Coskata, Inc., has had a large demonstration plant that uses microbes to turn gasified waste into ethanol since 2009, and argues that it should remain the "major renewable liquid fuel" due to the ease with which biomass (or waste) can be transformed into italthough subsidies are required to develop the technology. Biofuels also supply environmental benefits but, depending on how they are manufactured, can also have serious environmental drawbacks. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." Let's start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. While both of these additives cause rapid and pleasing growth in many crops, they have drawbacks. Loss of natural habitat can change the hydrology, increase erosion, and generally reduce biodiversity of wildlife areas. When biofuels are burned, they produce significantly less carbon output and fewer toxins than carbon fuels. . Technical Challenges Perhaps the simplest drawback of biofuels is that it is not petroleum-based fuel so that they will work differently in engines developed for petroleum-based fuel. In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. 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]. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. Segregating organic waste from the garbage to generate Biogas considerably reduces wastes from landfills. Biodiesel doesn't fare much better. Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. Compatibility refers to the ability of a fuel to be used in existing infrastructure and equipment without modification or damage. Let's look at some of the drawbacks of biofuels and gain a new perspective on the fuels we may see more of in the future. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. 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. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. 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. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. 2009. Future Price Growth 8. This means they require more space to store the same amount of energy than fossil fuels. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. In the United States ethanol biofuel is made primarily from corn (maize) grain, and it is typically blended with gasoline to produce gasohol, a fuel that is 10 percent ethanol. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. What are the disadvantages of biofuels? Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. Additionally, using crops for biofuels can also lead to a decrease in the availability of food, as well as an increase in the cost of food. Fueling homes, businesses, and vehicles with biofuels are less expensive compared to fossil fuels. The burning of biofuels generates fewer air pollutants than the burning of fossil fuels, which can improve air quality and public health. For example, the density of corn-based ethanol is higher than gasoline; fuel injectors must be larger in an ethanol-only engine to suit the fuel flow of a comparable gasoline engine. The biomass pretreatment is one of the keys to the best use of organic waste and thus enhance the production of a biogas plant. Ethanol-production facilities use far more electricity to run than they produce in fuel. Many common crops could economically produce biofuel in certain parts of the world. For example, bioethanol and biodiesel have a higher tendency to absorb moisture than fossil fuels, which can cause corrosion in fuel systems and engines. Incredibly safe. This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. The widespread use of biofuels in daily operations requires different storage and handling equipment, engine modifications, and adapted fuel delivery systems. What is Distributed Generation? In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . Companies such as Ineos Bio are turning trash into other chemicals such as plastics. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. Purdue Extension. Nitrogen in drinking water can lead to a host of health problems, including methemoglobinemia, a condition that prevents infants from utilizing the oxygen in their blood [source: Rosen and Horgan]. Biodiesel is less efficient than gasoline Biomass: Should we focus on more eco-friendly renewable energy? Biofuels emit less of these "greenhouse gases" and so presumably contribute less to global warming. 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]. Quick Navigation for Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels, [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK196452/. Also, these crops can be planted again. 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. University of Minnesota. 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. It causes air pollution 3. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. The advantages and disadvantages of HYV seeds are shown in the table below: Biofuels Biofuels are any kind of fuel manufactured from living things or from waste. But there is another problem that appears with this selection. . Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy Biomass Energy . Here at Linquip you can send inquiries to all Renewable Energy suppliers and receive quotations for free, Your email address will not be published. Biofuel and fertiliser can be made from putrefying gasses emitted by rotting food, in specialist containers called anaeorbic digestors. A Lack of Food 5. 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. Omissions? 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. 167.99.130.146 Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. 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. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. Biofuel production boosts the demand for suitable biofuel products and strengthens the agriculture industry. Knowledge awaits. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determines bioenergy as a renewable energy form. Thankfully, it didn't sell well, so few fields were planted with it. "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. That directly translates into more expensive bacon and ham at the grocery store [source: Carey]. But factor in a number of other complicating aspects, and biofuel often carries a heavy price. Researchers are exploring techniques to genetically engineer less thirsty crops. November 2007. Lets start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. Consumers living in a low-producing region need to have biofuel by moving through pipes or trucks to them. . There is also no need to convert the engine. Excessive use or improper application can leave surplus fertilizer in the soil, which is then washed through regional watersheds and transferred into rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers. Drivers of vehicles who use these fuels usually have to install heating units to protect the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel or dual-fuel mechanisms flushing the engine with petroleum diesel during start-up and shut-down. This means large scale production to supply for a large population is still not possible. An important consideration is the gel point; a fuel that becomes solid above the freezing point of water is not very useful in a cold location. Another challenge is the limited energy density of biofuels. Union of Concerned Scientists. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. 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. But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. We are going to describe these advantages in this section. Monoculture isn't a problem confined to biofuel production; it's an issue that had been studied for years in relation to large-scale food crop production. 2010. Disadvantages 1. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. Examples include ancient people burning wood and branches to generate fire. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . But while different crops can become biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can vary greatly in its ability to produce power. The production of biofuels can be more expensive than the production of fossil fuels due to the costs of growing and processing the feedstocks. In the United States the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the use of 136 billion litres (36 billion gallons) of biofuels annually by 2022, more than a sixfold increase over 2006 production levels. and B.P. 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. Ethanol also absorbs water easily giving it a high tendency to corrode materials. The problem is worse for pure vegetable oil as a fuel in so-called grease cars. Some scientists argue that producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel needs energy equal to several gallons value of petroleum fuel. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22428/page1/, Mellon, Margaret and Jane Rissler. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. But it is even more economical solution in terms of paying a cost set by international political agreements. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. To meet the increasing demand for biofuels, farmers may convert natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands, into croplands. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Utilization of Fertilizers 4. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Utilizing our garbage may help keep flora and fauna healthy, resulting in a healthier ecosystem. But if the tractors that tend the field burn 75 gallons of fuel in the season, the truck to transport the corn to a processor burns 20 gallons on the trip, and the processor uses the energy of 40 gallons of fuel to run its distillation equipment, is the ethanol produced really an environmentally friendly, low-emission fuel? These emissions include carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels during the production process and nitrous oxide from soil that has been treated with nitrogen fertilizer. For example, the production of biofuels can create jobs and stimulate economic development, but it can also lead to higher food prices and competition with other industries for resources. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. Additionally, the grass mix actually helps to offset carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 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. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham Biofuel typically involves contemporary carbon fixation, such as happens in plants or microalgae during photosynthesis. This is a problem that biofuel crops, food crops, gardens, and lawns have in common all over the world. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. The garbage to biofuel process is not only an alternative way to produce home . As a result, converting plant biomass to ethanol requires processing much larger amounts of feed stock to produce the same amount of biofuel than conventional biofuels. Disadvantages No fuel is perfect, and there are some biofuel disadvantages - especially if plants are grown specifically. "The Ripple Effect: Biofuels, Food Security and the Environment." Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. Biomass energy production takes a lot of space, money, and effort 6. Although the creation of biofuels produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is often used to grow the plants that are converted into fuel. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. Biodiesel, as the most common biofuel in Europe, is generated from oils or fats using transesterification. Monoculture refers to the practice of growing one heavily concentrated crop, rather than the rotation of various crops through a farmer's fields over time. They are perennial. It may produce 100 gallons of the fuel out of one season's crop. In the long term, this may lead to a decrease in food availability, nutritional quality of available foods, diversity of food crops, and possibly endanger food security. The production and use of biofuels generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Which brings us to the second advantage. According to studies, the levels of carbon dioxide emissions and particulate matter are reduced with biofuels, however, the nitrogen oxides are slightly higher than at fossil fuels [1]. With the growth of the biofuel industry, more jobs will be created, which will help keep the economy secure. Some crops will grow better in certain areas and may not grow at all in other regions. Jan. 31, 2007. The pure form of ethanol (E100) can be used as a fuel for vehicles, but it is usually applied as an additive to gasoline to increase octane and enhance vehicle emissions. 2. Disadvantages of Biofuels One disadvantage of biofuels is that not all biofuels can be created equally. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. A way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases is to use biofuels around the world. Additionally, they have a higher viscosity than fossil fuels, which can eventually lead to clogging or damage of fuel filters, injectors, and pumps.