Disadvantages 1. The greenhouse gases bring about global warming by trapping sunlight. Biomass production uses a lot of water 5. Disadvantages No fuel is perfect, and there are some biofuel disadvantages - especially if plants are grown specifically. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. 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. It may cause food scarcity because of the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for Biofuel production 3. On the other hand, burning garbage produces air pollution and releases the chemicals and substances in the waste into the air. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. Looking for Renewable Energy Device & Equipment Prices? But there's another complication that arises with this selection. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. "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. However, in terms of cost, the overall benefits of using biofuels are much higher. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~agroeco3/modern_agriculture.html, Burpee. Biofuels are made from various sources, including manure, crop waste, algae, other byproducts, and plants grown specifically for fuel. Syngas is a mix of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and other hydrocarbons, which is produced by partial combustion of biomass. Will alternative fuels deplete global corn supplies? Advantages of Biofuels. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. sunlight and water. However, this is not the only reason to encourage the use of biofuels. As an alternative source of energy obtained from renewable and biological material, these fuels can be produced using waste materials. Biofuels may emit lower carbon footprints but the process involved in the production of these fuels largely depends on oil and water. Most of the waste generated worldwide is biodegradable. First, a brief introduction to biofuels is essential. This difference affects the viability of the oil as fuel. "E85 Vs Conventional Gasoline - Tech Knowledge." Alexander, C. et al. But factor in a number of other complicating aspects, and biofuel often carries a heavy price. The rise in demand for food-biofuel crops can have a positive effect for crop producers, in the form of higher prices for their produce. 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. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . Import Tuner. But there are also disadvantages. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. 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. 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. 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. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. The growth of all of these plants is better when fertilized. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_0904_e85_vs_conventional_gasoline/index.html, United States Department of Agriculture. Such biofuels could be burned directly to generate electricity or converted to liquid fuels as technologies develop. 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. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. Here at Linquip you can send inquiries to all Renewable Energy suppliers and receive quotations for free, Your email address will not be published. Bioenergy is less expensive. Many biofuel crops are used to make biodiesel. But in much the same way that oranges will never be a cash crop in Alaska, there will always be some regions that simply can't support large-scale production of biofuel-rich crops. Thankfully, it didn't sell well, so few fields were planted with it. Disadvantages of Waste Management: We have now seen the merits of waste management in detail. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. As a renewable energy source, plant-based biofuels in principle make little net contribution to global warming and climate change; the carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) that enters the air during combustion will have been removed from the air earlier as growing plants engage in photosynthesis. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. A way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases is to use biofuels around the world. 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]. This necessarily destroys animal dwellings, microcosms (micro ecosystems), and reduces the overall health of a region's natural resources. But in other regions, the same plants would be impossible -- or extremely costly -- to grow. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuel. Unlike the first-generation ethanol biofuel produced from food crops, second-generation cellulosic ethanol is derived from low-value biomass that possesses a high cellulose content, including wood chips, crop residues, and municipal waste. 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. The proper way to grow biofuels to serve all needs simultaneously will continue to be a matter of much experimentation and debate, but the fast growth in biofuel production will likely continue. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? "Food vs. 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]. References: Ann, Ngee. Land use for biofuels may not cause a severe shortage of food; however, it will put pressure on the current increase of crops. Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. Because of the higher gel point of many biodiesel producing oils than petroleum, it is difficult, if not impossible, to start a biodiesel engine in cold weather. Disadvantages of Biofuels. Cellulosic biomas obtained from non-food sources, including trees and grasses, is also being developed as a raw material for ethanol production. 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. "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. While the range of oil-producing products examined viable for biofuel is wide enough to grow in most zones, high-yield crops do not grow everywhere. Advantages of Biofuels Biofuels costs have been declining and are likely to be far cheaper than petrol and other fossil fuels. Add other resource costs into the equation, such as the gallons of fresh water needed to grow the plants and the amount of fertilizer needed to keep them healthy, and it becomes even harder to equate biofuel with real energy and carbon emission savings. Increases Pollution in contrast to wind and solar 10. Biomass energy comes from organic materials, such as plants, so that is why it receives classification as a renewable source of energy. 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). Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. Corn ethanol, for example, takes a great deal more energy to create than it creates itself when burned. Read more about us. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. 1 Feb. 2011. Biofuel can generate electricity and can be created from various waste products collected from the farming industry. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. First, there's the issue of yield. Nitrogen added to drinking water can cause health problems, like methemoglobinemia, a disease that prevents infants from using the oxygen in their blood. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. 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. Economic and environmental considerations, https://www.britannica.com/technology/biofuel, United States Environmental Protection Agency - Economics of Biofuels, biofuel - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Not Rotating the Crop 3. "Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare." It took millions of years for organic materials to transform into fossil fuels stores we currently mine for our energy needs. This may involve the use of advanced technologies. For example, bioethanol, which is produced from plant matter from corn, sugarcane or rapeseed, can be blended with gasoline to create a fuel called E10, which contains 10 percent of bioethanol and 90 percent of gasoline. Land Use Modifications 9. Drivers of vehicles using these fuels often have heating units installed to keep the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel, or install dual-fuel systems that flush the engine with petroleum diesel on start-up and shut-down. 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. Second, the oil produced by these plants is not identical. And trash-based biofuels need not compete on cost with fuels, as long as they offer a lower cost than their other competitorlandfills. This difference has an effect on the oils' viability as fuel. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. Deforestation. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.environmentmagazine.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/November%202007/Naylor-Nov07-full.html, Pimentel, David and Tad W. Patzek. Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. Studies show that biofuels decrease greenhouse gases by up to 65 percent. 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. Fuel." Though ethanol and other biofuels are often promoted as clean, low-cost alternatives to gasoline, industrial corn and soy farming still have a harmful impact on the environment, just in a. 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 might seem counterintuitive at first, but some scientists argue that widespread biofuel production is a negative-sum game: Producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel, they argue, requires the energy equivalent to several gallons' worth of petroleum fuel [source: Pimentel]. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. The cost of biofuel production can vary depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the specific technologies used. 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. There is a variety of applications, including electricity generation, and heating. And high-consumption production practices -- moving palm oil with petroleum-powered trucks and the practice of draining and burning peat bogs to prepare farmland -- have made the southeast Asian nation one of the world's leading greenhouse gas emitters [source: Rosenthal]. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like When considering large scale hydropower the disadvantage causing the LEAST environmental impact would be Decreased of flow of silt and sand to natural downstream deposits Disruption of the life cycle of anadromous and endemic fish Flooding of upstream habitat Change of job sources in the area, When a mineral resource is too deep . The oil in their grains is pressed out, filtered, and reformed to fuel by a chemical process. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. The green biomass from these grasses can be harvested regularly for the use as a biofuel. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. Less garbage in landfills. That's why Waste Management, Inc., has invested in a slew of such waste-to-energy companies, including Enerkem. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. "The Ripple Effect: Biofuels, Food Security and the Environment." Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 100% Biodiesel is actually just as biodegradable as sugar and ten times less toxic when compared with table salt. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. 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. High Cost of Production Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. One way is through direct competition for land, water, and other resources. As the name suggests, biofuels are derived from plant and their products. The transition to biofuels will affect especially economic sectors of agriculture, manufacture, reprocessing, recycling, and transportation. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels. Nevertheless, in 2012 Edmonton will host a chemical plant owned by Enerkem that will turn garbage into 36 million liters of ethanol and methanol per year. Your IP: 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. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. An example of such practice could be plantation of diverse prairie grass mixtures. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22428/page1/, Mellon, Margaret and Jane Rissler. 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 . It takes biomass and turns it into a clean-burning fuel. As crude oil prices rise, we need several other alternative energy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. While both of these additives promote rapid and hearty growth in many crops, they have a downside. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. Weather issue 11. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. 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. Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. Soil, groundwater and air pollution. Because biomass technically can be used directly as a fuel, sometimes the terms biomass and biofuel are used interchangeably. (A Comprehensive Guide), Top 10 Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in the US in 2023, What are the Negative Aspects of Renewable Energy? "Essentially, we intersect [with the waste] before it goes to the landfill, where it would just contribute to the methane gas already coming from there," says Ineos business manager, Dan Cummings. Unfortunately, that image is also a sign of monoculture, an agricultural problem that could conceivably get much worse due to biofuels. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. Converting from one fuel to the other, in some cases, needs a set of new injectors, gaskets, and fuel lines. A number of existing power facilities burn grass, wood, or other kinds of biomass. But if not done with an eye toward conserving resources and maintaining the spirit of reducing emissions through plant-based fuels, this ramping up of production can lead to greater environmental problems than the ones it's meant to solve. MIT Technology Review. Given the expense of converting this mix of dirt and heavy oils to more usable petroleum products, the province is not keen on alternative fuels. All rights reserved. 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. Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. For the billions of people living on only a few dollars per day, even a slight increase in food prices could jeopardize their access to proper nutrition. The production of biofuels often leads to land use changes, such as the conversion of natural habitats to cropland. 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. Land use is also a major factor in evaluating the benefits of biofuels. Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. The burning of fossil fuels generates a variety of air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Also, these crops can be planted again. The regional nature of high-producing plants such as palm oil means that certain parts of the world are agricultural gold mines: Biofuel demand motivates plantations to expand quickly. Fueling homes, businesses, and vehicles with biofuels are less expensive compared to fossil fuels. 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. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. 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. In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. 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. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. The New York Times. "Oil Yields and Characteristics." 2009. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1552355771656v0/, Rosen, C.J. This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. 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. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. 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? As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. The generation of biofuels, a priori, represents several advantages over obtaining fossil fuels used to get fossil energy.The main advantage is that the regeneration of resources does not take millions of years as it happens with coal, oil, or natural gas.. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. 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. Follow David Biello on Twitter. Adverse consequences can occur when chemicals are in the water supply. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. "Growing Zone Information." Incredibly safe. As of now, the interest and capital investment being put into biofuel production is fairly low, but it can match demand. Gasoline is refined from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. So, it could be a threat to food security or access to adequate nutritious food for the population. Water Usage 7. The second generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulosic, woody biomass, or agricultural waste. 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. Farmers of corn, soybeans and cotton -- all potential biofuel sources -- are increasingly planting genetically modified versions of those plants [source: United States Department of Agriculture]. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e12d729352bd1 Moreover, the crops that are grown to produce biomass absorb carbon dioxide which helps clean the air. Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. ", David Biello is a contributing editor at Scientific American. Renewability Is an Advantage It takes a very long time for fossil fuels to be produced. Its worth noting that the negative effects of biofuels can be mitigated by adopting appropriate policies and regulations, such as implementing sustainable land use practices, supporting research and development of advanced biofuels, and promoting the use of biofuels in a way that doesnt compete with food production. It causes air pollution 3. Disadvantages of Biofuels Production of biofuels can be quite inefficient Large amounts of raw materials have to be used Significant greenhouse gas emissions in the production chain Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides High initial investments required Increase in global food prices Global hunger and starvation High water demand Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. "Waste as a feedstock [for biofuels] has a number of advantages," says Enerkem's co-founder and chief technology officer Esteban Chornet, a former engineer at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Corrections? Biomass and biofuels have been used to generate energy since ancient times. Biofuels also supply environmental benefits but, depending on how they are manufactured, can also have serious environmental drawbacks. For example, if crops grown for biofuels are planted on land that could be used for growing food crops. Industry researchers had found an answer in palm oil, a relatively easy-to-produce biofuel source. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. Growing demand for food-biofuel crops may have a positive result for crop producers due to higher prices for their products. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. When biofuels are burned, they produce significantly less carbon output and fewer toxins than carbon fuels. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 6. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Web. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. New York City spends roughly $400 million each year to transport 14 million tons of waste to incinerators and landfills. Algae has the same concerns of monoculture that the agriculture industry experiences. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. It has a lower cost for the environment, as it doesnt have to be brought over a long distance, releasing carbon dioxide emissions.