This page contains a table that organizes the names and publication dates of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) key research and development portfolio documents, providing succinct descriptions of each document. Scroll to the Key Publications table below and read the descriptions to find the publication that best fits your needs.

To access the full list of BETO publications, visit the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information website. The library contains all BETO publications and highlights the most recent and most popular ones. Use the search function to find publications based on title, description, file name, and keyword(s).

Key Publications

Publication NameDescriptionDate of Publication
GENERAL OFFICE INFORMATION AND PLANS
Office Overviews, Investment Summaries, and Fact Sheets
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) works with industry, academia, and our national laboratory partners on a balanced portfolio of research in biomass feedstocks and conversion technologies. Through research and development efforts geared toward innovative technologies, BETO is helping transform the nation's renewable and abundant biomass resources into cost competitive, high-performance biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower.
Interagency Group Releases New Report to Strengthen a Data-Driven U.S. Bioeconomy

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the release of Vision, Needs, and Proposed Actions for the Data for the Bioeconomy Initiative, a report on advancing biotechnology; improving U.S. data infrastructure and accessibility; and sustainably growing the bioeconomy across the nation’s, energy, biomanufacturing, health, and agricultural sectors.

December 2023
Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics Workshop ReportDOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office released a summary report following its Plastics workshop in partnership with DOE’s Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office and the Climate Pledge coalition. At the workshop, stakeholders gave input on current challenges and opportunities to address and reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. This input is critical to advancing DOE’s vision for its Strategy for Plastics Innovation to develop and deploy technologies that minimize plastic waste and promote energy-efficient and economical plastic and bioplastic reuse and recycling.December 2023
Bioenergy Consortia: The Spirit of National Laboratory CollaborationDOE’s national laboratories collaborate on cutting-edge research and development projects through the use of multi-lab consortia. BETO funds seven bioenergy industry consortia across the United States. This fact sheet highlights the seven bioenergy industry consortia.December 2023
Interested in Becoming a BETO Project Reviewer?BETO is always in need of subject matter experts to review research funding applications. If you would like to become a BETO reviewer, download this fact sheet for more information on how to apply.November 2023
Industrial Innovation: Bioenergy Expands the PossibleAn overview of BETO's support of biofuel and bioproduct innovations to the benefit of people and businesses.November 2023
Bioproducts: A Clean Energy SolutionAn overview of BETO's support of the development of innovative products made from biological material.November 2023
CO2 Reduction and Upgrading for e-Fuels ConsortiumThe CO2 Reduction and Upgrading for e-Fuels Consortium (CO2RUe) is a collaboration of industry advisors and five national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office. CO2RUe develops an integrated portfolio of technologies that use renewable electricity, catalysts, and microorganisms to upgrade waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into e-fuels (a shorthand for electrofuels) and commodity chemicals.August 2023
Bioenergy Technologies Office: Building a Low-Carbon U.S. BioeconomyThe Bioenergy Technologies Office—a branch of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy—supports the research, development, and demonstration of technologies that mobilize renewable carbon resources across the U.S. economy. Including a variety of biomass and wastes, renewable carbon resources can be converted into sustainable, high-performance fuels as well as renewable chemicals and materials while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.September 2023
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Bioenergy Research: Opportunities and ChallengeThe integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) with automated experimentation, genomics, biosystems design, and bioprocessing represents a new data-driven research paradigm poised to revolutionize scientific investigation and, particularly, bioenergy research. To identify the opportunities and challenges in this emerging research area, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research program (BER) and Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) held a joint virtual workshop on AI/ML for Bioenergy Research (AMBER) on August 23–25, 2022.April 2023

The Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ Fact Sheet

The Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ is the seventh Energy Earthshot™ and is an initiative launched by DOE to reduce emissions from the fuels and chemicals industry by developing sustainable sources of carbon. This initiative aims to lower GHG emissions at least 85% as compared to fossil-based sources by 2035. This Energy Earthshot specifically aims to meet 2050 projected demand for 100% of aviation fuel; 50% of maritime, rail, and off-road fuel; and 50% of carbon-based chemicals by using sustainable carbon resources.

May 2023

Wood Heater Design Challenge Workshop Report

To support the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office’s goal of advancing residential wood heating technologies, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Alliance for Green Heat hosted the fifth Wood Heater Design Challenge. The Challenge consisted of three virtual workshops and a Technology Slam aimed at inspiring and advancing the next generation of residential wood heaters. This report provides a summary of the activities and outcomes from the three virtual workshops held in January, March, and April of 2022.May 2023
Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing: Harnessing Research and Development to Further Societal GoalsThe Biden-Harris Administration has announced a new report, Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing: Harnessing Research and Development to Further Societal Goals, to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing, strengthen America’s bioeconomy and supply chain, and support American innovation.March 2023

2023 Multi-Year Program Plan

This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) sets forth the mission, goals, and strategic approach of BETO. The new plan identifies BETO’s research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) strategies and crosscutting programmatic activities and outlines why these undertakings are critical to meeting the energy and sustainability challenges facing the nation.March 2023
WaterPACT Fact SheetThis Fact Sheet exhibits an inspired approach to plastics removal and reuse. The Waterborne Plastics Assessment and Collection Technologies (WaterPACT) project is working to develop technology solutions for plastics in U.S. waterways, creating jobs, reclaiming plastics for the supply chain, improving human health, and protecting our precious marine and riverine ecosystems—all while being fueled by clean, renewable water power technologies.  WaterPACT is a collaborative project with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE™) Consortium, and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory.February 2023
FACT SHEET: The U.S. Government Invests in Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation: Department of EnergyThe U.S. Department of Energy is committed to using biotechnology and biomanufacturing to improve the lives of Americans and is taking key steps to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative.December 2022

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap: Flight Plan for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Report

To achieve SAF Grand Challenge goals, an interagency team worked with government agencies, and partners from national labs, universities, non-governmental orgs, and aviation, agricultural, and energy industries to create the SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap.September 2022
2021 Project Peer Review ReportThis report summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at the 2021 U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office's Peer Review meeting held virtually in March 2021.June 2022
Biofuel Innovation: Clean Energy Solutions, Ready TodayAn overview of BETO's innovations in biofuels research to enhance transportation technologies and infrastructure. With over 300 active R&D projects, BETO initiatives encourage cost-competitive, efficient, and sustainably produced biofuels.April 2022
Bioenergy: A Pathway to DecarbonizationAn overview of BETO’s efforts to help engineer carbon reduction and decarbonize the atmosphere with improved carbon conversion technologies, along with bio-based alternatives to fossil fuels and petrochemical-related products.  April 2022
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Decoupling Carbon from Commercial FlightThe U.S. Department of Energy is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other federal agencies to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up new technologies to produce sustainable aviation fuel on a commercial scale. The strategy will highlight needs in research and development, scale-up, policy and financing, state and local involvement, and workforce development. This fact sheet provides an overview of this strategy.September 2021
Leveraging Existing Bioenergy Data: Workshop Summary ReportThis report summarizes the results of a workshop sponsored by BETO held on July 21–23, 2020. BETO invited experts to discuss how to collect and valorize underused bioenergy datasets and associated knowledge, with the goal of making this information public on existing databases.March 2021
Bioprocessing Separations Consortium Three-Year OverviewThe Bioprocessing Separations Consortium brings together teams from U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories to move cost-effective, high-performing separations technologies to market faster. This is done through coordinated separations research that targets challenges relevant to industry. This report summarizes the efforts undertaken by the consortium since its inception in 2016. During this time, four critical challenges in biochemical and thermochemical processing were addressed.October 2020
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Review of Technical Pathways ReportThis report provides an overview of commercial jet aviation fuel and summarizes learnings from three BETO-supported workshops. In addition, the report focuses on insights for reducing costs and optimizing the value proposition of sustainable aviation fuel.September 2020
Plastics for a Circular Economy Workshop: Summary Report This report summarizes the results of a public workshop sponsored by BETO, the Advanced Manufacturing Office, and Mars held on December 11–12, 2019 in Golden, Colorado. The Plastics for a Circular Economy Workshop brought together experts from industry, academia, and national laboratories to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the development of new technologies to address plastic waste.July 2020
Bioenergy Technologies Office: Growing America’s Energy FutureAn overview of how BETO supports groundbreaking technologies to produce fuels, products, and power from non-food sources of biomass and waste resources.July 2020
Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy: AlgaeThe Algae Interagency Working Group under the Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board meets to discuss U.S. federal funding and regulatory activities to increase awareness and coordination among algae relevant government programs. The Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy: Algae is a follow on report to the BR&D Board’s Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy that summarizes Bioeconomy Initiative activities for the algae stakeholder community.July 2020
Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 R&D State of TechnologyBETO funds research and development on technologies necessary for the deployment and production of cost-competitive bioenergy, primarily biofuels. Results of experimental efforts are periodically compiled and compared with benchmark technology designs to assess overall progress. This report provides a status of those R&D efforts at the end of 2019.July 2020
Integrated Strategies to Enable Lower-Cost BiofuelsThis report summarizes the findings of a qualitative analysis to identify integrated strategies needed for more affordable biofuels. It outlines five key strategies needed to achieve lower fuel production costs in an integrated biorefinery and provides high-level research needs across the biofuel supply chain.July 2020
2019 Project Peer Review ReportThis document summarizes the evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at BETO's 2019 Peer Review meeting on March 4–7, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.April 2020
Bio-Restore Workshop Summary ReportThis report summarizes the results of a BETO-sponsored public workshop held at Argonne National Laboratory on September 25–26, 2019. The Bio-Restore Workshop brought together experts to discuss the current state of technologies relevant to terrestrial and algal biomass, and to identify data and research and development relevant to the bio-restore concept.April 2020
FY 2018 BETO Successes Fact SheetBETO focuses on early-stage applied research and development (R&D) to enable sustainable and cost-effective technologies capable of producing bioenergy from non-food sources. In FY 2018, BETO achieved significant R&D advances in renewable fuels and bioproducts. This fact sheet highlights some of those successes.April 2019
2017 Project Peer Review ReportThis document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at BETO's 2017 Peer Review meeting.February 2018
Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework Fact SheetAn overview of an online collaboration and geospatial analysis tool that allows researchers, policymakers, and private industry to explore and engage the latest bioenergy research.July 2017
Bioprose Fact SheetThe Bioprose blog is a key resource for scientific information on the U.S. bioeconomy. The blog posts will provide technical knowledge that shows how BETO sustainably develops biofuels and bioproducts; they will also communicate how researchers are making progress in enhancing U.S. energy security and competitive advantage.June 2017
Bioenergy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2016 SuccessesBETO forms cost-shared, public-private partnerships to help sustainably develop cost-competitive biofuels and bioproducts in the United States from non-food biomass resources. Fiscal year 2016 realized advances in renewable jet fuel and feedstocks research, as well as other hydrocarbon biofuel research and development breakthroughs.March 2017
2016 Billion-Ton Report: Volume 2 Fact SheetsA series of fact sheets that summarize Volume 2 of the 2016 Billion-Ton Report and provide an overview of the actions and research that could enhance the environmental benefits while minimizing negative impacts of biomass production. March 2017
2016 Billion-Ton Report (BT16), Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1, jointly released by BETO and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a pioneering effort to analyze a range of potential environmental effects associated with illustrative near-term and long-term biomass-production scenarios from the 2016 Billion-Ton Report, Volume 1. January 2017
Strategic Plan for a Thriving and Sustainable BioeconomyThis strategic plan provides the framework to realize BETO’s mission to develop transformative and revolutionary sustainable bioenergy technologies for a prosperous nation.December 2016
The Billion Ton Bioeconomy Initiative: Challenges and OpportunitiesThis report addresses several challenges and opportunities that stakeholders have identified as critical to the success of the Bioeconomy Initiative.November 2016
Growing America's Energy FutureAn overview of how BETO is accelerating the development of a sustainable U.S. bioenergy industry to improve our nation's energy security, stimulate the economy, and reduce climate impacts.July 2016
2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, Volume IVolume 1: Economic Availability of Feedstocks of the 2016 Billion-Ton Report is a resource analysis that focuses on the potential economic availability of biomass feedstocks under specific market scenarios.July 2016
2016 Billion-Ton Report: Volume 1 Fact SheetsThe 2016 Billion-Ton Report Volume 1 Fact Sheets provide a brief summary and comparison of the 2016 Billion-Ton Report with the 2011 U.S. Billion-Ton Update, an overview of the potential of different feedstock resources (e.g., forest and agricultural resources, algae, municipal solid waste), and the capacity of feedstock supply systems.July 2016
2015 Bioenergy Technologies Office Peer Review Report This document summarizes the recommendations and evaluations provided by an independent external panel of experts at BETO's 2015 Peer Review meeting.April 2016
Bioenergy Technologies Office FY 2017 Budget At-a-GlanceThis two-page summary highlights what BETO does, why our work matters, and details about FY 2017 priorities and associated funding levels in each of the programs.March 2016
Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Year Program PlanThis regularly updated plan details BETO's strategic and performance goals, targets, activities, and milestones across the biofuels supply chain that are designed to help achieve national economic and energy goals.March 2016
Federal Activities Report on the BioeconomyThe Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy is a product of an interagency collaboration under the Biomass Research and Development Board, which includes members from the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The report has been prepared to emphasize the significant potential for a stronger U.S. bioeconomy through the production and use of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. The report also delves into the wide-ranging, federally funded activities that are currently helping to bolster the bioeconomy.February 2016
Bioenergy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2014 Annual ReportBETO Fiscal Year 2014 Annual ReportMay 2015
Bioenergy Key PublicationsThis overview highlights key publications issued by BETO.

March 2015

Growing America’s Energy Future: Bioenergy Technologies Office Successes of 2014This publication highlights a few significant accomplishments that BETO achieved in 2014. These accomplishments lead toward establishing a fully commercialized, robust, domestically sourced bioindustry. These efforts cover the full range of technology areas in BETO's portfolio.

March 2015

Replacing the Whole Barrel To Reduce U.S. Dependence on OilThis overview provides highlights of BETO's major research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to advance biomass conversion, technology integration in biorefineries, and supply logistics to provide a secure, sustainable supply of advanced biofuels.

July 2013

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AREA PUBLICATIONS
Feedstock Technologies
The success of the U.S. bioeconomy depends, to a large degree, on the quantity and quality of biomass available, and on the industry's ability to cost-effectively utilize biomass for energy production. These documents delineate BETO's feedstock production and logistics activities.
Deploying Purpose-Grown Energy Crops for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Workshop: Summary ReportOn June 6-7, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri, DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted a workshop titled Deploying Purpose-Grown Energy Crops for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The workshop discussed successes, challenges, information gaps, opportunities, and novel ideas for deploying these energy crops. This is the workshop report.February 2024

Soil Carbon Workshop Report

BETO hosted the Bioenergy’s Role in Soil Carbon Storage Workshop in March 2022. The workshop included discussions covering methods for building healthy soils, decarbonizing agriculture and forests, and assessing full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with generating biomass for bioenergy. The types of biomass considered included energy crops, agricultural residues, and forestry residues. This is the workshop summary report.March 2023
Advancing Synergistic Waste Utilization as Biofuels Feedstocks: Preprocessing, Coproducts, and Sustainability Workshop Summary Report

This report summarizes the results of a BETO workshop that invited stakeholders representing academia, industry, municipalities, and federal agencies involved in waste management, resource and energy recovery, waste utilization, and sustainability.

June 2022
Advancing the Bioeconomy: From Waste to Conversion-Ready Feedstocks Workshop Summary ReportThis report summarizes the results of a workshop sponsored by BETO held on February 19–20, 2020. BETO invited experts in the fields of waste management, solid materials handling, and biofuel and bioproduct development and production to give presentations. The workshop explored the potential of using the various components of the municipal solid waste stream (i.e., yard waste, unrecycled paper, food waste, and plastics) to produce feedstock for fuels, chemicals, and products. February 2021
Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium Annual Review of Research – FY2020The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) published its Annual Review of Research FY2020 report, which presents an overview of the accomplishments of FCIC researchers for fiscal year 2020, covering both the low- and high-temperature conversion pathways and all three process areas (feedstock harvest and storage, preprocessing, and conversion). In the report, key research achievements of each task are presented, along with planned FY 2021 work that will build on the FY 2020 accomplishments.January 2020
Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium Fact SheetThis fact sheet is an overview of the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium, which is an R&D consortium of DOE national laboratories dedicated to quantifying, understanding, and managing biomass variability from the field to downstream conversion. December 2019
Feedstocks Supply and Logistics: Mobilizing High-Quality and Sustainable Conversion-Ready FeedstocksA summary of BETO Feedstock Supply and Logistics Program, which focuses on early-stage technology R&D to develop and supply high-quality, energy-dense, and sustainable conversion-ready feedstocks.July 2019
2016 Billion-Ton Report, Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1This report was jointly released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). It is a pioneering effort to analyze a range of potential environmental effects associated with illustrative near-term and long-term biomass-production scenarios from the 2016 Billion-Ton Report, Volume 1. January 2017
2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, Volume 1 

This report is a resource analysis that focuses on the potential economic availability of biomass feedstocks under specific market scenarios. 

Access the Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework 2016 Billion-Ton Report Interactive Version for companion information associated with each chapter of the report, including data and interactive visualizations of potential energy crop production, agricultural residues, and forestry production.

July 2016
Regional Feedstock Partnership Summary Report: Enabling the Billion-Ton Vision This report summarizes the accomplishments of the Regional Feedstock Partnership from 2008 through 2014. It captures the progress made in validating assumptions regarding crop yields in the 2005 Billion-Ton Study, informing and revising the assumptions in the 2011 U.S. Billion-Ton Update and the 2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, and in advancing biomass feedstock research and development.December 2016
U.S. Billion-Ton Update: Biomass Supply for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts IndustryThis analytical report is an update to the 2005 study. It expands on the original report to include a spatial, county-by-county inventory of potentially available primary feedstocks; price and available quantities (e.g., supply curves) for the individual feedstocks; and a more rigorous treatment and modeling of resource sustainability.August 2011
Advanced Algal Systems
Carries out a long-term applied research and development strategy to increase the yields and lower the costs of algal biofuels by working with partners to develop new technologies, to integrate technologies at commercially relevant scales, and conduct crosscutting analyses. This will help researchers understand the potential and challenges of an algal biofuel industry ultimately capable of producing billions of gallons per year of renewable diesel, gasoline, and jet fuels. These activities are integrated with the Office's longstanding approach to accelerate the commercialization of lignocellulosic biofuels.
Algae: A Single Cell for Multiple SolutionsAn overview of BETO's support of public and private partners that work to improve and increase the use of algae for production of biofuels and bioproducts.November 2023
AlgaePrize Competition Fact SheetThe U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, with the Algae Foundation and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, have announced the 2022–2023 AlgaePrize which challenges students to expand novel solutions to algae production, processing, and new product development to help lower the costs of producing algal biofuels and bioproducts, on the way to gigaton-scale algae commercialization. This fact sheet provides an overview of the AlgaePrize.September 2023
Barriers to Scale: Algae Crop Protection Workshop Summary ReportThis report summarizes key takeaways from the 2021 Algae Crop Protection Workshop, including strategies to overcome the significant technical challenge of pests to the scaling and process intensification of the algae industry.November 2021
Advanced Algal SystemsAn overview of how algal biofuels are generating considerable interest, and represent promising pathways to potentially help meet the biofuel production targets.June 2019
Algae Cultivation for Carbon Capture and Utilization Workshop Summary ReportThe Algae Cultivation for Carbon Capture and Utilization Workshop Summary Report summarizes a workshop hosted by BETO on May 23–24, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. The event gathered stakeholder input through facilitated discussions focused on innovative technologies and business strategies for growing algae on waste carbon dioxide resources.September 2017
Algal Biology Toolbox Workshop Summary ReportThe Algal Biology Toolbox Workshop Summary Report summarizes an event hosted by BETO’s Advanced Algal Systems Program in May 2016. The purpose of the Algal Biology Toolbox Workshop was to collect input from experts in the field of algal biology regarding (1) the current state of algal biological tools, including our understanding of algal biology and biochemistry, available molecular toolboxes, databases, and other resources; (2) challenges to developing and applying a full suite of biological tools to improve algae performance and system robustness; and (3) strategies to advance progress toward commercial algal biofuels.September 2016
2016 National Algal Biofuels Technology Review Fact SheetAn overview of the 2016 National Algal Biofuels Technology Review.June 2016
2016 National Algal Biofuels Technology ReviewThe 2016 National Algal Biofuels Technology Review presents information from a scientific, economic, and policy perspectives that can support and guide research, development, and deployment investment in algal biofuels. While addressing the potential economic and environmental benefits of using algal biomass for the production of liquid transportation fuels, the review describes the current status of algae technology.June 2016
Algal Biofuels Technology RoadmapThis roadmap presents information from a scientific, economic, and policy perspectives that can support and guide research, development, and deployment investment in algal biofuels. While addressing the potential economic and environmental benefits of using algal biomass for the production of liquid transportation fuels, the Roadmap describes the current status of algae technology.June 2010
Conversion Technologies
BETO focuses its conversion activities on two routes: biochemical and thermochemical. These efforts focus on technologies and processes that can reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of producing biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. These documents provide information about the steps involved in biochemical and thermochemical conversion and highlight Office activities in conversion and efforts to achieve improvement.
Waste-to-Energy from Municipal Solid Wastes ReportBETO conducted an assessment of potential research and development activities that could improve the economic viability of various municipal solid waste-to-energy options. In the Waste-to-Energy from Municipal Solid Wastes Report, DOE identifies several R&D opportunities for cost-competitive waste-to-energy facilities.August 2019
Agile Biofoundry Fact SheetThis fact sheet is an overview of the Agile Biofoundry, which has a goal to enable 50% reduction in time from conception to the industrial scale up of bioprocesses. The ABF platform unites the unique abilities of DOE national laboratories with targeted outcomes such as an improvement in Design-Build-Test-Learn biological engineering cycle efficiency, new microbial host organisms, and market transformation through the transfer of intellectual property and manufacturing technologies to U.S. industry.April 2019
Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy (ChemCatBio) Fact SheetThis fact sheet is an overview of Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy (ChemCatBio), which is an R&D consortium of DOE national laboratories dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for conversion of biomass and waste feedstocks. Its collaborative approach integrates catalysis and process R&D from foundational science to pilot-scale technology evaluation.March 2019
Cell-Free Synthetic Biology and Biocatalysis-Listening Day Summary ReportBETO hosted a listening day in Denver, Colorado, in 2017, to discuss research and development opportunities related to cell-free synthetic biology and biocatalysis. BETO has developed a report summarizing the day’s discussions.October 2018
Moving Beyond Drop-In Replacements: Performance-Advantaged Biobased Chemicals Workshop Summary ReportThis report summarizes presentations and discussions from a workshop BETO held in June 2017, to gather stakeholder input on the research and development necessary for novel biobased compounds and functional replacements.June 2018
Rewiring the Carbon Economy: Engineered Carbon Reduction Listening Day Summary ReportThs report is based on the proceedings of BETO’s Engineered Carbon Reduction Listening Day, held on July 8, 2017, in La Jolla, California.February 2018
Biofuels and Bioproducts from Wet and Gaseous Waste Streams: Challenges and OpportunitiesAn assessment of the resource potential and technology opportunities provided by feedstocks, including wastewater treatment-derived sludge and biosolids, animal manure, food waste, inedible fats and greases, biogas, and carbon dioxide streams.January 2017
Biomass Conversion: From Feedstocks to Final ProductsAn overview of the office's efforts to convert algae, diverse types of cellulosic biomass, and emerging feedstocks into renewable fuels that are compatible with today’s vehicles and infrastructure.July 2016
Hydrogen, Hydrocarbons, And Bioproduct Precursors From Wastewaters Workshop ReportBETO and the Fuel Cell Technologies Office jointly sponsored a workshop on Hydrogen, Hydrocarbons, and Bioproduct Precursors from Wastewaters (HHBPW) on March 17–18, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The workshop focused on the use of biological, biochemical, and other techniques to produce hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons (containing three or more carbon molecules) from wastewaters. January 2016
Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop Summary ReportThis report is based on the proceedings of BETO’s Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop, held on July 16, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. December 2015
Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Progress ReportDOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Progress Report, updating the federal government's progress to reduce methane emissions through biogas systems since the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap was completed by the three agencies in July 2014. The report highlights actions taken, outlines challenges and opportunities, and identifies next steps to the growth of a robust biogas industry.December 2015
Waste-To-Energy Workshop Summary ReportThis report is based on the proceedings of BETO’s Waste-to-Energy Workshop, held on November 5, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia.June 2015
Energy-Positive Water Resource Recovery Workshop ReportReport for the Energy-Positive Water Resource Recovery Workshop hosted by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and DOE on April 28–29, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia.April 2015 
Data, Modeling, and Analysis (formerly Sustainability and Strategic Analysis)
Proactively identifies and addresses issues that affect the scale-up potential, public acceptance, and long-term viability of advanced bioenergy systems; as a result, the area is critical to achieving BETO’s overall goals. In addition, system-level analyses inform strategic direction and planning efforts; they focus on technology development priorities and identify key drivers and hurdles for industry growth. Technology-specific analyses explore sensitivities and identify areas where investment may lead to the greatest impacts. 
2016 Billion-Ton Report (BT16), Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1, jointly released by BETO and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a pioneering effort to analyze a range of potential environmental effects associated with illustrative near-term and long-term biomass-production scenarios from the 2016 Billion-Ton Report, Volume 1. January 2017
Incorporating Bioenergy Into Sustainable Landscape Designs Workshop Two Summary ReportThis report is based on the proceedings of BETO’s second Incorporating Bioenergy into Sustainable Landscape Designs Workshop, held June 24–26, 2014, in Argonne, Illinois. June 2014
2015 Bioenergy Market ReportThis report provides a status of the markets and technology development involved in growing a domestic bioenergy economy. It compiles and integrates information to provide a snapshot of the current state and historical trends influencing the development of bioenergy markets and highlights some of the key energy and regulatory drivers of bioenergy markets. February 2017
Chemicals from Biomass:
A Market Assessment of Bioproducts with Near-Term Potential
This report assesses the increased momentum toward the deployment and scaled-up production of bio-derived chemicals. March 2016
Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Algal Biomass to Biofuels: Algal Biomass Fractionation to Lipid-and Carbohydrate-Derived Fuel ProductsThis design report evaluates the economics of algal biomass sugars fermentation to ethanol, followed by solvent extraction of lipids to produce renewable diesel fuel.September 2014
Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Algal Biomass to Hydrocarbons: Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction and UpgradingThis design report evaluates the economics of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of whole algal biomass followed by the catalytic upgrading of the HTL oil to produce renewable diesel fuel.March 2014
Process Design and Economics for Biochemical Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to EthanolThis document is a description of one potential biochemical ethanol conversion process, conceptually based upon core conversion and process integration research at NREL. The overarching process design converts corn stover to ethanol by dilute-acid pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and co-fermentation.May 2011
Design Case Summary: Production of Mixed Alcohols from Municipal Solid Waste via GasificationThis case study establishes cost targets for converting municipal solid waste to ethanol and other mixed alcohols via gasification. It highlights the liquid fuel synthesis process and an analysis of capital and operating costsOctober 2010
Design Case Summary: Production of Gasoline and Diesel from Biomass via Fast Pyrolysis, Hydrotreating, and HydrocrackingThis case study takes a look at the current state of conversion technologies in an effort to determine where improvements need to take place in the future. This design case is the first to establish detailed cost targets for the production of diesel and gasoline blendstock from biomass via a fast pyrolysis process.February 2010
Systems Development and Integration (formerly Advanced Development and Optimization)
Aims to reduce investment risk in bioenergy technologies and houses key initiatives such as the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines. 
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines Findings and Impact FY15-FY21 ReportBreakthroughs from the U.S. Department of Energy Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines initiative could make it possible to more rapidly cut emissions, reduce dependence on international petroleum, and contribute to ambitious national goals to slow global warming on the land, in the air, and across the water. Findings from the 6-year collaborative undertaking are now available in this report.June 2022
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines Findings and Impact Fact SheetA four-page summary of the full Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines Findings and Impact FY15-FY21 Report June 2022
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: FY20 Year in ReviewAn overview of the research activities and accomplishments of the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines initiative during the 2020 fiscal year.May 2021
Predictive Models and High-Performance Computing as Tools to Accelerate the Scaling-Up of New Bio-Based Fuels Workshop: Summary ReportThis report summarizes the results of a virtual workshop sponsored by the Bioenergy Technologies Office held on June 9–11, 2020. The workshop discussed best practices for utilizing mathematical modeling tools across multiple scales to reduce technology uncertainty and accelerate scaling-up of biorefinery/chemical production equipment and optimize operations.November 2020
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: FY19 Year in ReviewAn overview of the research activities and accomplishments of the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines initiative during the 2019 fiscal year.June 2020
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines – A Transportation Future with Science in the Driver’s Seat: Mapping a Viable Route Forward for Affordable, Efficient, and Clean Fuels and EnginesFor the past four years, the Co-Optima team has focused research efforts primarily on turbocharged (or “boosted”) spark-ignition (SI) engines for light-duty vehicles, identifying the fuel properties and engine parameters that mitigate knock and maximize boosted SI efficiency, emissions, and performance. The report highlights researchers’ answers to three vital questions: what fuels do engines want, what fuels should we make, and what will work in the real world?March 2020
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: Scientific Innovation for Efficient, Clean, and Affordable TransportationAn overview of the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines Initiative that is bringing together top scientists, engineers, and analysts from nine national laboratories with university and industry partners across the country to investigate fuels and engines as dynamic design variables that can work together to boost efficiency and performance, while minimizing emissions.March 2019
Alternative Aviation Fuels: Overview of Challenges, Opportunities, and Next StepsThe Alternative Aviation Fuels: Overview of Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps report, published by BETO provides an overview of the current state of alternative aviation fuels, based upon findings from recent peer-reviewed studies, scientific working groups, and stakeholder input provided during the Alternative Aviation Fuel Workshop.March 2017
Biorefinery Optimization Workshop Summary ReportThis report is based on the proceedings of BETO’s Biorefinery Optimization Workshop, held October 5–6, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. February 2017
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines: FY16 Year in ReviewAn overview of the research activities and accomplishments of the Co-Optima initiative during the 2016 fiscal year. January 2017
Integrated Biorefineries: Biofuels, Bioproducts, and BiopowerAn overview of integrated biorefineries and BETO's efforts to develop, build, operate, and validate integrated biorefineries on various scales. A crucial step in developing this industry is to establish integrated biorefineries capable of efficiently converting a broad range of biomass feedstocks into affordable biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower.August 2016
Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines For Tomorrow’s Energy-Efficient VehiclesAn overview of the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines Initiative, which is accelerating the introduction of affordable, scalable, and sustainable biofuels and high-efficiency, low-emission vehicle engines. March 2016
Demonstration And Deployment Strategy WorkshopThis report is based on the proceedings of BETO Demonstration and Deployment Strategy Workshop, held March 12–13, 2014, at Argonne National Laboratory.May 2014
Education & Workforce Development
BETO is advancing toward the goal of American energy independence through the development of tools and information on the careers, education, and training opportunities available to meet the needs of a growing bioenergy workforce.

Algae Fun Facts

The U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office is fueling your curiosity with five fun facts you may not know about algae.April 2023
Waste Fun FactsLearn how the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office is transforming trash into fuels and products with a cleaner environmental footprint. Here are five fun facts you may not know about waste.April 2023
BRIDGES Case Study Fact Sheet: Municipal Solid Waste-to-Energy: Traditional Ecology and Environmental JusticeStudents will explore the challenges associated with any community designing a sustainable waste management strategy, and the unique challenges experienced by an over-burdened and underserved community. Students will focus on the ways that science and technology can inform potential solutions while being culturally responsive.March 2023
BRIDGES Case Study Fact Sheet: Regional Feedstocks: Are they the Answer to Achieving a Net Zero Future?Students will assume the role of an intern investigating the biomass-to-bioenergy value chain from harvest to conversion. Students will be challenged to research which regional feedstock is best suited for producing the highest quality fuel for the lowest cost and the best location for a biorefinery to help offset production costs and its carbon footprint.March 2023
BRIDGES Case Study Fact Sheet: Upcycling: Could My Plastic Bag Someday Become the Sustainable Alternative?Students will be introduced to the challenges and benefits of bioenergy technologies, as well as to exciting careers in the bioenergy industry. Students will assume the role of a reaction chemist to learn how scientists and industry professionals reimagine the life cycle of plastics in the U.S. economy.March 2023
BRIDGES Case Study Fact Sheet: Farm to Flight: Are Sustainable Aviation Fuels Good for the Environment?Students will be introduced to the challenges and benefits of bioenergy technologies, as well as to exciting careers within the bioenergy field. Students will assume the role of a sustainability specialist in the cutting-edge biofuel industry to compare the use of sustainable and petroleum-based jet fuels, including their greenhouse gas emissions.March 2023
Bioenergy Research and Education BRIDGES Program Prepares a National Bioenergy WorkforceThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge (BRIDGES) is an educational development program designed to assist educators in teaching bioenergy topics to help prepare the future bioenergy workforce. The bioenergy-themed case studies are based upon foundational bioenergy research at DOE national laboratories.March 2023

BRIDGES Overview Fact Sheet

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge (BRIDGES) is an education and workforce development program designed to assist educators in teaching bioenergy topics to help prepare a national bioenergy workforce.March 2023
Jobs & Economic Impact of a Billion-Ton BioeconomyA summary of how BETO's development of advanced technologies and real-world solutions support green job creation and retention.June 2017
2017 U.S. Energy and Employment ReportThe 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) finds that the Traditional Energy and Energy Efficiency sectors today employ approximately 6.4 million Americans. These sectors increased in 2016 by just under 5 percent, adding over 300,000 net new jobs, roughly 14% of all those created in the country.January 2017