Biofuel

At its simplest definition Advanced Biofuels are high-energy liquid fuels made from non-feed, non-food feedstocks that can be sustinably grown and biogas and butanol or other alcohols produced from the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass. Well, that’s a mouth full! The simplest way to look at it is to break down this definition so it’s easier to understand.

To help us understand Advanced Biofuels better lets use some definitions as published in the Independence and Security Act of 2007:

TITLE II-ENERGY SECURITY THROUGH INCREASED PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS

Subtitle A-Renewable Fuel Standard

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

(1) DEFINITIONS.-In this section: …

(B) ADVANCED BIOFUEL.-

(i) IN GENERAL.-The term ‘advanced biofuel’ means renewable fuel, other than ethanol derived from corn starch, that has lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Administrator, after notice and opportunity for comment, that are at least 50 percent less than baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

(ii) INCLUSIONS.-The types of fuels eligible for consideration as ‘advanced biofuel’ may include any of the following:

(I) Ethanol derived from cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin.

(II) Ethanol derived from sugar or starch (other than corn starch).

(III) Ethanol derived from waste material, including crop residue, other vegetative waste material, animal waste, and food waste and yard waste.

(IV) Biomass-based diesel.

(V) Biogas (including landfill gas and sewage waste treatment gas) produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass.

(VI) Butanol or other alcohols produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass.

(VII) Other fuel derived from cellulosic biomass.

You’re welcome to read the entire legislation by clicking Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007

Traditionally, ethanol in the U.S. has been produced from corn. While it is a good place to start it is not going to come anywhere near fulfilling the needs of the U.S. market. It is too important as both a food and feed source and the cost to produce ethanol is relatively high compared to other options available. Clearly it’s not a good option moving forward. So what are some better options?

Tremendous gains in technology have improved the recovery and production methods to produce ethanol on a mass scale from vegetative waste like plants. The cellulose, hemicellulos and lignin in plants can be used to produce ethanols. Perennial grasses like switchgrass or miscanthus can be grown on marginal lands not used for growing food. They take little or no fertilizer, don’t require irrigation and would need no tilling of the land. Sugra cane has been used successfully for years in Brazil and now through initiatives taken by the State of Louisiana that technology is being brought to the U.S.

Plants like jatropha, which covers about 175 species of succulent plants, shrubs and trees, whose seeds contain an avergae of 34% oil can be readily refined into biodiesel. It is an extremely hardy plant that is extremely drought resistant. Other biomass based diesel feedstocks include vegetable oils, soy, rapeseed, jatropha, mahua, mustard, flax, sunflower, palm oil, hemp, algae and other plant waste, including your lawn clippings.

Algae based biodiesel is another area of rapid growth in providing high energy liquid fuels at relatively low cost. Some estimates claim algae is capable of producing more oil than 2nd generation biofuel crops. The jury is still out on that claim but algae based biofuel is being successfully produced in small and medium sized batch environments.

So where does that leave us now? Are advanced biofuels ready for prime time? Some think so, but most of the work is still in research. Some localized areas are producing small batches for testing and use. The State of Louisiana has moved forward in a very large step to bring sugar ethanol production to their state. Other states should take the lead instead of waiting on an ill equipped Federal bureacracy to do something. Most of what will happen in the future will be driven by private companies taking the risk, doing the research and making the investment in infrastructure to deliver high-energy fuels that have been developed from low input biomass.

It is apparent that there isn’t a single “silver bullet” solution to the energy needs of a growing world. It’s going to take multiple solutions blended together and delivered in unique ways so it appears as a seamless solution to the consumer. You can do your part by becoming an educated consumer and asking about biofuels and alternative energy solutions from energy providers you come across in your day to day world. Stay tuned for more!