According to the report of RFA (Renewable Fuels Association) in February 2019, ethanol is the highest-octane and the least expensive motor fuel on earth. 2. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages | Renew Method Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy - Inspire Clean Energy Furthermore, the burning of coal and oil raises the temperature and warms the planet. The Pros and Cons of Ethanol Fuel - Treehugger Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction. However, this is not the only reason to encourage the use of biofuels. "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. Numerous unsaturated oils have undesirable burn properties. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. They emit less carbon dioxide and other emissions when burned than standard diesel. This lack of compatibility is one of the reasons that biofuels have not been widely adopted as a replacement for fossil fuels. In 2013 Enerkem plans to open a plant there, too, with the help of $130 million in taxpayer funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. And while biofuel is not as clean as other renewables and won't get us out of the woods when it comes to reversing the impacts of climate change, it is a reliable renewable source. That has yet to be an energy source that comes without some drawback. Land use change leads to the loss of biodiversity, especially in many places where native ecosystems were previously untouched, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions from the conversion of carbon-rich ecosystems. Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels - Power Knot Farmers of corn, cotton, and soybeans, all possible sources of biofuel, are increasingly planting genetically modified types of those plants. As an alternative source of energy, they also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing or emitting negative effects that come with the use of this polluting and limited source that has been powering our economies since the industrial revolution but has also brought about increased pollution levels and emissions of greenhouse gases. Biofuels each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_0904_e85_vs_conventional_gasoline/index.html, United States Department of Agriculture. Biogas is methane generated in the process of anaerobic digestion of organic matter by anaerobes. ", David Biello is a contributing editor at Scientific American. These emissions include carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels during the production process and nitrous oxide from soil that has been treated with nitrogen fertilizer. When the engine is running, the differences in combustion features between gasoline and ethanol means that the ethanol-converted engine needs to adjust its ignition timing to work correctly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Linquipis a Professional Network for Equipment manufacturers, industrial customers, and service providers, Copyright 2022 Linquip Company. Utilizing our garbage may help keep flora and fauna healthy, resulting in a healthier ecosystem. In any case, the regeneration of biofuels is also not fast enough to be considered a renewable energy source. Advantages & Disadvantages of Ethanol Biofuel - Physics 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. Lets start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. Performance & security by Cloudflare. This means that when garbage rots in landfills, that stinky gas can be used for energy! They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. The transition to biofuels will affect especially economic sectors of agriculture, manufacture, reprocessing, recycling, and transportation. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Compatibility refers to the ability of a fuel to be used in existing infrastructure and equipment without modification or damage. They cover the soil year-round, and support biodiversity of small soil fauna and mammals by providing nutrients. Biofuels are an energy source obtained from organic material (animal waste, plants, etc. The second most common liquid biofuel is biodiesel, which is made primarily from oily plants (such as the soybean or oil palm) and to a lesser extent from other oily sources (such as waste cooking fat from restaurant deep-frying). Manure and other animal waste can be converted to sustainably meet the energy needs of the farm. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. In a possible moderate ethanol production scenario that includes trash collection and cellulosic ethanol production, sugarcane has the potential to provide sufficient ethanol to meet 14% of Australia's . It has a lower cost for the environment, as it doesnt have to be brought over a long distance, releasing carbon dioxide emissions. Biological source of energy can be produced in many cases from locally available resources, which in turn decreases our reliance on imported fossil fuels that are even becoming rarer. Biomass energy comes from organic materials, such as plants, so that is why it receives classification as a renewable source of energy. Adjunct Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. References: Ann, Ngee. Top 8 Synthetic Fuels | HowStuffWorks But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. Although the creation of biofuels produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is often used to grow the plants that are converted into fuel. Deforestation. Researchers found that the crop engineered to fight off a moth known as prey on corn created pollen that could kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . Researchers are working to increase biofuel yields from weather-tolerant crops [source: Lau]. 16 Important Pros and Cons of Biofuels to Know - Our Endangered World 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. For example, it is estimated that growing one hectare of corn for biofuels takes between 3,000 and 5,000 cubic meters of water per year. As crude oil prices rise, we need several other alternative energy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). This may involve the use of advanced technologies. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. 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. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. Hundreds and even thousands of hectares of unbroken acres of one crop are an irresistible destination for plant pests; pest groups can explode uncontrollably in this tempting environment. 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. Synfuels still remain more expensive to produce than conventional fuels, mostly because more research, development and investment are necessary to make production economically viable. The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. sunlight and water. And high-consumption production practices -- moving palm oil with petroleum-powered trucks and the practice of draining and burning peat bogs to prepare farmland -- have made the southeast Asian nation one of the world's leading greenhouse gas emitters [source: Rosenthal]. But those fertilizers can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment, and expanded biofuel production could mean a major pollution threat to sources of fresh water. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. While biofuels certainly have many potential benefits, there are also a number of challenges and trade-offs associated with their production and long-term use at larger scale. March 2005. But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Incredibly safe. Even solar energy, the long-touted saviour of the ever expanding human appetite for energy is decades away from being feasible on a large scale and without the impact that comes from manipulating toxic chemicals into PV panels. Its use also leads to a significant reduction of particulate matter emissions, the term used to explain solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. The greenhouse emission potential of biofuel varies considerably, from levels comparable to fossil fuels in some situations to negative emissions in others. One potential challenge to the reliability of biofuels is their limited availability, as they are only produced from certain feedstocks (as mentioned in the disadvantages section). Advantages of Biofuels. Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. Additionally, they have a higher viscosity than fossil fuels, which can eventually lead to clogging or damage of fuel filters, injectors, and pumps. Fuel." In the United States the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the use of 136 billion litres (36 billion gallons) of biofuels annually by 2022, more than a sixfold increase over 2006 production levels. Companies such as Ineos Bio are turning trash into other chemicals such as plastics. Biofuels could be a sustainable energy source over the long term if they are produced and used in a responsible and well-planned manner when all the pros and cons of biofuels versus fossil fuels are considered. April 2009. Biofuels may emit lower carbon footprints but the process involved in the production of these fuels largely depends on oil and water. April 14, 2009. The use of biofuels improves energy security of individual countries by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance of countries on a single energy source. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. In the end, making a fuel from garbage remains a promising opportunityas long as the waste is already divvied up into its own component parts, as is happening in Edmonton and at the Three Rivers landfill near Pontotoc, Miss. The unique nature of a monoculture crop raises the risk of a complete loss for the farmer; if a severe strain of corn blight hits an ethanol-producing corn farm, there will be significant damage. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. 6. Perhaps the most straightforward of biofuel's drawbacks is the most obvious: It isn't petroleum-based fuel, so it will operate differently in engines designed for petroleum-based fuel. This is a problem that biofuel crops, food crops, gardens, and lawns have in common all over the world. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. 22 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels - Environment Go! But there's another complication that arises with this selection. "Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare." Biofuel and fertiliser can be made from putrefying gasses emitted by rotting food, in specialist containers called anaeorbic digestors. Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. All of these plants grow better when given fertilizer. Required fields are marked *. Biofuels in Aviation: The Dilemma | Airlines. ), which scientists call biomass. Uses land that could be used to grow food. Biofuels are considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide emitted when they are burned is offset by the carbon dioxide that was absorbed by the plants during photosynthesis. For this and other reasons, perennials such as switchgrass and miscanthus have gained in popularity as feedstock for biofuels, as they leave much more ground cover after harvest for the prevention of soil loss. "Preventing Pollution Problems from Lawn and Garden Fertilizers." Aug. 11, 2006. The cost of biofuel production can vary depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the specific technologies used. Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. Compared to fossil fuels, biofuels are considered to be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source due to their renewability and lower emissions of greenhouse gases during burning. 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. and B.P. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? It may cause food scarcity because of the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for Biofuel production 3. Ch 15/16/17 Flashcards | Quizlet Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. Algae has the same concerns of monoculture that the agriculture industry experiences. Although current gas reservoirs will remain available for many years, they will deplete in anot-too-distant future. It generates harmful emissions 2. 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. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. We are going to describe these advantages in this section. The symbols of agricultural success in many parts of the world are endless fields of corn, soybeans or wheat, with identical crops stretching as far as the eye can see. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. Similarly, nutrients that are returned to the soil through crop rotation and allow fields to lay fallow disappear under extreme monocultural farming. Other biofuels include methane gas and biogaswhich can be derived from the decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygenand methanol, butanol, and dimethyl etherwhich are in development. Central to the problem is corn's relatively high water requirement. Studies show that the machinery needed to cultivate the crops emits large carbon emissions. The mere biomass energy definition of turning waste to electricity is an exciting prospect and one that any logic dictates as a good idea to pursue. Common fertilizers include nitrogen and phosphorus. University of California, Berkeley. In the long term, this may lead to a decrease in food availability, nutritional quality of available foods, diversity of food crops, and possibly endanger food security. Drivers of vehicles who use these fuels usually have to install heating units to protect the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel or dual-fuel mechanisms flushing the engine with petroleum diesel during start-up and shut-down. But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. Ethanol-production facilities use far more electricity to run than they produce in fuel. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Discover world-changing science. 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. Looking for Renewable Energy Device & Equipment Prices? (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-346-W.pdf, Altieri, Miguel A. We are working hard to improve our content. Nevertheless, in 2012 Edmonton will host a chemical plant owned by Enerkem that will turn garbage into 36 million liters of ethanol and methanol per year. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Overuse or inappropriate application can leave excess fertilizer in the soil, which then washes through regional watersheds and into streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. Also, It increases microbial growth in the engine, making the engine filters clogged. They produce industrial pollution. Biodiesel, as the most common biofuel in Europe, is generated from oils or fats using transesterification. Bloomberg Businessweek. The benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels depend on a variety of factors that need to be considered when used on a large scale. Biodiesel is a renewable and clean-burning fuel that is made from waste vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles. Biofuels are made from various sources, including manure, crop waste, algae, other byproducts, and plants grown specifically for fuel. This isn't the selective breeding that farmers have practiced for years; genetically modified crops are altered in the lab to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests or produce higher yields. List of Disadvantages of Algae Biofuel. Turning garbage into fuel is potentially an answer to two pressing problemsdiminishing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and an alternative to burying trash in landfills. An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas are not efficient. Economics of Biofuels | US EPA But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. Second, the oil produced by these plants is not identical. But there is another problem that appears with this selection. Disadvantages of Biofuels. In diverting arable land and feedstock from the human food chain, biofuel production can affect the economics of food price and availability. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. Because of the higher gel point of many biodiesel producing oils than petroleum, it is difficult, if not impossible, to start a biodiesel engine in cold weather. Captured carbon dioxide could be sequestered (stored) in long-term repositories such as geologic formations beneath the land, in sediments of the deep ocean, or conceivably as solids such as carbonates. It took millions of years for organic materials to transform into fossil fuels stores we currently mine for our energy needs. Anything that is local comes with an extra benefit. The process is not always cost-effective: Yes, though it may pay cash to the contributors, the truth is this process needs a lot of money, time and land to set up a plant and run. The following figure shows the biodiesel cycle schematically. Less carbon emissions . It might seem counterintuitive at first, but some scientists argue that widespread biofuel production is a negative-sum game: Producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel, they argue, requires the energy equivalent to several gallons' worth of petroleum fuel [source: Pimentel]. Converting from one fuel to the other, in some cases, needs a set of new injectors, gaskets, and fuel lines. 10 Disadvantages of Biofuels By: Matt Cunningham Biofuels, made from crops such as corn, can have negative economic and environmental effects, as well as positive ones.