Biofuel at a Glance:

"The fuel of the future is going to come from fruit like that sumac out by the road, or from apples, weeds, sawdust - almost
anything. There is fuel in every bit of vegetable matter that can be fermented."
- Henry Ford, 1925

What are Biofuels?

There are two primary types of biofuels: biodiesel and ethanol.

Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is made by using yeast to convert sugar into alcohol while biodiesel
is produced from vegetable oils through a process called transesterification.

A large variety of different crops can be used for the production of biofuels. In South America
sugar cane is favoured. In North America corn and soybean predominate. In the tropics palm
and recently jatropha have come into favor.

Biofuels can be used in engines nearly pure or in blends. Depending on the type of biofuels used
some minor changes to the engine may be needed. Primarily hoses and seals as biofuels are
more corrosive than petroleum based fuels.

Biofuels are much safer for the environment.They generally aim to have a carbon neutral lifecycle

meaning that when combusted the carbon released is no more than the carbon they absorbed in life. In practice however, due
to the carbon emissions associated with growing, maintaining and harvesting biofuel crops, the carbon emissions range from
60% to 80% less than fossil fuel carbon emissions. This still represents a substantial decrease in carbon emissions and is a
significant tool in the fight against global warming. They are 100% biodegradable and non toxic to the environment.

Fuel vs. Food

Recently there has been much debate about the use of biofuels derived from traditional food crops. The rising prices of biofuels
have given farmers strong incentives to cultivate biofuel feedstock crops. In the instances where this has become widespread
it has resulted in increased food prices and shortages for such staples as sugar, corn and palm oil.

This trend has caused many to focus attentions on feedstock that are not traditionally used for food such as jatropha for
biodiesel which produces a non edible oil and switchgrass for ethanol.

A Complete Replacement

Biofuels alone cannot eliminate the worlds dependence on fossil fuels. Land use for livestock and
foodcrops cannot be reduced without causing severe food shortages and price increases. At best
it is estimated that biodiesel can replace between 30% and 40% of the worlds fossil fuels
used for transportation.

New methods including GM crops, new enzymetic and chemical processes and second generation
techniques for producing biofuels are hoped to allow for easy increases in biofuel productions
without increasing land under cultivation.