Biofuels are energy sources made from living things, or the waste that living things produce ( Cornell University,n.d). The most common worldwide biofuel is ethanol, produced from fermenting sugars such as wheat and corn (Cornell University n.d). Biofuels themselves can be divided into generations, the first generation consisting of sugars, starches, oil and animal fats which include biodiesel and bioethanol; the second generation of biofuels are made from non-food crops or agricultural waste; third generation biofuels are made from algae and fourth generation from specially engineered plants (Cornell University, n.d). Economic activity and energy demand are significantly increasing particularly in the developing world (IEA,2009). Biofuels have been suggested as a cheap and relatively easy method to cope with this demand and are considered a renewable energy source, providing ecosystem services as well. These services include the obvious source of being a sustainable fuel but also can provide climate regulation.
As with any renewable energy source they come with both advantages and disadvantages. With regards to the environmental advantages provided by biofuels, liquid biofuels can be used as additives and in some cases substitute conventional transport fuels. Bioethanol can also be easily formed from the fermentation of sugar or starch crops ( Fischer et. al , 2009). Studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline can reduce greenhouse gases because biofuels sequester carbon through the growth of the feedtstock.( Searchinger et.al, 2008) Furthermore the use of biodiesel can now be produced through the vegetable fats.
Social advantages are also evident and has been predicted that the introduction of 6000 full-time construction jobs and over 2,000 jobs supplying and operating the plant will be produced from biofuels helping to boost economies (NNFCC,2011).
However disadvantages to the environment can also be an issue. Biofuel use has been suggested to compete with other provisioning services such as timber and fibre, for example the people in Indian Jatropha , plantations have been set up on communal land, displacing household needs as well as resources used to make a living (Searchinger et.al 2008).
Searchinger et.al (2008) predicted using an agricultural model that corn based ethanol instead of producing 20% savings nearly doubles the emissions over 30 years and increases greenhouse gases for 167 years. The model also suggested that biofuels produced from switchgrass if grown on the US corn lands, increase emissions by 50%
Water quality is being impacted through the use of biofuels. Biofuel production can affect freshwater ecosystems through over exploitation and degradation through pollution. Some people fear that biofuel expansion will also increase the water demands. One particular biofuel crop, sugarcane has been found to impact the water quality through increasing turbidity, changing the oxygen balance and increased coli levels in some river waters (Gunkel et. al. 2007.)
In conclusion it is evident that biofuels come with advantages and disadvantages to the environment, social and economic factors. These factors need to be considered for successful biofuel use to be in operation that provides more benefits than cons to the community. Therefore it can be suggested that biofuels are a relatively new type of research for use as a renewable energy source and careful consideration needs to be implemented.
Other renewable energy technologies are available and could help you reduce your environmental impact and save money on your energy bills in the future.
References ;
Cornell university n.d.,what are biofuels? Available at; http://www.greenchoices.cornell.edu/energy/biofuels/ . Accessed on 18th July 2013.
Fisher,B. Turner, R.K,. Morling P. 2009. Defining and classifying ecosystem services for decision making. Ecology and Economics., vol. 68 pp. 643–653
Gunkel,G,.Kosmol,J. Sobral,M,.Rohn, H,. Montenegro,S,.Aurelian.2007. Sugarcane industry as a source of water pollution–Case Study on the situation in Ipojuca River, Pernambuco, Brazil. Water Air Soil Pollution. vol180 .pp. 261–269
IEA, 2009. World Energy Outlook. Edition. International Energy Agency, Paris. Available athttp://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/2009.asp. Accessed on 18th July 2013.
NNFCC.2011 “Advanced Biofuels: The Potential for a UK Industry, NNFCC 11-011″. Available at: http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/tools/advanced-biofuels-the-potential-for-a-uk-industry-nnfcc-11-011 accessed on : 18th July 2013..
Searchinger, T., Heimlich,R. Houghton, R. Dong, F. Elobeid, F., Fabiosa, J., Tokgoz, S., Hayes, D, Yu.T. 2008. Use of US croplands for biofuels increases greenhouse gases thorugh emissions of land-use change. Science vol 39.
