Development and Technologies of Biomass Conversion Process, Biofuel Production and Biorefinery

Dear Colleagues, 

The global shift toward sustainable energy systems has positioned biomass conversion and biorefinery technologies at the forefront of the energy transition. This Special Issue aims to capture innovative, interdisciplinary research advancing the development of energy-efficient and digitally integrated biomass conversion pathways. With a focus on next-generation biofuels and renewable energy carriers, the issue seeks to highlight scalable solutions that synergize chemical, biological, and electrochemical processes with intelligent control systems and real-time energy optimization.

Today’s biomass technologies must go beyond conventional energy outputs and address broader objectives such as circular resource utilization, real-time system optimization, and integration with smart energy grids. Innovations in catalytic engineering, bioprocess intensification, and AI-augmented modeling are unlocking new pathways for converting heterogeneous biomass feedstocks (e.g., lignocellulose, algae, organic municipal waste) into sustainable energy vectors such as biohydrogen, bioethanol, biogas, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). The next generation of biorefineries will be inherently modular, digitally interconnected, and capable of co-producing bioenergy, platform chemicals, and value-added co-products with minimal carbon footprints.

Emerging approaches emphasize the synergistic integration of physical, chemical, and biological processes, frequently supported by advanced computational tools including machine learning, nonlinear optimization, digital twins, and real-time analytics. At the same time, techno-economic assessments (TEAs) and life cycle sustainability analyses (LCSAs) are crucial for ensuring the scalability and market readiness of these innovations.

We invite contributions that delve into the following research frontiers, which represent the most promising and high-impact directions in the field of biomass energy science:

1. The coupling of biomass conversion with carbon capture, energy storage, and renewable power systems;
2. The valorization of process by-products (e.g., syngas, biochar, organic acids) for energy recovery and circular economy applications;
3. Thermochemical innovations: plasma-assisted, microwave, solar–thermal, and hybrid fuel generation;
4. Advanced catalytic systems and novel catalysts for the selective and high-yield transformation of biomass into energy-rich compounds;
5. Hybrid and intensified reactor configurations for continuous biofuel and energy carrier production;
6. Digital twin technologies for predictive modeling and real-time energy optimization in bioprocesses;
7. The multi-scale kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of biomass to energy conversion under dynamic process conditions;
8. Techno-economic and life cycle energy assessments of novel biorefinery architectures.

Through the lens of energy science and engineering, this Special Issue seeks to establish a roadmap for next-generation biomass conversion technologies that are not only technically sound but also environmentally and economically sustainable. We welcome original research, critical reviews, and visionary perspectives from scholars and practitioners at the forefront of energy-focused sciences. 

Prof. Dr. Ningbo Gao
Dr. Fengchao Wang
Dr. Cui Quan
Guest Editors

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• biomass
• conversion process
• biofuel
• biorefinery
• thermal conversion