New uses
Overview of Green Fuels
08/06/2010
© TOTAL / WOOD Mackenzie © Idé
Global energy needs are constantly growing while fossil energy resources are dwindling. At the same time, the fight against global warming is becoming more urgent. Biofuel development has a number of aims: to provide more energy independence by limiting petroleum products imports; to help reduce greenhouse gases in the transport sector; and to provide new outlets for agriculture.
All over the world, biofuels are being added to gasoline and diesel sold at the pump and demand is rising every year. However, biofuels are currently sourced from a small number of agricultural products, and this resource is finite. Furthermore, since these products come from the edible part of the plant, the risk of competition with the food sector needs to be avoided.
This is why scientists are experimenting with new approaches to develop second-generation biofuels, in particular drawing on a wider variety of resources and using new biomass processes.
These new biofuels will complement what is currently on the market and help to meet the ambitious targets set by the European Union, which involve increasing the share of renewable energy used in transportation to 10% by 2020. The current first generation of biofuels are key to reaching this target.
Biofuels- a How-To Guide
Bioethanol and biodiesel are part and parcel of daily life for Europeans. They are produced using techniques that have been carefully developed and comprehensively tested.
Green Driving- the Rise of Biofuels and Their Advantages
The rise of biofuels is due to a number of factors, including over-dependence on energy and environmental concerns.
New Biofuels Show Promise
Research advances are striving to develop new biofuels from a wider variety of resources and find new ways to process biomass.
Developing Biofuels- Obstacles to Overcome and Tailor-Made Solutions
Biofuels have a major part to play in tackling such important issues as raw material availability, reducing production costs, sustainable development, and meeting European targets.
