The development of Biofuels

Résumé du document

Most of the energy we consume comes from fossil fuels such as oil, gas, coal and uranium. Yet, these sources of energy present several problems. They are non renewable and their demand keeps growing on a daily basis. Besides, the fields, mainly located in specific geographic areas can generate some conflicts such as for prices and secure carriage. Moreover they have produced several environment crises and catastrophes, such as a massive greenhouse gas effect, oil slicks and so on, leading officials and specialists to further develop biofuels. Biofuels are derived from biological sources and qualities similar to oil. As a renewable source of energy, the use of biofuels has become increasingly important in the last few years in particular for transport, a sector where they can displace a substantial amount of oil around the world. How and when did they appear? In what cases can we use biofuels at a satisfactory and efficient level? While biofuels were initially a single option for exclusive specialists and few environmentalists, within a few years they reached the position of potential alternative to fossil fuels arousing a growing interest worldwide.

Extraits

[...] Yet, they could turn out to be a solution for some specific developing countries such as Brazil, Madagascar or African countries where agriculture is the source of livelihood for over 80% of the population. Biofuels are derived from biological sources such as cereals, grains, sugar crops and so on and can easily be fermented to produce ethanol. The latter can be used pure or as a blending component named ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether). They can also be produced from cellulose materials including grasses, trees and waste products. Wood processing facilities and some solid waste can also be converted into alcohols but it happens to be a complex process. [...]

[...] But the results arouse contrasted points of view. On the one hand, there is no waste of corn, its proteins are given to the cattle and the rest is converted into ethanol but on the other hand, growing corn needs a lot of water. So much that the balance is almost negative and makes some economists and sociologist say that the development of ethanol in the US is mostly a way to subsidize agriculture. After the concluding experiments with biofuels, their use as renewable energy is more and more requested. [...]

[...] That's why biofuels are presented as a means to go ahead. Unfortunately, international trade in “green fuels” faces strong barriers from developed countries due to the dependence on local producers, environmental reasons not fully justified or restrictive regulations and due to R&D support directed to “clean fossil fuels”. The European Union's position In the European Union, one quarter of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by transports. It seems therefore essential to find a way to reduce them. In order to do so, biofuels appeared like a solution. [...]

[...] Oil crises and the environment issue through the sustainable development tackle the question of the cost and benefits biofuels can provide. Thanks to the analysis of agricultural productivity, of modern technologies, of the type of raw materials and of the demand in the transports sector, the cost and the potential benefits have been calculated and can be summed up as follows: In a general way, the price of the ethanol produced in the United States, in America (mainly USA, Canada and Brazil) seems more competitive than the European one independently from the cost of an oil barrel. [...]

[...] In the 1970s and early 1980s a substantial increase in biofuels production and use in many countries resulted from high oil prices. But during the next decade, oil products superseded them. The recent oil crisis has once again highlighted the potential for biofuels to contribute to transport fuel demand -particularly in countries that import fossil fuel in bulk-. Global concerns about the effects of fossil fuel use on the environment also encourage the researches and development of “green fuels”. The main benefits to be expected from biofuels are the reduction in overall carbon dioxide emission due to their less polluting characteristics. [...]