A few years ago, biofuels were considered the solution to global warming. Now some say they are not the solution, but part of the problem.
In this article we present the main advantages and disadvantages of the widespread use of biofuels.
Today’s economies and lifestyles depend on oil and gas, which are expensive and depletable resources.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of biofuel?
Biofuel is a liquid or gaseous fuel, produced from biomass.
There are a range of liquid biofuels that can be used, all of which come from “energy crops,” the most common of which are: Biodiesel and BioethanolThe first is obtained from organic oils and the second is produced from the fermentation of carbohydrates (sugar, starch, cellulose).
Gaseous biofuel is generated from agricultural/industrial and urban wastewater (sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants) as well as from landfills. It consists of a mixture of gases, methane being the dominant gas, and this mixture is called Biogas.
Learn more about biofuels.
What is biofuel?
Operating system Biofuel They are produced from energy plants, such as corn, grains, sugar beets and oilseed plants.
The most commonly used are: Biodieselmade from soybeans or rapeseed, and bioethanol, made from corn or beetroot, and pure vegetable oils. Biofuels are mainly used in the transportation sector, and can be used pure in engines equipped for this purpose, or mixed with diesel or gasoline.
Advantages of biofuel
In addition to reducing dependence on fossil fuels for energy, Biofuel They are produced from plants that absorb carbon dioxide and allow the production of fuels that do not emit greenhouse gases, which are the main causes of global warming.
This feature has two Biofuel In March 2007, the EU Member States meeting in the Council adopted a binding target to use at least 10% biofuels in fuel used in the transport sector by 2020.
Disadvantages Biofuel
Despite the advantages highlighted, the use of biofuels is a controversial topic. First, because biofuel production is energy intensive and relies on intensive cropping, which produces the greenhouse gas, nitrogen oxide, which also has implications for global warming.
Moreover, many of the lands used to grow plants were previously areas with high carbon absorption capacity, such as tropical forests. To get an idea of ​​the extent and impact of the harmful effects of biofuels, just look at deforestation in Central America and Asia.
Other disadvantages mentioned relate to pollution from intensive crop cultivation, high water consumption, and loss of biodiversity and food habitats.
There are also concerns that the use of crops to produce biofuels will cause shortages and a consequent increase in agricultural food prices.
