But we must realize that nothing in life is straightforward and applicable to all situations. One way to deal with this lies in simple diplomacy: The globalization of world commerce means that today it is easier than ever to transfer food supplies from one point of the world to another in response to increased need. Biomass is plant or animal material like wood, energy crops, and waste from forests, farms, or yards utilized as fuel to generate electricity or heat. By using biofuels as an alternative energy source, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which can help to reduce our impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable energy system that is more locally based. The use of biofuels can therefore help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy system. The oil in their grains is pressed out, filtered, and reformed to fuel by a chemical process. If farmers are incentivized to plant crops that are not well suited for the location, they may end up needing more water than any other crops would. The symbols of agricultural success in many parts of the world are endless fields of corn, soybeans or wheat, with identical crops stretching as far as the eye can see. In order for biofuels to become widely used, researchers are working on developing biofuels that are more similar in properties to fossil fuels. Biofuels are considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide emitted when they are burned is offset by the carbon dioxide that was absorbed by the plants during photosynthesis. 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. Easier availability of biomass, its low cost, and cheaper technologies involved mean producing bioenergy is cheaper when compared to most energy sources, especially fossil fuels. Biofuel can generate electricity and can be created from various waste products collected from the farming industry. Consumers living in a low-producing region would need to have biofuel trucked or piped to them, increasing both cost and the amount of emissions produced in production and transport [source: Pimentel]. Disadvantages of Waste Management: We have now seen the merits of waste management in detail. 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. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. The pure form (B100) can be employed as a fuel for vehicles but is commonly used as a diesel additive to reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in diesel vehicles. 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. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. Biofuel production boosts the demand for suitable biofuel products and strengthens the agriculture industry. Biodiesel, as the most common biofuel in Europe, is generated from oils or fats using transesterification. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. It is also important to consider the full life cycle of biofuels, from production to end-use to ensure that they are used in the most sustainable and efficient manner possible. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. Monoculture refers to the practice of growing one heavily concentrated crop, rather than the rotation of various crops through a farmer's fields over time. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. Given all the negative effects, ethanol which is derived from crops does not make economical sense as a mainstream biofuel. All rights reserved. The major disadvantage of fuel ethanol, however, is its production cost. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. Union of Concerned Scientists. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Pure ethanol and biodiesel are nontoxic and biodegradable, and if spilled, they break down into harmless substances. "Biofuels and their Impact on Food Prices." What is biomass? This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. The production of biofuels can in some cases compete with food production in several ways. And. If biofuels are obtained from sustainable farming of reclaimed lands, their production may be much less polluting in terms of not degrading land or freshwater resources compared to fossil fuels. Biofuels Disadvantages There are some complicating aspects about disadvantages of biofuels that we should look at. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. Land use change leads to the loss of biodiversity, especially in many places where native ecosystems were previously untouched, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions from the conversion of carbon-rich ecosystems. Less carbon emissions . Land use for biofuels may not cause a severe shortage of food; however, it will put pressure on the current increase of crops. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. In the United States the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the use of 136 billion litres (36 billion gallons) of biofuels annually by 2022, more than a sixfold increase over 2006 production levels. . Furthermore, the burning of coal and oil raises the temperature and warms the planet. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." Partial combustion is a fuel-burning with insufficient oxygen to convert the biomass entirely to carbon dioxide and water. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The ragged stripes stretching from east to west are growing zones: regions where water supply, temperature and sunlight make hospitable climates for certain types of plants. These factors are mainly taken into account under the section of disadvantages and will help you understand the complexity of the situation when it comes to finding new energy sources that would replace fossil fuels entirely. In recent years, biofuel development and use has risen significantly. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. This lessens the risk of respiratory illnesses due to reduced air pollution. We are working hard to improve our content. Adjunct Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota. Biofuels are made from a wide range of materials. A study in 2005 showed that using available farming and production technologies, from 27 to 118 percent more energy is needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy existing in it. They are found in liquid, solid or gas states. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. By being renewable, they are a type of fuel that could potentially support sustainable development by promoting the use of renewable energy and reducing our impact on the environment. 1 Feb. 2011. List of Disadvantages of Algae Biofuel. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. "Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower." Biomass energy comes from organic materials, such as plants, so that is why it receives classification as a renewable source of energy. At the moment, biofuels are not compatible with all types of vehicles and equipment. The development of a biofuels industry can have both positive and negative economic impacts, depending on the specific circumstances. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. Biofuel Disadvantages: In the creation of first generation biofuels, huge amounts of land are needed. Additionally, the grass mix actually helps to offset carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unlike the first-generation ethanol biofuel produced from food crops, second-generation cellulosic ethanol is derived from low-value biomass that possesses a high cellulose content, including wood chips, crop residues, and municipal waste. As an alternative source of energy obtained from renewable and biological material, these fuels can be produced using waste materials. Feeding aquatic organisms from such contaminated water can lead to their death, as the oxygen in these waters is reduced and toxins are introduced into it. Some algal species contain up to 40 percent lipids by weight, which can be converted into biodiesel or synthetic petroleum. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. Nevertheless, in 2012 Edmonton will host a chemical plant owned by Enerkem that will turn garbage into 36 million liters of ethanol and methanol per year. As an alternative to landfills, incineration offers the following advantages: #1 Far more efficient use of space. Researchers are investigating ways to genetically engineer less thirsty crops, and carefully planning what biofuel crops to plant in a given region can mitigate this problem [source: Lau]. Researchers found that the crop engineered to fight off a moth known as prey on corn created pollen that could kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. With the removal of impurities from biogas, biomethane is produced. 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]. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. For example, it is estimated that growing one hectare of corn for biofuels takes between 3,000 and 5,000 cubic meters of water per year. However, in terms of cost, the overall benefits of using biofuels are much higher. 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. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . It leads to biodiversity do to the fact that a large amount of arable land is required to grow these crops and could see some natural habitats destroyed including rainforests 2. While the advantages of biomass energy are plenty, there are also some shortcomings, including: 1. So, extensive production of biofuel is a negative-sum game. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but some scientists argue that widespread biofuel production is a negative-sum game: Producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel, they argue, requires the energy equivalent to several gallons' worth of petroleum fuel [source: Pimentel]. Lower carbon emissions make them a safer alternative to preserve atmospheric quality and lower air pollution. In the United States ethanol biofuel is made primarily from corn (maize) grain, and it is typically blended with gasoline to produce gasohol, a fuel that is 10 percent ethanol. Biofuel crops are no different from petunias or peppers in this regard. Enerkem takes the "fluff" of municipal solid wastethe plastics, textiles and wood that isn't recycled or the leftovers of agriculture or forestrygasifies it and, using catalysts and water, transforms the gas via multiple chemical steps into ethanol or other products. Unfortunately, that image is also a sign of monoculture, an agricultural problem that could conceivably get much worse due to biofuels. It isn't as effective a fuel as traditional gasoline. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. The amount of vegetable oil available in an acre of crops can vary widely, from 18 gallons per acre for corn to 635 gallons for oil palm [source: Journey to Forever]. Biofuel and fertiliser can be made from putrefying gasses emitted by rotting food, in specialist containers called anaeorbic digestors. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuel. Another type of biofuel is biodiesel. First, a brief introduction to biofuels is essential. But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Ignorance Conclusion November 2007. High Cost of Production Though there are many reasons to want to use biofuels, they do have a very high cost of production and are too expensive to produce, especially considering current market conditions. Purdue Extension. Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense, Edmonton is Canada's chief oil city as well as the capital of Alberta, the province that hosts the bulk of the country's tar sands. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The cost of biofuel production can vary depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the specific technologies used. Biofuels have some advantages over their counterparts. Less garbage in landfills. Studies show that biofuels decrease greenhouse gases by up to 65 percent. March 2005. In general, biofuels can be a reliable energy source if they are produced and used in a responsible and sustainable manner. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Add other resource costs into the equation, such as the gallons of fresh water needed to grow the plants and the amount of fertilizer needed to keep them healthy, and it becomes even harder to equate biofuel with real energy and carbon emission savings. But there's another complication that arises with this selection. As an alternative source of energy, they also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing or emitting negative effects that come with the use of this polluting and limited source that has been powering our economies since the industrial revolution but has also brought about increased pollution levels and emissions of greenhouse gases. Biofuel production using food crops such as corn, soybeans and sorghum has the potential to alter drastically the world's access to affordable food. If more people turn to biofuels, a country can diminish its dependence on fossil fuels. But while different crops can become biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can vary greatly in its ability to produce power. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.environmentmagazine.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/November%202007/Naylor-Nov07-full.html, Pimentel, David and Tad W. Patzek. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. There are several different types of biofuels: liquid biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel; solid biofuels like wood pellets, fuelwood, or animals waste; and biogas like landfill gas. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. 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. Biofuel Disadvantage : Environmental Impact. This allows the engine to run for longer periods with less maintenance and reduces overall pollution check costs. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. Disadvantages of Biofuels. Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. Biofuels are also used with success for heating buildings. The production and use of biofuels generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Industry researchers had found an answer in palm oil, a relatively easy-to-produce biofuel source. To meet the increasing demand for biofuels, farmers may convert natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands, into croplands. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. But in much the same way that oranges will never be a cash crop in Alaska, there will always be some regions that simply can't support large-scale production of biofuel-rich crops. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. Certain crops will grow better in certain regions and may not grow at all in others. See also carbon sequestration. Whereas oil is a finite resource and comes from unique materials, biofuels can be produced from a broad variety of ingredients, including crop waste, manure, and other by-products. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. April 14, 2009. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. Careful fertilizer application can help prevent widespread pollution problems, but expanding biofuel production to meet the world's demand opens the door for more mistakes in this realm. Updates? Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. Although current gas reservoirs will remain available for many years, they will deplete in anot-too-distant future. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? 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. But in other regions, the same plants would be impossible -- or extremely costly -- to grow. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University. The water demands of some biofuel crops can put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not handled carefully. An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas are not efficient. "Nature has not given us that selectivity to shift syngas to ethanol," notes chemical engineer Chornet, who started Enerkem in 2000 to make fuel from forestry residues, inspired by his father on Spain's island of Majorca, who made electricity by burning wood waste from his sawmill in the 1930s. 2009. They produce industrial pollution. This may involve the use of advanced technologies. This lack of compatibility is one of the reasons that biofuels have not been widely adopted as a replacement for fossil fuels. Turning garbage into fuel is potentially an answer to two pressing problemsdiminishing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and an alternative to burying trash in landfills. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22428/page1/, Mellon, Margaret and Jane Rissler. Disadvantages of Biomass Energy This is an ethanol refinery. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. After all, a better harvest would reduce prices and ensure there's enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and fuel the world, right? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Ethanol-production facilities use far more electricity to run than they produce in fuel. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. The green biomass from these grasses can be harvested regularly for the use as a biofuel. 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. This can lead to food insecurity in local communities and increase in food prices. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. However, other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be low-input crops and need less pesticides. #1 Land use changes and land grabbing Your email address will not be published. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. Easy Guide to Cooling Tower Efficiency & How To Increase it, Parts of Boiler and Their Function in the Boilers, Types of Alternator: Features, Advantages, and Vast Usage, Ball Valve Parts: An Easy-to-Understand Guide (2022 Updated). Moisture is more likely to be absorbed by biofuels than fossil diesel, which causes problems in cold weather. Biomass energy production takes a lot of space, money, and effort 6. The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. Because biomass technically can be used directly as a fuel, sometimes the terms biomass and biofuel are used interchangeably. As of now, the interest and capital investment being put into biofuel production is fairly low, but it can match demand. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like When considering large scale hydropower the disadvantage causing the LEAST environmental impact would be Decreased of flow of silt and sand to natural downstream deposits Disruption of the life cycle of anadromous and endemic fish Flooding of upstream habitat Change of job sources in the area, When a mineral resource is too deep . However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. 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 development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. Also, It increases microbial growth in the engine, making the engine filters clogged. The production cost per liter of ethanol is still high compared . 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. While the first is a bit beyond the control of biofuel producers, the second is at the core of a potentially serious drawback of plant-based fuels: The water demands of some biofuel-producing crops could put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not managed wisely. You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. and B.P. Converting from one fuel to the other, in some cases, needs a set of new injectors, gaskets, and fuel lines. A pig farmer, for example, may have to pay a few extra dollars per bushel to buy corn to feed his livestock. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Many of the studies show that the machinery used to cultivate crops emits large quantities of carbon emissions. 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). 1. This difference affects the viability of the oil as fuel. Most of the waste generated worldwide is biodegradable. Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. The second generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulosic, woody biomass, or agricultural waste. Discover world-changing science. Biological source of energy can be produced in many cases from locally available resources, which in turn decreases our reliance on imported fossil fuels that are even becoming rarer. But in cases that seem as much science fiction as they are scientific fact, genetically modified crops have accidentally developed unintended -- and sometimes dangerous -- traits. "10 Disadvantages of Biofuels" Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 100% Biodiesel is actually just as biodegradable as sugar and ten times less toxic when compared with table salt. Technical Challenges Perhaps the simplest drawback of biofuels is that it is not petroleum-based fuel so that they will work differently in engines developed for petroleum-based fuel. 10 Disadvantages of Biofuels By: Matt Cunningham Biofuels, made from crops such as corn, can have negative economic and environmental effects, as well as positive ones. Advanced gasification works by thermochemically transforming waste feedstocks using temperatures in excess of 700 and a highly controlled supply of oxygen or steam without using combustion. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. And again, not every climate region is suitable for a high-yield crop that could produce economically viable biodiesel [source: Burpee]. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. It may cause food scarcity because of the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for Biofuel production 3. These emissions include carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels during the production process and nitrous oxide from soil that has been treated with nitrogen fertilizer. The penalty for the convenience of not annotating object lifetime manually in the source code is overhead, often leading to decreased or . "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops -- Recent Experiences." Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). The pure form of ethanol (E100) can be used as a fuel for vehicles, but it is usually applied as an additive to gasoline to increase octane and enhance vehicle emissions. 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. This can limit the scale of biofuel production and make it more vulnerable to disruptions such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations. Another challenge is the limited energy density of biofuels. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html, Naylor, Rosamond L. et al. Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. The main disadvantage to using corn crops for biofuel production is the effect it would have on food crops and prices around the world. PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. The development of a biofuels industry has great potential to stimulate economic development in rural areas with less job possibilities by creating new markets for crops and other agricultural products. "Essentially, we intersect [with the waste] before it goes to the landfill, where it would just contribute to the methane gas already coming from there," says Ineos business manager, Dan Cummings. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. Required fields are marked *. The amount of water used to grow biofuels varies depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the farming practices used. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects.
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