Biofuel Disadvantages: In the creation of first generation biofuels, huge amounts of land are needed. The oil in their seeds is pressed out, filtered and converted to fuel using a chemical process. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. What are the economic drawbacks of using biofuels. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. A number of manufacturers sell biodiesel and grease car conversion components, and some others find methods to overcome the gelling problem. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Let us now have a look at the disadvantages also. This means they require more space to store the same amount of energy than fossil fuels. IATA believes that by 2020 we could see 3%-4% of fuel comprised of second generation biofuels, which is made from biomass, agricultural residues or waste, rather than from the oil crops used for first generation biofuels. Consumers living in a low-producing region need to have biofuel by moving through pipes or trucks to them. The use of waste biomass to generate energy can decrease waste management problems, pollution, greenhouse gaseous emissions and the use of fossil fuels. But there are also disadvantages. April 2009. This makes it something close to a self-sustaining system. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Linquipis a Professional Network for Equipment manufacturers, industrial customers, and service providers, Copyright 2022 Linquip Company. 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. Biofuels are definitely cheaper than fossil fuels. About 3.5 million tons of garbage is discarded in landfills every day. All Rights Reserved. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. The amount of water used to grow biofuels varies depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the farming practices used. 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. According to some estimates, expansion by Indonesian palm oil plantations caused the vast majority of that nation's deforestation in the late '80s and '90s. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. They produce industrial pollution. This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. (A Comprehensive Guide), Top 10 Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in the US in 2023, What are the Negative Aspects of Renewable Energy? Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. #1 Land use changes and land grabbing In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. Follow David Biello on Twitter. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. 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. 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. Compatibility refers to the ability of a fuel to be used in existing infrastructure and equipment without modification or damage. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. In addition, energy crops grown for biofuel can compete for the worlds natural habitats. Looking for Renewable Energy Device & Equipment Prices? As an alternative to landfills, incineration offers the following advantages: #1 Far more efficient use of space. 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 can limit the scale of biofuel production and make it more vulnerable to disruptions such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, which can displace local communities and increase the cost of land. Central to the problem is corn's relatively high water requirement. Captured carbon dioxide could be sequestered (stored) in long-term repositories such as geologic formations beneath the land, in sediments of the deep ocean, or conceivably as solids such as carbonates. Numerous unsaturated oils have undesirable burn properties. and B.P. 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. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. 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. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. To meet the increasing demand for biofuels, farmers may convert natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands, into croplands. 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). Disadvantages of Composting If the composted materials contain waste types such as animal or food waste there is a risk that diseases (for example "foot and mouth") may be spread in the compost. ), which scientists call biomass. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e12d729352bd1 2015-2023 Greentumble. 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. There is also no need to convert the engine. Biomass production uses a lot of water 5. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. However, ready access to food imports, and the ease of exporting, hinge on a wide range of political and social factors. Quick Navigation for Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels, [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK196452/. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. . All rights reserved. Another challenge is the limited energy density of biofuels. Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. Although it has been stated quite extensively that biofuels have an overall positive environmental impact, it may be well to explore the disadvantages of biofuels in this respect. 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. The use of biofuels improves energy security of individual countries by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance of countries on a single energy source. In many cases, biofuels can be produced from locally available resources. They emit less carbon dioxide and other emissions when burned than standard diesel. It has the same advantages as for AD (items 3 to 6 inclusive) over spreading untreated organic waste material on land. "Biofuels and their Impact on Food Prices." (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22428/page1/, Mellon, Margaret and Jane Rissler. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. 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. Disadvantages of Biofuels. Land Use Modifications 9. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. (Nov. 16, 2010)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31biofuel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1290625375-G4EOxMpw99oBdvPcW6DvCw, Tsuneishi, Scott. 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. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. It causes air pollution 3. Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. Corrections? Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. Feb. 5, 2007. 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. Given that the conversion rate is lower than with first-generation biofuels, cellulosic ethanol is dominantly used as a gasoline additive. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . Biofuels have some advantages over their counterparts. Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. Cellulosic ethanol is commonly made from sugarcane bagasse, a waste product from sugar processing, or from various grasses that can be cultivated on low-quality land. The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. Advantages of Biofuels Biofuels costs have been declining and are likely to be far cheaper than petrol and other fossil fuels. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. For this and other reasons, perennials such as switchgrass and miscanthus have gained in popularity as feedstock for biofuels, as they leave much more ground cover after harvest for the prevention of soil loss. Plant-based fuel can be produced almost anywhere, comes from a renewable resource and often produces cleaner emissions than petroleum-based fuel. 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