Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. The cost of biofuel production can vary depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the specific technologies used. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. There is a variety of applications, including electricity generation, and heating. This can limit the scale of biofuel production and make it more vulnerable to disruptions such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. While the first is a bit beyond the control of biofuel producers, the second is at the core of a potentially serious drawback of plant-based fuels: The water demands of some biofuel-producing crops could put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not managed wisely. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. 2007. The greenhouse emission potential of biofuel varies considerably, from levels comparable to fossil fuels in some situations to negative emissions in others. When the plant biomass is burned, it releases this absorbed carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Additionally, the grass mix actually helps to offset carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For example, the process of growing corn to produce ethanol consumes fossil fuels in farming equipment, in fertilizer manufacturing, in corn transportation, and in ethanol distillation. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels. There are a few potential negative effects of biofuels on the environment and economy that need to be considered when forming an opinion about their use in the future. The problem is even worse for pure vegetable oil, used as fuel in so-called "greasecars." (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. The rise in demand for food-biofuel crops can have a positive effect for crop producers, in the form of higher prices for their produce. Partial combustion is a fuel-burning with insufficient oxygen to convert the biomass entirely to carbon dioxide and water. Feb. 5, 2007. Biofuels burn clean, emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases, and are entirely biodegradable. While the range of oil-producing products examined viable for biofuel is wide enough to grow in most zones, high-yield crops do not grow everywhere. This is a great news for sustainable future planning since the use of biofuels is in agreement with the development of a circular economy by closing the loop on resource use. But in much the same way that oranges will never be a cash crop in Alaska, there will always be some regions that simply can't support large-scale production of biofuel-rich crops. "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops -- Recent Experiences." PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. To begin a detailed discussion of this subject, the following are some of the recognised benefits and drawbacks of biofuels. Land use for biofuels may not cause a severe shortage of food; however, it will put pressure on the current increase of crops. Think about the oils in your kitchen: While the olive oil in the cupboard is easy to pour, the lard and vegetable shortening have a paste-like consistency. The development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. "The Economics of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum Using the MixAlco Process." Let us now have a look at the disadvantages also. Thanks for reading Scientific American. High Cost of Production Though there are many reasons to want to use biofuels, they do have a very high cost of production and are too expensive to produce, especially considering current market conditions. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. "The Ripple Effect: Biofuels, Food Security and the Environment." Just consider: biodiesel is a biodegradable fuel that releases less emissions when burned. This can lead to food insecurity in local communities and increase in food prices. 2010. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. For the billions of people who live on only a few dollars per day, even a small increase in food prices could put their access to proper nutrition at risk. Import Tuner. This is due to the fact that biofuels are derived from renewable resources, such as crops and waste materials, which is more expensive to grow and process than fossil fuels. Your IP: ), which scientists call biomass. Lets have a look at the main advantages of biofuels over fossil fuels: Biofuels replenish over time, whereas fossil fuels are non-renewable and will eventually run out. The use of biofuels can therefore help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy system. On the other hand, burning garbage produces air pollution and releases the chemicals and substances in the waste into the air. 1. MIT Technology Review. The quantity of vegetable oil available in an acre of crops can range greatly, from 18 gallons for corn to 635 gallons per acre for oil palm. Growing demand for food-biofuel crops may have a positive result for crop producers due to higher prices for their products. Here at Linquip you can send inquiries to all Renewable Energy suppliers and receive quotations for free, Your email address will not be published. Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Also, It increases microbial growth in the engine, making the engine filters clogged. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. The production cost per liter of ethanol is still high compared . Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. The production of biofuels can compete with food production for land and resources, which can lead to higher food prices. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Biofuel crops are no different from petunias or peppers in this regard. and environmental chaos ensued. This allows the engine to run for longer periods with less maintenance and reduces overall pollution check costs. Compared with making ethanol from crops, the environmental benefits of making it from waste are clear: It diminishes the demand for landfills and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. It contributes to deforestation 4. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel producing lower emissions as compared to fossil fuels when burnt. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. One way to counter this lies in simple diplomacy: The globalization of world commerce means that it's now easier than ever to move food supplies from one part of the world to another in response to increased demand. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy Biomass Energy . Studies show that biofuels decrease greenhouse gases by up to 65 percent. sunlight and water. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. University of Minnesota. Biodiesel is less efficient than gasoline Biomass: Should we focus on more eco-friendly renewable energy? And alcohol fuels (including ethanol) can corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings used in gasoline-powered engines. They produce industrial pollution. One distinctive promise of biofuels is that, in combination with an emerging technology called carbon capture and storage, the process of producing and using biofuels may be capable of perpetually removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. Examples include ancient people burning wood and branches to generate fire. And again, not every climate region is suitable for a high-yield crop that could produce economically viable biodiesel [source: Burpee]. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. There is a huge potential for bioenergy obtained from waste to decrease the speed of global warming. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction. Biofuel production using food crops such as corn, soybeans and sorghum has the potential to alter drastically the world's access to affordable food. Biofuels each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Converting degraded agricultural land that is out of production to such high-diversity biofuel sources could increase wildlife area, reduce erosion, cleanse waterborne pollutants, store carbon dioxide from the air as carbon compounds in the soil, and ultimately restore fertility to degraded lands. This means that when garbage rots in landfills, that stinky gas can be used for energy! The simple economic system of supply and demand of biofuels increases the demand for corn, for example, and it becomes more expensive. . First, there is the issue of output. One of the key challenges in making the use of biofuels more sustainable over the long term is ensuring that they are sourced from feedstocks that have a low carbon footprint and are not in competition with food production. The plant will turn 300 metric tons of raw fluff per day into 36 million liters of ethanol per year. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. It isn't as effective a fuel as traditional gasoline. First, a brief introduction to biofuels is essential. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. In general, biofuels can be a reliable energy source if they are produced and used in a responsible and sustainable manner. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. The fourth generation of biofuels includes electro fuels and solar fuels. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests.
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