Biofuels for transport provide a rosy future (EU)

[jpak]

http://www.fona.de/de/4_serviceangebote/nachrichten/2006/03/060323_Biofuels_for_transport.php?ListviewCat=

BIOFRAC was set-up early in 2005 as a DG Research initiative to pull together different research strands and provide a focus on biomass to transportation fuels. The authors hope the vision report will support Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) initiatives.

The vision BIOFRAC proposes is that, 'By 2030, the European Union covers as much as one fourth of its road transport fuel needs by clean and CO2-efficient biofuels', which they believe will in turn stimulate innovative technologies, and growth in the biomass, biofuel and automotive sectors. The report paints an optimistic picture should this target be achieved, with several win-win situations.

Today, transport accounts for 30 per cent of the total energy consumption in the EU, with 98 per cent of that transport energy spend on fossil fuels. All fossil fuels contribute to CO2 emissions and climate change. An advantage of using biofuels is that the CO2 released will be environmentally neutral, as the CO2 used to generate the biomass and the CO2 released will be the same, leaving no net increase in CO2.

Investment in biofuels would have the double advantage of contributing to CO2 emission targets and helping to secure the EU fuel supply. A large boost in biofuels could have significant consequences for how our countryside looks. Estimates range from four to13 per cent for the amount of EU agricultural land that would need to be used for growing biofuel crops to entirely replace fossil fuels. The authors believe that this could 'facilitate the absorption of the agricultural sector in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).'

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[JohnWxy]

1. VERY INTERESTING REPORT -

The EU is the world leader in the production of biodiesel. The rest of the world's output of biofuels is concentrated in Brazil, the world leader in bioethanol (but the U.S. is closing fast on Brazil.__JW).

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A final draft of the Biofuels Research Advisory Council (BIOFRAC) vision report, entitled 'Biofuels in the European Union. A Vision for 2030 and Beyond', has been published, pushing strongly for investment in biofuels, especially second generation biofuels, which offer the greatest CO2 efficiencies.
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Investment in biofuels would have the double advantage of contributing to CO2 emission targets and helping to secure the EU fuel supply. A large boost in biofuels could have significant consequences for how our countryside looks. Estimates range from four to 13 per cent for the amount of EU agricultural land that would need to be used for growing biofuel crops to entirely replace fossil fuels (NOte: this could be accomplished by EXPANDING land under cultivation.__JW).

The authors estimate that 45,000 to 75,000 new jobs will be created for each per cent of fossil fuels that biofuels replace. If biofuels do indeed contribute one quarter of the energy needed, this would represent up to 551,250 new jobs across the EU, and all in rural areas.

{This is what reducing the importation of oil and spending the money for domestically produced fuel does for the economy. This would contribute greatly to the strength of the economy through job creation. Not just those directly involved in bio-fuels production would benefit - the whole economy benefits.__JW}

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The report points out that 'Biomass in electricity has the greatest greenhouse gas benefits and biomass in heating is the cheapest, transport biofuels have the highest employment intensity and the greatest security of supply benefits.' This indicates a potential win-win-win for biofuels across the energy markets.

A three-pronged approach to develop biofuels is outlined: First, using current foodstocks, such as wheat, as the source crop to manufacture biodiesels and other biofuels. Second, exploiting 'waste' or residues from agriculture, which will require advances in technological development between 2010 and 2020, developing the manufacture of 'second generation' biofuels. Finally, growing special biomass crops, which, the report stresses, should be explored to ascertain biodiversity impact. These crops may be GM products separate from the food chain.

A summary of biofuel terminology:

First Generation fuels - from simple, accessible technologies and chemical processes, such as fermentation.

Bioethanol - high purity alcohol produced from cash crops such as sugar beet or grains. Vehicles may need specially modified engines at proportions over 25 per cent ethanol-petrol mix.
    {What this also means is engines that run on gas can use gas-ethanol blends up to 25% WITHOUT MODIFICATION.
    That is, everybody can help reduce fosssil fuel consumption WITHOUT BUYING AN EXPENSIVE NEW CAR (HYBRID).
    Of course, if you can find Ethanol 85 you could buy a FFV from GM or Ford (in the U.S.)for NO EXTRA MONEY and
    then run Ethanol 85 in your car! __JW}


Pure Vegetable Oil - just as you could use in the kitchen, produced from seeds or rape, and can be used in modified diesel engines.

Biodiesel - oil crops or waste cooking oils are put through a transesterification process to yield biodiesels.

Biogas - bacteria digest waste organic matter, yielding fuel gas under pressure.

Bio-ETBE - bio-ethanol is turned, through a chemical process, into ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE), which burns like ethanol, but can be used as an addition to conventional fuels without engine modifications.

Second Generation Biofuels - fuels made from cellulose-rich material currently difficult to exploit. most experts expect this to be commercially viable in 5 to 6 yrs. Expanding Ethanol production infrastructure now would accelerate bringing cellulosic ethanol to volumes required for necessary efficiency (once enzymes are produced cost effectively).