As fossil fuels are depleting faster, the race is on to find more environmental friendly alternatives. Is it not time for the greener biofuel to completely takeover and replace the traditional fossil fuels?
Biofuel, with very less greenhouse gas emissions, has variety of sources - biofuel crops such as jatropha and pongamia yield oil that can be blended with diesel or can be used directly. Sugar mills produce ethanol from sugarcane, which can be blended with petrol.
Biofuel production from seeds is multi-way beneficial. The raw material (oil seeds) is crushed in oil mills to physically expel the oil and leave behind the oil cake, which can be used as manure.
Biofuel is also produced from waste or low value products like converting waste biomass into fuel, processing lower quality vegetable oil into biodiesel, etc.
However the food vs. fuel debate is still pending. Biofuel is being considered as a threat to food crops. Experts predict that biofuel could directly affect food supplies.
Crops like jatropha and pongamia could divert land, water and other resources away from food production. Also, there are various other issues related to biofuel production which need to be sorted out.
Will biofuel dominate fossil fuels in future? Can biofuel really help us achieve energy independence?
10 comments:
I think we would have been much more ahead of the game already, if the oil industry and the auto industry were not so "buddied" up. If all we had in mind as keeping the earth a float and not what ever is going on in the oil and automobile people's heads, then we would definitely be at least closer, to having energy independence.
If we don't convert to more Eco friendly stuff, I see only one other alternative. We will most likely revert, small towns; farmers; each person growing they're own food (and selling the surplus) that kind of thing. We probably wont know until we cross that bridge, but we should be prepared for anything. Sorry if I'm being a bit of a downer, this is just worst case scenario.
I'll stop here, I am starting to sound a bit too "Dooms day" for my liking. :)
Dear Anonymous, thanks a lot for writing your opinion.
yes, time has come to understand how important it is to make the transition to low-carbon transport fuels.
but mate, most of the biofuels that are currently distilled are from crops like corn and sugar cane. so definitely we can expect that biofuels will drive up the food prices.
wonderful presentation..sad i dunno much abt the subject..and thanks for your continuing encouragement buddy
thanks buddy 4 passing by
This article (not just a blog) is very good, Sai. I have read about Jatropha and some other bio-fuels. But did not read about the Japanese trial of the Boeing with this fuel. I have also read that it is difficult to clear this fuel from dust particles....I don't know if I am remembering correctly. But it is good to know that some concrete steps are being taken to control the pollution.
how u doing buddy?
Sai, you have clearly mentioned the name of the bio-fuel as camelina! I missed it, huh. When I read my comment again, I found the mistake. Sorry.
Anyway, something good is happening. I am learning a lot from people like you and your blogs, Sai. Thanks.
@Ramesh: Thanks for all your comments; they carry a lot of encouragement.
@Sandhyaji: Many thanks are due for both your comments. Thanks for your encouraging words. Please don't use the word sorry, there is nothing right or wrong in particular here, because we are here to share opinions and be friends.
@Sandeep: Oye, thank you yaar.
To all: My gratitude to all of you for your constant support. Your opinions give life to this blog, thank you.
hey buddy thanks for passing by..and yr encouraging comments..stay connected
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