The Advantages Of Bio-Fuel

As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels

Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:

• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.

• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.

• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.

Different types of bio-fuels

Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.

The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.

The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.

The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.

The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Advantages of bio-fuels

Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:

• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.

• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.

Disadvantages of bio-fuels

Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:

• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.

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The Advantages Of Bio-Fuel is a post from: Renewable Energy

Bio-fuel Crops Producing Bio-diesel

A Healty and Viable Future in Vietnam

The company now boasts 22 employees, including scientists, farmers, international businessmen, industrial workers and of course family.

GreenEnergy`s corporate mission aims to bring large tracts of rural land under scientific but basic cultivation of bio-fuel feedstocks, bringing with it employment and entrepreneurial opportunities to potentially thousands of Vietnamese rural poor, while providing inputs for GreenEnergy`s core business, the refining and marketing of bio-diesel.

It is a win, win situation for everyone because not only does cultivation of this vegetable oil require only marginally arable, war damaged or barren land, this also means its activities do not compete with other food production which avoids putting upward pressure on food prices.

N.B (Vietnamese Government has identified seven million hectares as marginal, barren or war damaged land).

In addition GreenEnergy`s operations achieve a renewable and sustainable fuel source for Vietnam to continue its development with all the attendant social, economic and environmental benefits in producing clean energy.

Because of the scale and potential of the bio-diesel industry in Vietnam and indeed globally, where tens of millions of bio-fuel crops will have to be grown to substantially replace fossil fuels, a ‘second green revolution’ is possible, bringing with it true improvement in the lives of the rural poor and vegetable oils can play a significant role in helping to ameliorate global warming as a key aspect of climate change.

Global warming, a key aspect of climate change, now clearly recognized as a result of a concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere – has the worst impact on the climate.

Carbon dioxide, the most common of GHGs, is emitted during the burning of fossil fuels.

The Kyoto Protocol gazetted in February 2005 requires participating countries to cut carbon emissions.

Further to this, rising crude oil prices and the need to reduce dependence on imported oil has made it necessary for net oil importers to think of alternative energy sources. The precarious situation with fossil fuel supplies coupled with the ability of bio-fuels to lessen that risk, makes it feasible for the global economy to revert its focus towards agriculture and those traditionally engaged in it, thus offering a potential boon to Vietnam’s rural sector.

Full bio-diesel use would reduce net CO2 by over 78% compared to petroleum diesel and up to 16% with the use of blends comprising 20% bio-diesel.

While both fuels are almost equally efficient at converting raw energy resources into fuels, bio-diesel has a larger part that is renewable .Similarly, bio-diesel is non-toxic and environmentally friendly as it produces substantially less CO2, ensuring sustainable environmental practices.

GreenEnergy has recognized this mammoth task and has adopted a dual strategy for attaining its goals in Vietnam.

1.Public – Aggressive initiatives to “jump-start” the production side of bio-fuel feedstocks by forming a partnership with Vietnams Central Government and People’s Committees as well as aid agencies to help put large tracts of marginal land under bio-fuel crop cultivation quickly.

A memorandum of understanding and support was signed by the Peoples Committee of Binh Dinh Province and Green Energy Vietnam on the 8th of December 2006 and the 500 hectare Binh Dinh Research and Training Facility for the Cultivation of Biofuel Feedstocks has been established, known as BDF- FARMER ENERGY- a working laboratory devoted to developing the bio-fuel industry for the benefit of Vietnamese rural poor.

2.Private – Includes GEV investments to retain its ‘First Mover’ advantage by securing its proprietary feedstocks, expanding its physical plant refinery presence and continuing to build its integrated supply-chain, complete with forward contracted suppliers and customers.

It is in this first arena, Public Initiatives, that GreenEnergy sees co-operation with aid agencies.

Some of the substantial and sustainable benefits that the cultivation of bio-fuels crops can contribute to Vietnam are:

1. Real cash growth, raising the annual income of 0 to ,300 U.S. for thousands of marginalized rural families.

2. Private homesteading for the rural poor.

3. Stress relief and barren or war damaged land reclamation.

4. Enfranchisement of poor, rural women.

5. Retention of scarce foreign currency reserves and

6. Independence from the uncertainties of global mineral oil markets.

The People`s Committee of the Province of Binh Dinh and GreenEnergy, Vietnam, in full realization of the enormous impact this Research and Training Facility will have for all of Vietnam`s rural communities, cordially invites any and all organizations seeking positive change in the livelihood of rural Vietnamese to form an active Partnership in the development of this Research and Training Facility.

The Binh Dinh Facility wants to be a catalyst in harnessing this opportunity for all stakeholders and delivering:

. A path for the rural poor to climb out of their deprivation rather than fall further behind.

. A renewable, sustainable and viable alternative to fossil fuel for Vietnam’s surging economy. and an industry that rejuvenates, rather than degrades the environment.

Introduction to the oil plant Jatropha.

The oil plant Jatrophas curcas (L) (Jatropha) or physic nut, is multipurpose and drought resistant, growing to a height range of 2 to 7 metres for the Asian species and it not only flourishes in tropical and sub-tropical climate zones but even in areas absent of water.

Because its leaves and stems are toxic to animals it is often used as a protective hedge around farm houses, gardens and fields.

It also reduces soil damage caused by erosion from wind and water and traditionally the seeds were harvested by women for medical treatments and local soap production.

In Thailand, Jatropha normally flowers twice a year, in dry and rainy seasons with seed harvesting conducted approximately 60-90 days after flowering and the oil plant has a productive life of 20 years.

Because the market is probably not yet mature enough for the plant to generate enough income solely from oil extraction, a holistic rural development approach has to be taken into account in order to exploit all potential uses of the Jatropha plant. This approach is known as the Jatropha System.

The system focuses not only on the use of the source as a fuel, but rather as an element, to activate a system combining ecologic, economic and income generating activities.

Consequently, the Jatropha System offers four main aspects of development aiming to better the livelihoods in rural areas, especially for women and farmers:

. Renewable energy- bio-diesel

. Erosion control and soil improvement

. Promotion of women and

. Income generation.

About one-third of seeds can be extracted as oil that has a similar energy value to diesel fuel. The oil is extracted by hydraulic pressure and then filtered through an intensive sleeve that can then be readily used without any complicated refinery process, directly available for small diesel engines as a substitution for diesel oil, without engine modification.

This oil can power engines, such as water pumps, tractors, hand mowers, other farm machinery and rice milling machines and by using this domestically produced oil as a substitution for imported oil, significant cash savings can be made.

GreenEnergy Ltd have already committed a considerable amount of time, money and resources to this environmentally sound an economically sustainable project in Vietnam and welcome further input from other interested parties.

It is also their belief that at an international level, stakeholders involved should perform a three pronged approach, with mutual knowledge, technology transfer, genetic development of high oil content in the seeds and exchange of Jatropha species, together with investment and trade linkage.

Bio-fuel Crops Producing Bio-diesel is a post from: Renewable Energy

Owing to their vast diversity and high growth rate, microalgae offer numerous advantages as the most promising photosynthetic organisms for biofuel production and CO2 bio-sequestration. Two different processes have been proposed for these purposes: microalgal farming and ocean fertilisation. This book focuses primarily on the former while providing a brief introduction to the latter.

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Microalgae for Biofuel Production and Co2 Sequestration is a post from: Renewable Energy

Biofuel plant in Wyo to work with sugar cane waste
Wyoming is a long way from places where sugar cane is grown, but a test plant in the northeast part of the state will soon be turning sugar cane waste into biofuel.
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Biofuel panel discussion today
The Cape Fear Economic Development Council holds a panel discussion on area biofuel production and distribution at the WHQR Gallery in downtown Wilmington.
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Lastest Biofuel News is a post from: Renewable Energy

A recent government report says the US could easily produce more than a billion tons of materials to make biofuels each year – and it wouldn’t impact our food supply. Researchers at UT’s Institute of Agriculture are working on ways to produce biomass and alternative fuels.

Biofuel is a post from: Renewable Energy

Bryan Garner, News Channel 5 visits a farm in Fellsmere that produces algae which replaces crude oil. Fred Tennant (Vice President of Petroalgae) says it is cheaper than oil, a lot cheaper. Arizona State developed this Algae and or process. Bits of algae fed with carbon dioxide grow dark green. From seed to harvest in just two days. This video was taken before the gas reached the four dollar mark. The kick in the ass is that this company will not produce it for the public. So I don’t see it effecting pump prices, EVER! RECORDED IN MAY 2008
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Next Big Bio-Fuel – ALGAE is a post from: Renewable Energy

Biofuel for Everyone: Will It Solve the Energy Crisis?

We need only read the front page headlines of every major newspaper to understand the deepening oil crisis and the worldwide repercussions of supply and demand as it relates to our traditional energy resources. Is it any wonder that renewable sources of energy are gaining in popularity as an alternative resource? Biofuel is one emerging energy source that may help address the supply-and-demand dilemma versus modern world overdependence on petroleum and petroleum-based applications. Furthermore, biofuel advocates stress that biofuels give off cleaner emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide, two greenhouse gases that are responsible for climactic change and global warming.

The Difference Between Biofuel and Fossil Fuel

The critical difference between biofuel and traditional fossil fuel is the number of years it takes to form. Biofuel is derived from recently dead biological or organic material. Traditional fossil fuel comes from long dead (read: millions of years old) biological organisms. For this reason, biofuel is considered a renewable resource because it can be replenished in a short period of time. Fossil fuel is classified as a non-renewable resource because its reserves are being depleted much faster than it takes to form new reserves.

While biofuel and fossil fuel are carbon-based properties (they both derive from biological matter) biofuel is considered carbon neutral because the energy is derived from plants, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Whereas, fossil fuels released carbon dioxide, which has been stored beneath the earth surface for millions of years, into the air. Carbon dioxide emissions are the number one pollutant.

Biofuel comes from a variety of feedstock sources, of which the more common ones are corn, sugar cane, palm, wheat, algae, and jatropha. From these feedstock sources, two popular fuels are produced for transportation and machineries. They are biodiesel and bioethanol. Broken down further, biodiesel is derived from plant oils; bioethanol is derived from fermented starch or sugar crops.

How Are Biofulels Used?

Biofuels can be used in a pure (denoted as B100) or a blended form (denoted as a percentage). Biofuel is the most common fuel used in Europe because European car manufacturers outfit their cars with diesel engines. For most unmodified diesel engines, advocates say blends of up to 20% (B20) are deemed safe. Higher concentrations require modifications to the diesel engine.

Bioethanol is suggested as a substitute for gasoline in vehicles. However, users have to be careful in choosing the proper blend of ethanol. Generally, a 10% blend of ethanol (E10) may be safe to be used in newer cars. Lower concentrations have been used in some older engines without having adverse effects on vehicle fuel lines, but users should consult their car manufacturers to find out if bioethanol is safe for their engines. In some cases, conversions can void the manufacturer warranty.

Proponents Say

Advocates suggest businesses, especially those in the transportation industry will benefit from using biofuels on two fronts: (1) When biofuel prices are more stable than oil prices, companies are in a better position to plan and budget fuel expenditures for the year. (2) Cleaner vehicular emissions may save transportation companies maintenance costs, while helping them meet new government mandated environmental standards.

Opponents Say

Opponents question how governments establish standards, regulations, and mandates and suggest that the underlying motivation for setting certain standards and enforcing mandates is political.

In other words, opponents contend that politicians are showing preferential treatment to their constituents and lobbyists. The end result is that governments, not the economy, are creating winners and losers. If your company or industry falls on the out of political favor side, you may wind up paying higher taxes or incurring higher costs to meet those politically inspired mandates

Car Manufacturer Status

Car manufactures today are being forced to produce more vehicles that are biofuel ready. In addition to using cheaper fuel, both manufacturers and buyers will be given government incentives (in the form of tax credits) to embrace renewable and alternative energy. Studies also suggest that certain types of biofuel (e.g., biodiesel) can make engines last longer when users maintain their cars by using the right biofuel blend.

The Food vs. Fuel Debate

Biofuel does have an underside and has been the subject of a current debate on food vs. fuel. Since biofuel uses plants that are also used in food supply (corn, maize, wheat, sugar cane, and coconut), this raises the question of whether it is appropriate to use food crops to create alternative fuel instead of filling world food demand. The debate has been further intensified as the world experienced what was deemed as a food crisis in 2007. Critics contend that using agricultural land to produce crops to be used in biofuel production led to this crisis.

These issues must be ironed out by policymakers and regulatory bodies to ensure a workable balance between access to energy and all other necessities.

Proponents and opponents come together around environmental and health benefits of going green. Thus the conversion to more biofuels is probably inevitable. Some are very concerned with how that is executed, since the timing of the changes is not clear. Also total direct and indirect costs and what groups benefit and which groups suffer are major concerns. With Congressional leadership dedicated to accelerating greener energy in a way that benefits their constituents and lobbyists (For example, why do tax deductions for trial attorneys help the general public?), there will definitely be winners and losers.

What the biofuels discussion is pointing to is the urgency to begin planning NOW for this inevitability to help protect industries and consumers from rising costs from energy, regulations and taxes.

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Biofuel for Everyone: Will It Solve the Energy Crisis? is a post from: Renewable Energy

Faced with the twin threats of peak oil and climate change, many governments have turned for an answer to the apparent panacea of biofuels. Yet, increasingly, the progressive implementation of this solution demonstrates that the promise of biofuels as a replacement to fossil fuels is in fact a mirage that, if followed, risks leaving us short of power, short of food, destroying biodiversity and doing as much damage to the climate as ever. Worse still, these risks are being ignored.

In this definitive exposé, Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi present exhaustive evidence for the case against large scale biofuel production from agricultural crops. The book begins by showing that the characteristics of agro-biofuels make them neither a viable nor a desirable alternative to fossil fuels. It then moves on to discuss a possibly more worrying issue. Even though agro-biofuels are well known, in the field of energy analysis, to be very low quality “energy sources”, the biofuel ba

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The Biofuel Delusion: The Fallacy of Large Scale Agro-Biofuel Production Review is a post from: Renewable Energy

Biofuel drive hits a snag
The Government’s bid to boost production of biofuel has hit a snag with questions raised over whether it could invalidate engine warranties.
Read more on NZPA via Yahoo!Xtra News

Biofuel drive hits a snag
The Government’s bid to boost production of biofuel has hit a snag with questions raised over whether it could invalidate engine warranties. read more
Read more on Otago Daily Times

Biofuel drive hits a snag is a post from: Renewable Energy

Is Making Homemade Biofuel Easy?

Making homemade biofuel is not as easy as some of the videos would have you believe. There are many factors in the process of creating homemade biofuel that will determine how well it runs in your engine. It also depends on the kind of diesel you own, whether or not the fuel will run smoothly in your car. A rule of thumb is older is better for diesels. The old mercedes, vw and volvos work best and since they are old you do not really care if after years of use the homemade biofuel has any effect. I read that a diesel older then 2003 will run the fuel but I would double check your make and model with more research to know for sure.

The filtering of waste oil is the key to homemade biofuel and whether or not it runs in your engine. Weather conditions of your area also has a great impact on how you work with your homemade biofuel, you may need to mix it with regular diesel or other mixers to make sure it runs in the adverse weather conditions. Because there are so many factors to think about when making homemade biofuel a guide was developed to step you through the process and help you achieve oil independence. Plus if you decide you no longer want to try homemade biofuel or figure it’s not for you, the guide is completely refundable. Is it easy to make homemade biofuel, yes! Just read through the guide and discover for yourself how easy you can make it with some help from the masters. See for yourself. There is a great BBC video demonstrating how the biodiesel works in an old volvo.

Algae is the fastest growing plant life, and as an organism it converts sunlight into oil, scientists theorize that Algal biofuel can produce a whopping 30 times more energy per acre than any other biofuel option. The US Department of Energy has estimated that if Algal Biofuel replaced all conventional fuel in the country, it would require 15000 square miles of land to harvest the algae… which is roughly one seventh of the area that is used to harvest corn in the US every year. And a diverse group of byproducts, such as neutraceuticals and feedstocks for producing plastics, can be created in algal biofuel operations, making the production more cost effective. But before we start celebrating the great biofuel solution we’ve been looking for, there are a few problems… the biomass for producing a significant amount of algal biofuel just doesn’t exist yet. The algae has to be grown from scratch and harvesting it is very expensive at this point in time. The potential of Algal Biofuel is staggering… but the problem is that, as of now, it’s all just potential. It might be years before the technology catches up to make producing algal biofuel on a large scale possible… but when that time comes, we might be able to finally celebrate a more efficient, renewable, and environmentally friendly energy source. For more information on this exciting and developing technology, check out AlgalBioMass.Org. I’m Elizabeth Chambers. Check back here for more eco friendly news and tips …
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Is Making Homemade Biofuel Easy? is a post from: Renewable Energy