An agent-based modeling approach for determining corn stover removal rate and transboundary effects

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Economics
• Bioenergy Systems Modeling
• Environmental Impact Assessment

Background:

• Bioenergy production involves multiple agents with interdependent decisions.
• Transboundary impacts within the bioenergy value chain require careful assessment for optimization.
• Understanding agent interactions is crucial for efficient bioenergy value chain configuration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an agent-based model for analyzing transboundary impacts in bioenergy production.
• To propose economic multipliers for quantifying value distribution along the bioenergy value chain.
• To apply the model to a corn stover to ethanol case study in Iowa, USA.

Main Methods:

• Agent-based modeling to simulate decision-making of feedstock producers and conversion plant operators.
• Development of economic multipliers to assess transboundary impacts.
• Case study application for corn stover ethanol production in Iowa.

Main Results:

• Stover removal rates are site-specific, influenced by soil type, price, and harvesting costs.
• Corn stover ethanol production exhibits significant positive economic ripple effects.
• Multiplier values are sensitive to greenhouse gas prices and national energy security premiums.

Conclusions:

• The agent-based model effectively captures complex interactions and impacts in bioenergy value chains.
• Economic value from corn stover ethanol predominantly benefits downstream conversion processes.
• The model provides a generic framework applicable to diverse bioenergy systems and scales.