Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium

Stored: Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium

Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium

Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	Bioenergy Technologies Office
Top Organization	Department of Energy
Creation Legislation	None
Website	Website
Purpose	Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium boosts biorefinery reliability by studying feedstock impacts, reducing risks in bioenergy conversion with science.
Program Start	2016
Initial Funding	Not publicly specified
Duration	Ongoing
Historic	No

The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) is a Department of Energy initiative launched in 2016 under the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) to tackle feedstock variability challenges in biorefineries, uniting nine national laboratories—including Idaho National Laboratory (INL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)—with industry advisors.

It employs tools like MFiX for multiphase flow modeling and has produced over 40 studies, culminating in the 2025 Capstone Report, which quantifies variability’s impact on conversion economics and reliability. With the FY25 Industry Partnership Call announced in January 2025, FCIC continues to bridge lab research and commercial deployment, supporting DOE’s sustainable aviation fuel and decarbonization goals.

Official Site

Goals

• Quantify and mitigate feedstock variability effects on biorefinery performance.
• Develop science-based tools and strategies to optimize biomass preprocessing and conversion.
• Enhance industry adoption of bioenergy solutions through validated, scalable technologies.

Organization

The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium is sponsored by BETO, with research coordinated across nine DOE national labs, led by a BETO Program Manager who oversees task-focused teams. Funding from BETO supports lab operations, industry Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), and data sharing via a LabKey-based Bioenergy Data Hub, integrating tools like MFiX from NETL’s Multiphase Flow Science program.

Partners

• Idaho National Laboratory
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Argonne National Laboratory

History

FCIC was established in 2016 to address biorefinery scale-up risks, building on BETO’s feedstock research and formalized at the 2017 Project Peer Review. Milestones include the FY21 Annual Review detailing conversion advances, the 2023 CRADA Call fostering industry ties, and the 2025 Capstone Report synthesizing findings. The FY25 Partnership Call, launched January 17, 2025, extends its impact, aligning with DOE’s broader bioenergy strategy without a set end.

Funding

Initial funding in 2016 was not publicly specified, sourced from BETO’s bioenergy R&D budget. Ongoing support continues via BETO appropriations—e.g., tied to $35 million in 2020 bioenergy R&D—funding labs, CRADAs, and data hubs, with no termination date as it supports long-term decarbonization goals.

Implementation

FCIC conducts research via lab-led tasks on biomass preprocessing and conversion, deploying tools like MFiX for CFD modeling and validating results at facilities like NREL’s Integrated Biorefinery. It advances through studies (e.g., FY21 report), industry partnerships (2023-2025 CRADAs), and data sharing, remaining ongoing as it adapts to bioenergy needs.

Related

• Bioenergy Technologies Office
• Multiphase Flow Science Tools

External links

• https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/feedstock-conversion-interface-consortium
• https://mfix.netl.doe.gov
• wikipedia:Bioenergy

Social media

• https://twitter.com/DOEEERE
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-department-of-energy