Biofuels each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. 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% . First, a brief introduction to biofuels is essential. There is a variety of applications, including electricity generation, and heating. Had it been the season's popular strain of corn, there could have been an ecological disaster as monarchs migrated through the corn-heavy American Midwest [source: Mellon and Rissler]. Renewability Is an Advantage It takes a very long time for fossil fuels to be produced. Industrial Pollution 6. 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. Researchers are exploring techniques to genetically engineer less thirsty crops. For example, the process of growing corn to produce ethanol consumes fossil fuels in farming equipment, in fertilizer manufacturing, in corn transportation, and in ethanol distillation. 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. 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. The generation of biofuels, a priori, represents several advantages over obtaining fossil fuels used to get fossil energy.The main advantage is that the regeneration of resources does not take millions of years as it happens with coal, oil, or natural gas.. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Biodiesel is not much better. If farmers are incentivized to plant crops that are not well suited for the location, they may end up needing more water than any other crops would. 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. 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. Under this vision, biofuel crops would remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, and energy facilities would capture the carbon dioxide given off as biofuels are burned to generate power. 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. Feeding aquatic organisms from such contaminated water can lead to their death, as the oxygen in these waters is reduced and toxins are introduced into it. 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. Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel producing lower emissions as compared to fossil fuels when burnt. One obvious consideration is the gel, or clouding, point: A fuel that turns solid well above water's freezing point would not be very useful in a cold location. 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. Advantages & Disadvantages of Ethanol Biofuel - Physics The pure form (B100) can be employed as a fuel for vehicles but is commonly used as a diesel additive to reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in diesel vehicles. 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. 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. Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. Biodiesel doesn't fare much better. The burning of biofuels generates fewer air pollutants than the burning of fossil fuels, which can improve air quality and public health. The following figure shows the biodiesel cycle schematically. Biodiesel produces less toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases than petroleum diesel. What is Distributed Generation? In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. 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]. Pure ethanol and biodiesel are nontoxic and biodegradable, and if spilled, they break down into harmless substances. This is a serious contra argument to consider especially with climate change already shifting our ability to grow crops in certain areas. To meet the increasing demand for biofuels, farmers may convert natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands, into croplands. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. The legislation also requires, with certain stipulations, that 79 billion litres (21 billion gallons) of the total amount be biofuels other than corn-derived ethanol, and it continued certain government subsidies and tax incentives for biofuel production. The problem is worse for pure vegetable oil as a fuel in so-called grease cars. The use of biofuels can therefore help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy system. 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. Many of the studies show that the machinery used to cultivate crops emits large quantities of carbon emissions. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. The second generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulosic, woody biomass, or agricultural waste. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Advantages of Biofuels. 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. Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy - Inspire Clean Energy It seemed like a win-win idea: European demand for biofuel was set to spike, driven in part by regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. They produce industrial pollution. Also, It increases microbial growth in the engine, making the engine filters clogged. Advantages of Biofuels - Biofuel Information Biofuels have some advantages over their counterparts. So, extensive production of biofuel is a negative-sum game. 2010. . New York City spends roughly $400 million each year to transport 14 million tons of waste to incinerators and landfills. Most fossil fuels will expire one day. However, this is not the only reason to encourage the use of biofuels. China's Xi Outshines Trump as the World's Future Energy Leader, Fact or Fiction? Enerkem takes the "fluff" of municipal solid wastethe plastics, textiles and wood that isn't recycled or the leftovers of agriculture or forestrygasifies it and, using catalysts and water, transforms the gas via multiple chemical steps into ethanol or other products. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html, Naylor, Rosamond L. et al. PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. The transition to biofuels will affect especially economic sectors of agriculture, manufacture, reprocessing, recycling, and transportation. Biomass and biofuels have been used to generate energy since ancient times. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. Your IP: 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. The production of biofuels can in some cases compete with food production in several ways. Home > Renewable Energy > Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. Utilizing our garbage may help keep flora and fauna healthy, resulting in a healthier ecosystem. 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 July 30, 2000. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. 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. Biodiesel, which has found greatest acceptance in Europe, is used in diesel engines and usually blended with petroleum diesel fuel in various percentages. March 2005. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. April 2009. This means they require more space to store the same amount of energy than fossil fuels. Various Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. 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. 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. This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. 22 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels - Environment Go! "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." 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]. First, there is the issue of output. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . The New York Times. Hundreds -- even thousands -- of unbroken acres of one crop offer an irresistible target for plant pests; pest populations can explode beyond control in such a tempting environment. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, as farmers may shift from growing food crops to biofuel crops in order to take advantage of government incentives or higher prices for biofuel crops. Biofuels are an energy source obtained from organic material (animal waste, plants, etc. However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. A way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases is to use biofuels around the world. Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. 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. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. During their combustion in furnaces and boilers, they produce heat just like fossil fuels do. September 2007. Another way in which biofuel production can compete with food production is through the use of food crops, such as corn, as feedstocks for biofuels rather than spending resources on processing corn for human consumption. Biofuels are made from a wide range of materials. Biogas and syngas are two types of gaseous biofuels. And trash-based biofuels need not compete on cost with fuels, as long as they offer a lower cost than their other competitorlandfills. A 2005 study suggested that, using current farming and production technology, it takes anywhere from 27 to 118 percent more energy to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy it contains [source: Pimentel]. This means that when garbage rots in landfills, that stinky gas can be used for energy! An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas are not efficient. "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. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use.