The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) seeks feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to mobilizing biomass resources to support a “billion-ton bioeconomy.”

Existing feedstock supply systems are reportedly not adequate to reliably provide high-quality feedstock at the increasing volumes demanded over the next few decades by a growing bioeconomy. Current systems and technologies have limitations in providing uniform feedstocks with specified composition, shape, size, and moisture characteristics. New logistics and processing technologies and systems are needed to address these challenges to support a growing biomass derived industry and bioeconomy. Advanced systems in the future may involve central processing and distribution centers such as feedstock depots or be stand-alone operations.

By the way, this is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), according to the DOE. Responses to this RFI (request for information) must be submitted electronically to BETOAFSS@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00pm (ET) on June 30, 2016. Responses must be provided as attachments to an email. Only electronic responses will be accepted.