As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. 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. The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. The use of regular feedstock, such as corn and soybeans, as a primary component of first-generation biofuels sparked the food versus fuel debate. Corn ethanol, for example, takes a great deal more energy to create than it creates itself when burned. In diverting arable land and feedstock from the human food chain, biofuel production can affect the economics of food price and availability. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. 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. 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. 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. The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. Many unsaturated oils have undesirable burn characteristics: They'll leave gummy residue in an engine when used as fuel. But factor in a number of other complicating aspects, and biofuel often carries a heavy price. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. 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. You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. Biofuel uses waste natural materials, and produces fewer emissions as a result. Anything that is local comes with an extra benefit. After all, a better harvest will lower prices and ensure there is enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and provide the fuel to the world. Jan. 31, 2007. Ethanol also absorbs water easily giving it a high tendency to corrode materials. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. 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]. Although the creation of biofuels produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is often used to grow the plants that are converted into fuel. 1 Feb. 2011. But in cases that seem as much science fiction as they are scientific fact, genetically modified crops have accidentally developed unintended -- and sometimes dangerous -- traits. 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. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. After all, a better harvest would reduce prices and ensure there's enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and fuel the world, right? Biofuels can require significant amounts of water for irrigation and processing, which can lead to water depletion and competition with other water uses, including even water for households, or for food production. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determines bioenergy as a renewable energy form. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. 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. 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]. They cover the soil year-round, and support biodiversity of small soil fauna and mammals by providing nutrients. Whereas oil is a finite resource and comes from unique materials, biofuels can be produced from a broad variety of ingredients, including crop waste, manure, and other by-products. Long-time monoculture farms have to use much more artificial fertilizer than their more sustainable peers, increasing water pollution. There will come a time when they will . 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. Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. And once the engine's running, the differences in combustion properties between gasoline and ethanol means that the ethanol-converted engine needs to have its ignition timing adjusted to operate properly [source: Tsuneishi]. Disadvantage of Biofuels Energy output Indirect Carbon Emissions Much Higher Initial Cost Food Prices May Strain Water Resources Destruction of Cultivable Land Conclusion on Biofuel Pros and Cons Related Resources Biofuel Pros and Cons Analysis: How Does It Work? List of Disadvantages of Algae Biofuel. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy Biomass Energy . Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. But there are also disadvantages. Some algal species contain up to 40 percent lipids by weight, which can be converted into biodiesel or synthetic petroleum. Let us know if you liked this article. ), which scientists call biomass. This undergraduate laboratory experiment educates students on the various alternative fuels that are being developed for automotive applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each. 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]. Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. This means they require more space to store the same amount of energy than fossil fuels. Converting from one fuel to the other, in some cases, needs a set of new injectors, gaskets, and fuel lines. Additionally, the grass mix actually helps to offset carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These materials include plant matter such as corn, soybeans, and sugarcane, as well as animal fats and agricultural waste. 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. And while the range of oil-producing crops considered viable for biofuel production is wide enough to fit most growing zones, the most productive crops simply won't grow everywhere. 6. The plant will turn 300 metric tons of raw fluff per day into 36 million liters of ethanol per year. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. 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. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. Biofuel is produced from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable than fossil diesel. They emit less carbon dioxide and other emissions when burned than standard diesel. 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. Biodiesel, which has found greatest acceptance in Europe, is used in diesel engines and usually blended with petroleum diesel fuel in various percentages. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. 1. "Preventing Pollution Problems from Lawn and Garden Fertilizers." The second most common liquid biofuel is biodiesel, which is made primarily from oily plants (such as the soybean or oil palm) and to a lesser extent from other oily sources (such as waste cooking fat from restaurant deep-frying). All of these plants grow better when given fertilizer. Biofuels are also used with success for heating buildings. 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. . See also carbon sequestration. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. The benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels depend on a variety of factors that need to be considered when used on a large scale. Traditional waste tire management strategies Advantages Disadvantages; Recycling and reclamation: Reduces global warming and helps preserve . 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. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. This can make them less practical for some applications, such as long-distance transportation. Many biofuel crops are used to make biodiesel. After the incineration process is complete, the total mass of the remaining garbage can be reduced by up to 85 percent, while its volume may shrink by as much as 95 percent [5].. Follow David Biello on Twitter. This can be achieved through the use of waste materials and non-food crops for biofuel production, as well as the adoption of sustainable practices such as minimal tillage and the use of cover crops. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. However, other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be low-input crops and need less pesticides. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." Diverting that waste to anaerobic digestion would turn a cost into an opportunity, generating revenue from energy production and co-products. While both of these additives promote rapid and hearty growth in many crops, they have a downside. And while biofuel is not as clean as other renewables and won't get us out of the woods when it comes to reversing the impacts of climate change, it is a reliable renewable source.