A Feedstock Readiness Level Tool to Complement the Aviation Industry Fuel Readiness Level Tool

Abstract

to describe the steps involved in bringing plant-based feedstocks to market for aviation biofuels production. A candidate feedstock is assigned a FSRL level from 1 through 9, indicating an increasing level of maturity towards commercialization. The FSRL level also communicates the state of development of a feedstock concurrent with its readiness for use with a conversion process. There are four components to the FSRL (production, market, policy, and linkage to conversion process), each with one to four tollgate descriptions per readiness level. The FSRL tool was structured to complement the Fuel Readiness Level (FRL) tool in use by the aviation industry as an internationally recognized communication best practice. Similarly, the FSRL can be used to identify gaps in any feedstock supply chain designed for any biofuel or conversion process that provides a market for feedstocks. This integrated feedstock and conversion technology approach can facilitate a coordinated allocation of resources to effectively plan for and develop a viable aviation biofuels industry.

UK Macro-Algae Biofuels: A Strategic Management Review and Future Research Agenda

“…A useful tool to assess the steps involved in bringing plant-based feedstocks to market for aviation biofuels is the Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) tool which was developed by the US Department of Agriculture, US Federal Aviation Administration and Research and Innovative Technology Administration [19]. The tool allows comparison between different alternative fuels and how their development may be facilitated or constrained by feedstock availability and supply chain development [19].…”

“…The tool allows comparison between different alternative fuels and how their development may be facilitated or constrained by feedstock availability and supply chain development [19]. The tool is comprised of four components which impact the commercialization of any feedstock from (1) production, through (2) market and (3) policy to (4) linkage to the conversion process; within this, feedstocks pass through nine levels from (1) basic principles to (9) production capacity established [19]. The Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) is useful here to assess the further development stages which will be needed to bring the use of macro-algae to maturity and further commercialization [19].…”

“…The tool is comprised of four components which impact the commercialization of any feedstock from (1) production, through (2) market and (3) policy to (4) linkage to the conversion process; within this, feedstocks pass through nine levels from (1) basic principles to (9) production capacity established [19]. The Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) is useful here to assess the further development stages which will be needed to bring the use of macro-algae to maturity and further commercialization [19]. There is uncertainty as to which FSRL stage macro-algae biofuel technology research has reached, but current projects via a range of technologies appear to have demonstrated the basic principles (level 1), concept formulation (level 2) and proof of concept (level 3) (see technical section below).…”

“…As noted as part of the Feedstock Readiness Tool (FSRL) [19] it is extremely important, alongside technological development of the feedstock and related processes, to identify regulatory requirements, determine the potential for societal resistance and overcome social concerns. This shows a need to go beyond technological elements of the development and look more widely at all potential stakeholders who could or will be affected by the production processes.…”

Global approaches to addressing biofuel‐related invasive species risks and incorporation into U.S. laws and policies

“…The aviation industry, which anticipates being dependent on hydrocarbons for the foreseeable future, has shown particularly strong interest in advanced biofuels from nonfood crops, which led the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) to work with USDA on the development of the Feedstock Readiness Level Tool, which maps out the development of a new bioenergy crop for advanced biofuels (Steiner et al 2012). However, while novel bioenergy crops provide the potential to produce advanced, drop-in fuels in synergy with food production, these new crops may pose a threat to native species and ecosystem functions if not properly screened for potential invasion risk.…”