food Security

• Urban sustainability awareness and culture

• Does not compete with farmland and natural areas

• Urban renewal and improved quality of life

• Reduces crime, fire prevention, and other costs of abandoned buildings

• Widespread appeal to diverse groups and interests

Proposed Path Forward• Initial SUB-C Proof of Concept Demonstration in

Chicagoland area Proximity to O’Hare, a major international aviation hub Initial plan to supply select United Airlines flights Vast potential to expand domestically and internationally Large numbers of abandoned buildings and high unemployment

• Business Plan and Policy Recommendations Public-private partnership organized by United-affiliated start-

up company Recommend that federal, state, and local governments provide

property and other tax breaks as applicable to SUBNET properties

Recommend that federal, state, and local governments provide seed grants and initial subsidies to SUBNETs

• Based on outcome and lessons learned from pilot project, decide on whether to develop additional SUBNETs

Today’s urban wastelands could be tomorrow’s catalysts for economic growth and a more

sustainable future

Where could the SUBNET Take Us?

Back Up Slides

SUBNET vs. Other Conventional BiofuelProduction

SUBNET Scalable Crop Flexible Minimal land and water Multiple uses and

revenue streams Year round production Produced near major

airports or large markets Appeals to many urban

stakeholders

Conventional Production• Large Areas of Open Land• Crop Specific• Resource-intensive• Single or few revenue

streams• Seasonal production• Produced away from major

airports or large markets• Appeals to fewer

stakeholders

Example of Potential Pilot Site• South Chicago, Illinois • Population: 31, 200• Chicago-area unemployment rate above national

average at 9.3% (as of June 2012)• 30 miles from O’Hare International Airport• 193 abandoned buildings in South Chicago in a dense

area• Most commercial development is found on one street

(Commercial Avenue) – privately owned restaurants and clothing stores

• The City of Chicago is investing in “sustainable” development projects in the neighborhood

Location of South Chicago

Abandoned Buildings in South Chicago