Bioenergy Feedstock Library

1. DISCLAIMERS: BEA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES—EXPRESS OR IMPLIED: (1) AS TO THE QUALITY, ACCURACY, OR SAFETY FOR ANY USE OF THE REFERENCE DATA; (2) THAT USE OF THE REFERENCE DATA WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHT; AND (3) AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING RECIPIENT’S INTENDED PURPOSE. ALL REFERENCE DATA IS PROVIDED “AS IS.”
2. LIABILITY RELEASE: Recipient assumes all liability for damages which may arise from its use of the Reference Data. Recipient agrees to waive all claims and damages against BEA, the U.S. Government, and persons acting on their behalf, arising from the use of the Reference Data by the Recipient. NEITHER BEA NOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ATTRIBUTED TO: (1) THE REFERENCE DATA; OR (2) ANY PRODUCT OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPED FROM THE REFERENCE DATA.
3. GENERAL INDEMNITY: Recipient agrees to indemnify BEA, the U.S. Government, and persons acting on their behalf from all liability; including damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred; to any person, including the Recipient; for injury to or death of persons or other living things, or damage to or destruction of property arising out of Recipient’s use of the Reference Data; and not directly resulting from the fault or negligence of BEA, the U.S. Government, or persons acting on their behalf.
4. PRODUCT LIABILITY INDEMNITY: Recipient agrees to indemnify BEA, the U.S. Government, and persons acting on their behalf from all liability; including damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred; to any person, including the Recipient; for injury to or death of persons or other living things, or damage to or destruction of property, arising out of the making, using, or selling of a product, process, or service which was derived from the Reference Data by or on behalf of the Recipient, its assignees, or its licensees; and not directly resulting from the fault or negligence of BEA, the U.S. Government, or persons acting on their behalf.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNITY: Recipient agrees to indemnify BEA, the U.S. Government, and persons acting on their behalf from all liability; including damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred; for infringement of any patent, copyright, or other intellectual property arising out of any acts performed or directed by the Recipient to be performed regarding the Reference Data to the extent such acts are not already performed at the facility. Such indemnity shall not apply to a claimed infringement that is settled without the consent of the Recipient unless required by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Updated 9/30/2017

Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of information does the Library house?

Our data base tracks a wide variety of information. First, Meta data, which is any background information that may be associated with feedstocks. (Harvest location, harvest and process dates, types of equipment used in processing, fertilizer applications, rain fall, etc.) Second, processing methods, which tracks all physical and environmental changes a feedstock may have undergone, generating a sample hierarchy. Third, and most importantly, all analysis data and analytical procedures used to determine feedstock characteristics.

Why should I create an account?

The Bioenergy Feedstock Library is a secure location to store your data. Your data can be made public for all users to view, or held privately until ready for release.
A unique system that allows you to compare your data with other data sets across the nation and in some cases, internationally.
The flexibility of the Library allows users to load their own analytical procedures which then you may compare data sets with other analytical procedures.
A User has ability to have publications seen and be cited. Also, have access to other publications and the data sets associated with them.
Collaborate with other teams from academia, industry and government research entities on a global level.

How do I create an account?

That’s easy! Register for an account on our website under the Login/Register link . A library administrator will review your request, and then notify you when your account has been activated.

What is a Project?

Projects are fantastic ways to keep all of your data in one location inside the data base. With new users each week, they create a "title" or "Project" of their choosing, linked directly to their facility, with the ability to manage their samples and list their analysis results. Have multiple Projects? Not a problem! We can generate as many Projects that you may need, and have them connected to your institution.

How do I search for data in the Library?

Once you have a user account, you will be able to search the sample database by feedstock, projects, analysis types, and more. Look for specific feed stocks from a multitude of locations. Want to know about ash content? Start your search in our analysis data, and down select your feedstocks of interest from there. The search capabilities are endless! Not only that, you can export all information that you are interested in straight into Excel.

What is a GUID?

A GUID is a Global Unique Identifier. Our Bioenergy Feedstock Library uses a 32 number barcoding system, or GUID, that is assigned to each sample uploaded into our data base. Each sample will have a “unique” number associated with it for tracking purposes, and to upload analysis data associated with that sample.

What does hierarchy mean?

Hierarchy is the "family tree" so to speak of each sample. The Bioenergy Feedstock Library has a unique capability of tracking the family heritage of a sample. This could range from the physical changes a sample may have undergone prior to analysis, up to the harvest location, plot, field, etc. It is a fantastic visual tool that helps Users understand the full process and sample background in one display.

What is a Reference Material?

Reference Material is a variety of different Feedstocks that have had extensive analysis performed on them at Idaho National Laboratories. INL has procured and tested biomass materials for use in research applications. These materials are available by request to other researchers.

How can I request reference material?

From the home page (https://bioenergylibrary.inl.gov), simply go to Biomass Info. From there, you may request the feedstocks of interest by filling out a short form. Please look at the data sheets for the biomass available. These pdf files contain valuable information on the feedstock characteristics.

Now that I have an account, how can I start managing my own data and projects?

Please contact any of our friendly and helpful Library Administrators (Contact Information found on our Bio Page), and they will gladly walk you through the process. Once it is determined what type of data and tracking you are interested in, we will help to set up a specific template to get you started.

What is the Attribute Graphs Tool?

This is a very powerful tool that pulls attribute values from sample data sets stored in the Library. This is very beneficial in visualizing different varieties of feedstock characteristics.

What is the Analysis Summary Tool?

The Analysis Summary is a fantastic way to see graph, showing all types of data and feedstocks in one spot. This tool pulls all information at once, to show a user what types feedstocks and associated data is stored in the Library. Please show some patience, this takes a few minutes to load, but well worth the wait!!

What is the Blend Prediction Tool?

The Blend Prediction Tool is a phenomenal way to predict blend characteristics. You simply pick the types of feedstocks and what percentages you may use for your blend, and this Tool pulls analysis information from the library to “predict” the types of characteristics for your newly created blend!

What is the Least Cost Formulation Demonstration Tool?

The LCF Toolset is a powerful and flexible tool for examining the ways in which bioenergy scenarios scale from initial deployment to market saturation taking into account issues of competition, supply availability, transportation logistics, and feedstock blend quality. Its readily adaptable design allows users to rapidly adapt it to examine new and novel approaches as they are imagined.

How do I cite the library when I use data or data visualization capabilities?

Please use the following text for citations: U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory. "Bioenergy Feedstock Library." bioenergylibrary.inl.gov (accessed, Date)