While electric vehicles (EV) are hogging the lime light for all the right reasons, there is a sub section of the fuel industry that is gradually making a major impact on the energy sector. Biofuels – which are fulfilling a need for clean liquid fuel – have managed to garner immense interest in terms of R&D as well as investments from stakeholders in the energy industry. Here is a brief on how biofuels are redefining the energy and transportation sector.
Biofuels: the backbone of cleaner transportation sector
The “fuel of the future” promises a clean, renewable, and domestically available substitute for traditional fuel options. In an era when the decarbonization of the transportation industry has become a priority, biofuels are one of the most practical and sustainable ways of “cleaning up” the transport sector. For example, according to the Renewable Fuels Association, biofuels have eliminated close to 300 million metric tons of carbon, which is equivalent to taking 6 million cars off the road since 2007.
Even the aviation industry has woken up to the benefits of the biofuels revolution, and is working on a plan to replace traditional jet fuels with biofuel blends. The United Airlines is already testing out biofuels in its fleet by using a blend of 30 percent biofuels with 70 percent conventional jet fuels.
Read: Are Biofuels the Future of the Aviation Industry?
All of these developments point to the fact that biofuels do have a vital role to play in building the framework of a clean transportation system.
Long term viability of biofuel as an alternative energy source
The drive into a low carbon future is not an easy one, especially because reducing emissions in one part of the fuel chain can mean creating more emissions elsewhere. This explains why a successful transition from fossil fuels to biofuels requires a need to keep emission levels in check. According to our industry experts, when compared with diesel fuels, the direct emissions caused by biofuels are up to 90 percent less.
The only way in which biofuels can be turned into a viable alternative energy source is by having the proper laws in place so that there is an intelligent allocation of land for food security and biofuel raw material production. In Brazil, the law demands preservation of between 20 and 80 percent of the land, depending on the ecological area.
Read: Surge in Demand for Biofuels Means Huge Growth for Biorefinery Market
Compared to the first and the second-generation biofuels, the third and the fourth-generation biofuels use feedstock, which is far less expensive. This feedstock can also be genetically manipulated to directly produce ethanol, butanol, and even gasoline and diesel fuel. Also, there are several start-ups that have chosen algae as the best feedstock for biofuel production. Algae performs the dual role of not only displacing hydrocarbon fuels, but also directly feeding on the CO2 produced from the power plants, thereby helping to inhibit climate change.
Biofuel is building a strong, positive story for the energy sector. With the right laws in place, and major innovations and R&D activities occurring, we can rest assured that the future of the energy sector will be a clean and eco-friendly one.
