Analyses of bioenergy systems: detecting hard-coding errors in spreadsheets, and comparing biofuel cropping systems
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
Like any other technology, bioenergy has a spectrum of advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Biofuels, for instance, are expected to reduce the dependence on foreign oil considerably, but the energy balance and carbon emission savings achieved by biofuels is still under question. However, amidst all this debate, global bioenergy development continues to take place and is being studied and investigated by scientists, engineers and government agencies worldwide. Simulation, modeling and analysis of bioenergy systems is an inherent and critical part of this process. The first part of this thesis deals with the detection and subcategorization of hard-coding errors (a prominent type of spreadsheet error) in bioenergy-relevant spreadsheets. The second part of this thesis deals with the life cycle analysis of six kinds of cropping systems for bioenergy production, including conventional and alternate; and their assessment from various standpoints of energy, net productivity, and adverse environmental impacts.