Challenges in Cellulosic Ethanol
The cellulosic ethanol industry has reached the commercial deployment phase as evident from the number of plants listed in Table 17.6. However, high capitol risks, OPEC-induced price distortions, constrained blending markets, and policy uncertainties can still impose a slowing down effect on the industry. Then on the other hand, there are technological challenges also. In spite of tremendous progress made in cellulosic ethanol technologies in the last 20 years, there are still certain deficiencies in all pathways to cellulosic ethanol. These weaker areas need further research in advancing efficiencies, or discoveries in new or alternative techniques, that may help in lowering the MESP. Tremendous focus is essential in developing a detailed understanding of lignocellulose, the main structural material in plants. These explorations are needed in the directions of cellulose synthesis, fibril formation to mature plant cell wall architectures, forming a foundation for significant advancement in sustainable energy materials. Improvements in biomass characterization techniques and, understanding and overcoming the barriers for enzymatic hydrolysis of different raw materials is essential for the development of economically competitive processes based on enzymatic methods.