One way to counter this lies in simple diplomacy: The globalization of world commerce means that it's now easier than ever to move food supplies from one part of the world to another in response to increased demand. July 30, 2000. 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. In general, biofuels are more expensive to produce than fossil fuels on a per-unit energy basis. Potential drawbacks include changes to land use patterns that may increase GHG emissions, pressure on water resources, air and water pollution, and increased food costs. Because most sources such as manure, corn, soybeans, switchgrass, waste from crops and plants are renewable and do not run out any time soon, the use of biofuels in nature is efficient. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham While both of these additives promote rapid and hearty growth in many crops, they have a downside. 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. 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. It may produce 100 gallons of the fuel out of one season's crop. Incredibly safe. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. Web. The cost of biofuel production can vary depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the specific technologies used. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/index.php, Journey to Forever. Although this is an economically attractive measure, the greater economic profitability for the farmer can make serious environmental disadvantages. Segregating organic waste from the garbage to generate Biogas considerably reduces wastes from landfills. Studies show that biofuels decrease greenhouse gases by up to 65 percent. Furthermore, biofuels can also be more expensive to produce than fossil fuels, which can make them less competitive in the market and discourage investment in the biofuel industry. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determines bioenergy as a renewable energy form. Biofuel typically involves contemporary carbon fixation, such as happens in plants or microalgae during photosynthesis. Except providing new livelihood opportunities for local families, they could also represent a sustainable and innovative option that will contribute to rural development. 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. Let us know if you liked this article. Looking for Renewable Energy Device & Equipment Prices? In 2013 Enerkem plans to open a plant there, too, with the help of $130 million in taxpayer funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy. ", David Biello is a contributing editor at Scientific American. Biofuel Biomass is the only renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Other biofuels include methane gas and biogaswhich can be derived from the decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygenand methanol, butanol, and dimethyl etherwhich are in development. First, there is the issue of output. It may cause food scarcity because of the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for Biofuel production 3. With aims such as reducing the costs of biofuel, it enables high-value products from biomass or waste resources, as well as the reduction in the cost of bioenergy production. Biofuels have emerged as an alternative to fossil fuels in recent years due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable energy. (A Comprehensive Guide), Top 10 Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in the US in 2023, What are the Negative Aspects of Renewable Energy? 2007. Their main perk is that they are produced from organic materials which replenish seasonally. Omissions? Biofuels could be a sustainable energy source over the long term if they are produced and used in a responsible and well-planned manner when all the pros and cons of biofuels versus fossil fuels are considered. Researchers are investigating ways to genetically engineer less thirsty crops, and carefully planning what biofuel crops to plant in a given region can mitigate this problem [source: Lau]. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.afpc.tamu.edu/pubs/2/446/RR%2006-2.pdf, McKenna, Phil. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. Jan. 31, 2007. The major disadvantage to using algae to produce biofuels is the cost, which in part is due to the fact that the practice of using algae to produce biofuels is relatively new and requires additional research and development to find less costly production methods. 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. (Nov. 16, 2010)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31biofuel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1290625375-G4EOxMpw99oBdvPcW6DvCw, Tsuneishi, Scott. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. 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. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Corn ethanol, for example, takes a great deal more energy to create than it creates itself when burned. The ragged stripes stretching from east to west are growing zones: regions where water supply, temperature and sunlight make hospitable climates for certain types of plants. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. 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. 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. Pure ethanol is difficult to vaporize meaning starting a car in cold weather could be more difficult that a car that runs on petrol. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. Many critics express concerns about the scope of the expansion of certain biofuels because of the economic and environmental costs associated with the refining process and the potential removal of vast areas of arable land from food production. The use of regular feedstock, such as corn and soybeans, as a primary component of first-generation biofuels sparked the food versus fuel debate. When fossil fuels burn, they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. Disadvantages 1. True, a plant-based fuel comes from a renewable source, while fossil fuels will eventually run out. Growing demand for food-biofuel crops may have a positive result for crop producers due to higher prices for their products. But the conversions add time and money to the biofuel equation, something that can be off-putting for potential biofuel users. High Cost of Production Though there are many reasons to want to use biofuels, they do have a very high cost of production and are too expensive to produce, especially considering current market conditions. The oil in their seeds is pressed out, filtered and converted to fuel using a chemical process. 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. Although the creation of biofuels produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is often used to grow the plants that are converted into fuel. These factors are mainly taken into account under the section of disadvantages and will help you understand the complexity of the situation when it comes to finding new energy sources that would replace fossil fuels entirely. Biofuel is the fuel created through contemporary processes from biomass instead of the very gradual geological processes associated with the formation of fossil fuels, such as natural gas or oil. Soil, groundwater and air pollution. 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]. However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. A study in 2005 showed that using available farming and production technologies, from 27 to 118 percent more energy is needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy existing in it. Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. Plantation owners prepared their operations to meet the demand . Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. Deforestation. During initial tests of a modified strain of corn, researchers discovered that the crop, which had been engineered to fight off a moth known to prey on corn, produced pollen that could possibly kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense, Edmonton is Canada's chief oil city as well as the capital of Alberta, the province that hosts the bulk of the country's tar sands. Lower carbon emissions make them a safer alternative to preserve atmospheric quality and lower air pollution. One way is through direct competition for land, water, and other resources. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Increases Pollution in contrast to wind and solar 10. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. "Bioethanol." : Advantages & Disadvantages of. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy Biomass Energy . Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. Corrections? Typically, garbage collection has certain disadvantages: Garbage collection consumes computing resources in deciding what memory is to be freed, reconstructing facts that may have been known to the programmer. Gasoline is refined from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The Pros of Biofuels They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. This way biofuels also decrease our dependence on foreign oil, which helps to reduce our trade deficit and improve energy security on a country level. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. Also, these crops can be planted again. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. "Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare." (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-346-W.pdf, Altieri, Miguel A. Advantages of incineration. The biofuels advantages and disadvantages depend entirely on their nature and how they are accessed. The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. Environment. 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. Ignorance Conclusion This is a problem that biofuel crops, food crops, gardens, and lawns have in common all over the world. 6. Ethanol-production facilities use far more electricity to run than they produce in fuel. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. It isn't as effective a fuel as traditional gasoline. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. The second generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulosic, woody biomass, or agricultural waste. November 2007. The New York Times. Biofuel production may decrease the pesticide pollution if done sustainably and right, especially if perennial polycultures are involved. Electro fuels are produced by storing electrical energy, and solar fuel is made from solar energy. Your IP: But those fertilizers can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment, and expanded biofuel production could mean a major pollution threat to sources of fresh water. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. 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. In order for biofuels to become widely used, researchers are working on developing biofuels that are more similar in properties to fossil fuels. 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. With international trends swinging toward sustainable transportation, fuels such as corn-based ethanol and biodiesel from soy, switchgrass and palm oil seem like a good step toward cleaner, greener highways. This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. This one relates to the little multicolored maps on the backs of seed packets. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. Adverse consequences can occur when chemicals are in the water supply. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." Partial combustion is a fuel-burning with insufficient oxygen to convert the biomass entirely to carbon dioxide and water. April 14, 2009. Technologies that allow to completely disrupt biomass, make it more homogeneous and reduce their retention time, are therefore necessary to ensure their effective loading and their complete digestion in the plant and help to reduce some disadvantages of biogas . (Dec. 11, 2010)http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg2923.html, Rosenthal, Elisabeth. 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. Some of these chemicals, which are mostly related to the combustion of non-biomass materials in garbage, can be hazardous to people and the environment if they are not properly controlled. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. Industry researchers had found an answer in palm oil, a relatively easy-to-produce biofuel source. 2. 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. Biofuel Disadvantage : Environmental Impact. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? There are a few potential negative effects of biofuels on the environment and economy that need to be considered when forming an opinion about their use in the future. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. Disadvantages of Biofuels Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages of biofuels that make the general population hesitant to use them. Additionally, the grass mix actually helps to offset carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils and animal fats. When they are used as fuel, they leave gummy residue in the engine. Perhaps the most straightforward of biofuel's drawbacks is the most obvious: It isn't petroleum-based fuel, so it will operate differently in engines designed for petroleum-based fuel. Horgan. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. "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. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests. 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]. If more people turn to biofuels, a country can diminish its dependence on fossil fuels. Biofuels are made from a wide range of materials. 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. "Nature has not given us that selectivity to shift syngas to ethanol," notes chemical engineer Chornet, who started Enerkem in 2000 to make fuel from forestry residues, inspired by his father on Spain's island of Majorca, who made electricity by burning wood waste from his sawmill in the 1930s. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. The conversion from one fuel to the other, in some cases, requires a range of new injectors, gaskets and fuel lines. To learn more about biofuels, click to the next page. While the advantages of biomass energy are plenty, there are also some shortcomings, including: 1. That has yet to be an energy source that comes without some drawback. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. When biofuels are burned, they produce significantly less carbon output and fewer toxins than carbon fuels. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. A pig farmer, for example, may have to pay a few extra dollars per bushel to buy corn to feed his livestock. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is more advantageous for farmers to decide in favor of biofuel crops over food crops, as they sell at higher prices and some monocrops may be easier to cultivate and harvest than diverse food crops. 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. Biofuels burn clean, emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases, and are entirely biodegradable. Biodiesel, that is produced from animal fats or vegetable oils, can be used as a replacement for diesel fuel in heavy-duty work vehicles like trucks or buses. Biofuel uses waste natural materials, and produces fewer emissions as a result. They are perennial. But factor in a number of other complicating aspects, and biofuel often carries a heavy price. 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. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22428/page1/, Mellon, Margaret and Jane Rissler. Uses land that could be used to grow food. Thanks for reading Scientific American. While this is an economically attractive practice, playing off economies of scale to make the crop more profitable for the farmer, it can have severe environmental drawbacks. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_0904_e85_vs_conventional_gasoline/index.html, United States Department of Agriculture. 167.99.130.146 The development of a biofuels industry has great potential to stimulate economic development in rural areas with less job possibilities by creating new markets for crops and other agricultural products. This is a serious contra argument to consider especially with climate change already shifting our ability to grow crops in certain areas. Utilization of Fertilizers 4. Biofuels can be extracted from the waste of those crops as well. Disadvantages of Biomass Energy This is an ethanol refinery. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. On the other end, if previously untouched natural ecosystem is transformed into a monoculture field than there is a high chance that pesticide pollution will appear and will affect the surrounding environment. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. A number of manufacturers sell components for biodiesel and greasecar conversions, and intrepid tinkerers often find ways to overcome the gelling problem. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. 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. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. 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. Other companies, such as Wheelabrator, simply fortify the gas and burn it directly to produce electricityalthough that can result in the emissions of toxic chemicals, such as dioxinsor employ additional complex chemical steps. These landfills not only spread foul smell but also contaminate underground water sources. This isn't the selective breeding that farmers have practiced for years; genetically modified crops are altered in the lab to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests or produce higher yields. Producers that focus on a single cash crop each year face an increased risk of pest development, water pollution, and catastrophic failure. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. Additionally, the amount of water used in biofuel production is also affected by the specific farming practices used. Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. The process is not always cost-effective: Yes, though it may pay cash to the contributors, the truth is this process needs a lot of money, time and land to set up a plant and run. The problem is even worse for pure vegetable oil, used as fuel in so-called "greasecars." First, there's the issue of yield. 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. Syngas is a mix of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and other hydrocarbons, which is produced by partial combustion of biomass. 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. Most of the waste generated worldwide is biodegradable. For example, if crops grown for biofuels are planted on land that could be used for growing food crops. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. Biofuels are definitely cheaper than fossil fuels. That directly translates into more expensive bacon and ham at the grocery store [source: Carey]. The carbon footprint that the use of biofuels leaves is quite substantial. All rights reserved. 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]. For example, emphasis on ethanol derived from corn is shifting grasslands and brushlands to corn monocultures, and emphasis on biodiesel is bringing down ancient tropical forests to make way for oil palm plantations. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. Biofuel is produced from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable than fossil diesel. Diverting that waste to anaerobic digestion would turn a cost into an opportunity, generating revenue from energy production and co-products. . Click to reveal Disadvantages No fuel is perfect, and there are some biofuel disadvantages - especially if plants are grown specifically. In addition, energy crops grown for biofuel can compete for the worlds natural habitats. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. Central to the problem is corn's relatively high water requirement. 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. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. In a possible moderate ethanol production scenario that includes trash collection and cellulosic ethanol production, sugarcane has the potential to provide sufficient ethanol to meet 14% of Australia's . Biodiesel is a renewable and clean-burning fuel that is made from waste vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles. As of now, the cost of biofuels in the market is the same as gasoline. "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. 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. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. It leads to biodiversity do to the fact that a large amount of arable land is required to grow these crops and could see some natural habitats destroyed including rainforests 2. With the growth of the biofuel industry, more jobs will be created, which will help keep the economy secure. Researchers found that the crop engineered to fight off a moth known as prey on corn created pollen that could kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. 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. At the moment, biofuels are not compatible with all types of vehicles and equipment. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. The main disadvantage to using corn crops for biofuel production is the effect it would have on food crops and prices around the world. 1. The character of biofuels when they are only produced from certain feedstocks, such as specific crops, like rapeseed, or certain waste materials, means that they may be in limited supply. 1. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. A major concern people face is that the growing use of biofuels may also mean a growth in food prices. Biofuels are obtained from crops and plants that contain large amounts of sugar. Biodiesel doesn't fare much better. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. 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.
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