Biofuels as an Alternative Source of Energy
Biofuels, a sustainable energy source that will rewrite how we live...
Biofuels are produced by converting organic matter into fuel that provides energy to run our societies. These biofuels are an important alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we currently depend upon.Ethanol is one type of biofuel. Ethanol, a type of alcohol (ethyl alcohol) that is fermented and then distilled from plants such as sugar cane, different vegetable and corn. The main push for the production of Ethanol is to use Ethanol as as either an additive to or a replacement for gasoline. But it has other purposes as well, it is used as a solvent and has a role in certain chemical processes. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that Ethanol could replace (as a transportation fuel) up to 10 percent of the world's gasoline usage by 2025, and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the replacement percentage figure is two percent.
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Biofuels are in their infancy. We have a long way to go in refining, distributing and in general Making these fuels economical. Still their positive impact on the economy is being felt and will certainly increase n the future. Six percent of the gasoline content sold in California is comprosed of Ethanol, for example.
One area of concern is the energy efficiency of biofuels as compared to petroleum products. A study by Oregon State University states that we have yet to develop biofuels that are as energy efficient as gasoline made from petroleum. Energy efficiency is the measure of how much usable energy for a needed purposes is derived from a certain amount of input energy. (Input energy is the effort it takes to produce the end-product.) To clarify the meaning of energy efficiency think about running your car. The input energy is burning the gasoline in their car, the output is your car moving on the road. Gasoline made from petroleum is 75% energy efficient, in moving your car, while 25% of the energy produced by burning the gas is wasted or lost.
The OSU study found corn-derived ethanol to be only 20% energy efficient. Biodiesel fuel (fuel derived from vegetable oils) was recorded at 69% energy efficiency. However, the study did turn up one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than that of the fantastically efficient nuclear energy.
Will biofuels have an impact on the cost of a barrel of oil? In the short term, probably not. But with the growing trend towards biofuel production, this may change. Recently, the Chicago Stock Exchange has noticed that the grain futures market is starting to “steal” investment activity away from the oil futures in NY, as investors are beginning to expect better profitability to start coming from biofuels. Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the entire world's transportation fuels by the year 2030. My prediction is that the percentage number will be much higher... One certain energy markets analyst has said, growth in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down dramatically, if the government subsidizes firms distributing biofuels and further pushes to promote the use of eco-friendly fuel.
There are several nations which are seriously involved in the development of biofuels.
There is Brazil, which happens to be the world's biggest producer of ethanols derived from sugars. It produces approximately three and a half billion gallons of ethanol per year. Many of Braxil's cars now run on ethanol.
The United States, while being the world's greatest oil-guzzler, is already the second largest producer of biofuels behind Brazil.
The European Union's biodiesel production capacity is now in excess of four million (British) tonnes. 80 percent of the EU's biodiesel fuels are derived from rapeseed oil; soybean oil and a marginal quantity of palm oil comprise the other 20 percent.
About the Author
Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including: Sherlock Holmes Pastiches, On The Hook | Fishing Guide, Great Food | Great Recipes, Dieting Help | Move More - Eat Less, To The Stars | Astronomy, and Drive The Future | Hybrid Cars.
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