A Proposed Integrated Sustainability Model for a Bioenergy System

The usage of bioenergy is expected to increase for at least ten more years in the U.S. owing to its environmental benefits relative to petroleum. Growing biomass, converting it to a biofuel (e.g., corn ethanol), and using the biofuel has consequences related to the three dimensions of sustainability: economy, environment, and society. An integrated sustainability model (ISM) using system dynamics is developed for bioenergy systems to understand how changes in bioenergy production influence environmental measures, economic development, and social impacts. Predictions, such as greenhouse gas emissions, biofuel price, and employment, can be made for a given temporal and spatial scale.