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"You can place it in refineries throughout North America. Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. The Pros of Biofuels Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1552355771656v0/, Rosen, C.J. They are perennial. 2. Disadvantages of Biofuels Production of biofuels can be quite inefficient Large amounts of raw materials have to be used Significant greenhouse gas emissions in the production chain Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides High initial investments required Increase in global food prices Global hunger and starvation High water demand The development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. Biofuels can be extracted from the waste of those crops as well. It contributes to deforestation 4. 6. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuel. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The problem is even worse for pure vegetable oil, used as fuel in so-called "greasecars." University of California, Berkeley. . Biofuel production using food crops such as corn, soybeans and sorghum has the potential to alter drastically the world's access to affordable food. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. March 2005. At the same time, biofuels generally have a lower energy density per unit of mass than fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. Adverse consequences can occur when chemicals are in the water supply. References: Ann, Ngee. Gasoline is refined from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. By that time, the corn had been on the market for a season. 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. Web. Not every country has vast crude oil resources. This allows the engine to run for longer periods with less maintenance and reduces overall pollution check costs. Required fields are marked *. The clearing of land can also result in the sudden release of a large amount of carbon dioxide as the plant matter that it contains is burned or allowed to decay. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. University of Minnesota. Moisture is more likely to be absorbed by biofuels than fossil diesel, which causes problems in cold weather. A study in 2005 showed that using available farming and production technologies, from 27 to 118 percent more energy is needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy existing in it. It can be used in pure form (B100) or can be blended with petro-diesel in the form of B2 (2% biodiesel, 98% petroleum diesel), B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% . Given the expense of converting this mix of dirt and heavy oils to more usable petroleum products, the province is not keen on alternative fuels. Technologies that allow to completely disrupt biomass, make it more homogeneous and reduce their retention time, are therefore necessary to ensure their effective loading and their complete digestion in the plant and help to reduce some disadvantages of biogas . 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. Deforestation. Alexander, C. et al. But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. Easier availability of biomass, its low cost, and cheaper technologies involved mean producing bioenergy is cheaper when compared to most energy sources, especially fossil fuels. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? Diverting that waste to anaerobic digestion would turn a cost into an opportunity, generating revenue from energy production and co-products. "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. These factors are mainly taken into account under the section of disadvantages and will help you understand the complexity of the situation when it comes to finding new energy sources that would replace fossil fuels entirely. The main disadvantage to using corn crops for biofuel production is the effect it would have on food crops and prices around the world. Advanced gasification works by thermochemically transforming waste feedstocks using temperatures in excess of 700 and a highly controlled supply of oxygen or steam without using combustion. With aims such as reducing the costs of biofuel, it enables high-value products from biomass or waste resources, as well as the reduction in the cost of bioenergy production. Disadvantage of Biofuels Energy output Indirect Carbon Emissions Much Higher Initial Cost Food Prices May Strain Water Resources Destruction of Cultivable Land Conclusion on Biofuel Pros and Cons Related Resources Biofuel Pros and Cons Analysis: How Does It Work? Long-time monoculture farms have to use much more artificial fertilizer than their more sustainable peers, increasing water pollution. The major disadvantage to using algae to produce biofuels is the cost, which in part is due to the fact that the practice of using algae to produce biofuels is relatively new and requires additional research and development to find less costly production methods. For example, Range Fuels in Georgia similarly attempted to gasify waste from the pulp and paper industry and transform it into ethanol directly but foundered in perfecting its catalysts. Farmers of corn, cotton, and soybeans, all possible sources of biofuel, are increasingly planting genetically modified types of those plants. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. But since many popular biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, are also popular food sources for much of the world, it stands to reason that the problems related to monoculture could get much worse as consumers demand more biofuel. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. These materials include plant matter such as corn, soybeans, and sugarcane, as well as animal fats and agricultural waste. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. 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. This is not the selective breeding they have followed for years; genetically modified crops are developed in the laboratory to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests, and higher yields. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. New York City spends roughly $400 million each year to transport 14 million tons of waste to incinerators and landfills. 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. It isn't as effective a fuel as traditional gasoline. Biofuels are compatible with current engine designs and work very well in most conditions. 1. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. After all, a better harvest would reduce prices and ensure there's enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and fuel the world, right? But is this energy source such a positive news as it seems at the first glance? 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). "10 Disadvantages of Biofuels" Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. And the singular nature of a monoculture crop increases the risk of a total loss for the farmer; imagine the damage if a severe strain of corn blight hit an ethanol-producing corn farm [source: Altieri]. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. The production and use of biofuels generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Biofuel is commonly advocated as a cost-effective and environmentally benign alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels, particularly within the context of rising petroleum prices and increased concern over the contributions made by fossil fuels to global warming. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . Unfortunately, that image is also a sign of monoculture, an agricultural problem that could conceivably get much worse due to biofuels. In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. Liquid biofuels are of particular interest because of the vast infrastructure already in place to use them, especially for transportation. Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel producing lower emissions as compared to fossil fuels when burnt. Cellulosic biomas obtained from non-food sources, including trees and grasses, is also being developed as a raw material for ethanol production. The second generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulosic, woody biomass, or agricultural waste. This necessarily destroys animal dwellings, microcosms (micro ecosystems), and reduces the overall health of a region's natural resources. Union of Concerned Scientists. Horgan. April 14, 2009. Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. Being forced to import oil creates problems for their economy. 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. This means large scale production to supply for a large population is still not possible. The conversion from one fuel to the other, in some cases, requires a range of new injectors, gaskets and fuel lines. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. Economic and environmental considerations, https://www.britannica.com/technology/biofuel, United States Environmental Protection Agency - Economics of Biofuels, biofuel - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). If you live in Zone 5, for example, you will likely have trouble growing a plant that requires the long growing season and high heat of Zone 10 [source: Burpee]. So, extensive production of biofuel is a negative-sum game. A number of factors play into any fuel's cost, both in economic and environmental terms, and biofuel doesn't always come out as the most sustainable option. In fact, the 468 million metric tons of trash produced in North America each year could provide 47 billion liters of ethanolor roughly the same amount as produced from corn, which presently supplies 10 percent of U.S. gasoline demand. China's Xi Outshines Trump as the World's Future Energy Leader, Fact or Fiction? There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. 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. 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. And alcohol fuels (including ethanol) can corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings used in gasoline-powered engines. 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. 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. List of the Disadvantages of Ethanol. Many biofuel crops are used to make biodiesel. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. Future Price Growth 8. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. We are working hard to improve our content. 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. In any case, the regeneration of biofuels is also not fast enough to be considered a renewable energy source. A number of existing power facilities burn grass, wood, or other kinds of biomass. When fossil fuels burn, they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. But biofuels aren't completely cost-free. They cover the soil year-round, and support biodiversity of small soil fauna and mammals by providing nutrients. Environment. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. After all, a better harvest will lower prices and ensure there is enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and provide the fuel to the world. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. Many critics express concerns about the scope of the expansion of certain biofuels because of the economic and environmental costs associated with the refining process and the potential removal of vast areas of arable land from food production. If more people turn to biofuels, a country can diminish its dependence on fossil fuels. "It's a pittance being spent on reducing our dependence on oil than putting our boys in harm's way overseas," says Coskata's Wesley Bolsen, chief marketing officer and vice president for government affairs. And once the chemicals are in the water supply, bad things can happen. April 2009. The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. When done right and well-regulated, the production of biofuels has potential to actually support local biodiversity by promoting the growth of crops that are providing support to soils and leave soils less prone to erosion. Biomass is plant or animal material like wood, energy crops, and waste from forests, farms, or yards utilized as fuel to generate electricity or heat. A major concern people face is that the growing use of biofuels may also mean a growth in food prices. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ethanol - Ethanol is a volatile, colorless and flammable alcohol obtained from corn or cellulosic materials, and is used as an alternative fuel to gasoline and diesel. Let's start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. The reliability of biofuels as an energy source depends on a variety of factors, such as the feedstocks used, the production methods employed, and the end-use of the biofuels. Biogas reduces Soil and water pollution. 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. That's why Waste Management, Inc., has invested in a slew of such waste-to-energy companies, including Enerkem. Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. Biodiesel doesn't fare much better. Studies show that the machinery needed to cultivate the crops emits large carbon emissions. Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. Carbon monoxide emissions are lower than that . The water demands of some biofuel crops can put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not handled carefully. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Here at Linquip you can send inquiries to all Renewable Energy suppliers and receive quotations for free, Your email address will not be published. 2015-2023 Greentumble. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. As an alternative source of energy obtained from renewable and biological material, these fuels can be produced using waste materials. After the incineration process is complete, the total mass of the remaining garbage can be reduced by up to 85 percent, while its volume may shrink by as much as 95 percent [5].. Home > Renewable Energy > Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. With the removal of impurities from biogas, biomethane is produced. This can be achieved through the use of waste materials and non-food crops for biofuel production, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices such as minimal tillage and the use of cover crops. Import Tuner. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Phosphorus has been implicated as a trigger of localized algae blooms: The tiny aquatic plants feed off it and rapidly reproduce, often killing other plants and aquatic animals by reducing the amount of oxygen in water or by releasing toxic chemicals. High Cost of Production Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. "Preventing Pollution Problems from Lawn and Garden Fertilizers." However, most of the time, the word biomass simply signifies the biological raw material from which the fuel is made, or some kind of thermally-chemically changed solid end product, like torrefied pellets or briquettes. Thanks for reading Scientific American. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Follow David Biello on Twitter. Other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be more water-efficient and need less water for irrigation. Researchers are exploring techniques to genetically engineer less thirsty crops. Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. In order for biofuels to become widely used, researchers are working on developing biofuels that are more similar in properties to fossil fuels. Land Use Modifications 9. If biofuels are obtained from sustainable farming of reclaimed lands, their production may be much less polluting in terms of not degrading land or freshwater resources compared to fossil fuels. A 2009 study suggests that, in the rush to produce enough corn-based ethanol to meet federal alternative energy requirements, biofuel demand is already putting stress on fresh water supplies in the Great Plains and central Southwest [source: McKenna]. What is biomass? And trash-based biofuels need not compete on cost with fuels, as long as they offer a lower cost than their other competitorlandfills. Similarly, nutrients that are returned to the soil through crop rotation and allow fields to lay fallow disappear under extreme monocultural farming. 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]. Aug. 11, 2006. . We are going to describe these advantages in this section. 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. 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. Disadvantages of Biofuels. 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. Land use for biofuels may not cause a severe shortage of food; however, it will put pressure on the current increase of crops. Other companies, such as Wheelabrator, simply fortify the gas and burn it directly to produce electricityalthough that can result in the emissions of toxic chemicals, such as dioxinsor employ additional complex chemical steps. 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. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. Similarly, BlueFire Ethanol turns waste into ethanol by using sulfuric acid to release the cellulose in the trash and then adds enzymes and microbes to ferment it into fuel. 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. Relying on produce from halfway around the globe to feed a hungry nation is a risky price to pay for widespread biofuel integration into the world's energy supplies. The heat, in turn, can be used to run generators in a power plant to produce electricity. Growing demand for food-biofuel crops may have a positive result for crop producers due to higher prices for their products. The biofuels advantages and disadvantages depend entirely on their nature and how they are accessed. "Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare." Biofuels are often produced from crops such as corn, sugarcane, and palm oil, which can be grown on a large scale. These landfills not only spread foul smell but also contaminate underground water sources. By using biofuels as an alternative energy source, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which can help to reduce our impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable energy system that is more locally based. Fueling homes, businesses, and vehicles with biofuels are less expensive compared to fossil fuels. November 2007. Biodiesel is not much better. Will alternative fuels deplete global corn supplies? Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. And. 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. With the growth of the biofuel industry, more jobs will be created, which will help keep the economy secure. Biofuel crops are no different from petunias or peppers in this regard. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/index.php, Journey to Forever. 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. What does it mean? The simple supply-and-demand economics of biofuels -- increase demand for corn, for example, and corn becomes more expensive -- can pose a threat to some regions' food security, or the access to affordable nutritious food for the region's population [source: Naylor]. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. This may sound contradictory to the advantages of biofuels mentioned earlier in this article.

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