The Prospective Impact of Technological Advances in Value-Sensitive Design (VSD) Used in the Biorefinery Design Selection Processes

The need for biorefinery development is becoming more and more important as the world’s demand for sustainable materials and energy accumulates. Biorefineries play a pivotal role in the emerging bioeconomy by transforming/converting sustainable biomass resources into beneficial bio-based goods. Nevertheless, creating biorefineries that adhere to societal values, environmental sustainability, and economic viability poses complex challenges. This chapter explores the innovative application of value-sensitive design (VSD) as a decision-making approach for biorefinery design. VSD is an interdisciplinary framework that integrates ethical, social, and technical aspects into technology system design. Within the biorefinery context, VSD presents a promising strategy to tackle the intricate ethical and societal issues related to biofuel, chemical, and material production. By involving various stakeholders, including local communities, environmental advocates, and industry experts, VSD enables a comprehensive understanding of diverse values and interests crucial to the design process. This chapter examines essential elements of VSD implementation in biorefinery design, such as identifying relevant stakeholders, eliciting their values, and translating these values into design requirements. Also, it looks at how cutting-edge technology like data analytics and artificial intelligence might improve VSD and its effectiveness in biorefinery decision-making by offering insights into the intricate connections between design choices and their societal consequences. Incorporating VSD empowers biorefinery designers and decision-makers to navigate the ethical and societal dimensions of their projects, striving for more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable outcomes. This chapter underscores VSD and its potential as a valuable tool in the pursuit of biorefineries that not only light technical and economic standards but also align with the values and aspirations of diverse stakeholders in the bioeconomy.