(99e) Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework: An Integrated Platform Supporting Nation's Bioenergy Infrastructure

Biomass-derived fuels have the potential to be one possible solution to our nation’s dependence on imported oil. In 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was passed with the aim to increase the supply of alternative fuels by requiring transportation fuel sold in the U.S. to contain a minimum of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. This included advanced and cellulosic biofuels and biomass-based diesel,. In response, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized the need for having a diverse energy portfolio to meet the nation’s energy security challenges and has set up a strategic plan to promote energy security through a varied energy supply that is reliable, clean, and affordable. The DOE Office of Biomass Program supports these objectives by trying to establish a viable domestic bioindustry.  However, establishing a domestic bioindustry depends on several factors. First, significant and rapid advances in biomass feedstock and conversion technologies must take place. Second, there should be large volumes of sustainable biomass feedstock to sustain the industry. Third, large- scale, integrated biofuels production facilities need to be deployed. And the finally, there should be an adequate biofuels infrastructure to support this industry.

Since the biofuel infrastructure is complex with several critical components such as energy, transportation, water, agricultural and commerce, the need for an integrated decision support tool and collaborative platform was felt in order to support the different stakeholders. The Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework (KDF) is currently being established at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory  (ORNL) in response to this need. The Bioenergy KDF seeks to harmonize data from different sources and provide an integrated decision-making capabilities to its stakeholders. 

Architecture Overview

A Geospatial KDF tool being developed at ORNL powers the Bioenergy KDF. The GeoKDF tool is a general-purpose tool focused on cataloging, sharing, visualization, mapping, modeling and analysis of geospatial data.  The GeoKDF tool can be instantiated for specific domains such as the bioenergy.  The GeoKDF has flexible client-server architecture.  The server side consists of spatial database and a data storage server. Both spatial and non-spatial data can be stored on the server.  The client queries the stored data and the spatial datasets are served as maps, features or coverages using standards-based specifications via a Geoserver.  The GeoKDF provides the client functionality via the web browser to improve accessibility. The browser-based client is written in Javascript and utilizes both the JQuery and the ExtJS library to provide rich interactive functionality to the end user. The visualization of maps and layers within the client is achieved by using OpenLayers API.

Stakeholders and Use case Scenarios

The Bioenergy KDF is being configured to meet the functional requirements of its four stakeholders.  

First, the framework provides policymakers at both federal and state level access to both the latest research data on biomass production and a decision support tool to make strategic decisions. The policymaker could use this framework to ascertain the amount of feedstock currently available within a specific state. Does a region have any crop residue feedstock? How much forest residue feedstock is available for this region? Policymakers can pose such queries to the framework. In addition, the policymakers can utilize the Bioenergy KDF to look at future projections of energy crop potential for specific timeframes.  These querying capabilities will allow policymakers to make informed decision towards aligning strategic policies toward renewable energy solutions.

Second, the framework provides the private industry both the information and actionable knowledge to make business decisions and exploit business opportunities. Latest research data on biomass feedstock production, future projections and transportation models are accessible via the Bioenergy KDF. Business ventures could use the framework to explore the viability of building a Biorefinery near a certain city and look at the availability of feedstock nearby to minimize transportation costs.  The Bioenergy KDF could be used to find suitable counties with feedstock production greater than certain threshold to meet the requirement of a proposed Biorefinery of a certain capacity.

Third, the Bioenergy KDF supports scientists and researchers by being much more than a simple web based decision support tool. In fact, it is designed to be a comprehensive online collaborative tool for information sharing. Scientists and researchers from national laboratories, universities and private industries can register and get accounts on the framework. Once registered, the scientist and researchers are able to upload files, edit information online and exchange knowledge with others within and across domains. The framework provides the scientists full control of their data and information, allowing them to decide with whom to share their expertise. In addition, the framework serves as a platform for these scientists and researchers to publicize, results and expertise and connect with the consumers of such information.

Fourth, the Bioenergy KDF, being openly available on the web, serves an important outreach objective of informing the general public about the ongoing efforts towards building nation’s renewable energy program. For example, high school students can use the framework to explore the data by creating simple maps. They can explore the role their county or state will play in providing feedstock to Biorefineries or locate all the bioenergy facilities in their state. They could find locations of other biomass sources such as pulp/paper mills, coal fired plants near them and explore future projections for energy crop for their area.

Summary

The Bioenergy KDF is currently being developed to provide an integrated decision support tool and collaborative platform in order to support nation’s Biofuel infrastructure. The Bioenergy KDF will provide functionality to share, visualize, map, model and analyze geospatial and non-geospatial data from multiple repositories. The functionality of the Bioenergy KDF is being designed to address the unique needs of different stakeholders.  These stakeholders will play a critical role in achieving our nation’s biofuel based renewable energy objectives.

References

Biomass Multi Year Program Plan, Office of the Biomass Program, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, August 2007