Focus on... Biofuels
Biofuels, including bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas, are renewable fuels generally produced from agricultural crops or organic matter such as livestock waste. In this edition of Focus on, we examine the case for and against existing mainstream biofuel technologies - and highlight some exciting alternatives. With rising oil prices, the debate over the viability of biofuels as an energy source for the future has been heating up. Increasing pressure on water resources, reduction in food production and loss of biodiversity are three objections to biofuel crops that have been cited in recent months. While these concerns must be addressed, the image of vast biofuel plantations causing habitat loss and environmental degradation is not the only vision on offer. Creating a viable biofuel industry, however, takes time and investment and these fuels need to be environmentally and economically sustainable if they are to provide a long-term option. Can biofuel crops with a bad reputation revive themselves - and what are the most compelling options for the future?
Biofuels: silver bullet or fool's gold?
Tight regulation of biofuel production will be needed if the poor and the environment are not to be sacrificed in the race to fuel the future...
Fish oil and biodiesel from fish processing waste provides a logical source of energy in remote Alaskan communities with no access to power from the national grid...
Biogas technology is not new to Nepal, having been available for around 35 years. But as a result of a new programme, increasing numbers of farmers in Nepal, Rwanda and China are enjoying the benefits of biogas...
Brew your own: Argentina's micro-refinery
A new design of miniature biodiesel refinery allows Argentinean farmers to make their own fuel. But there are concerns over the ambitious new law for biofuels and its potential impact on biodiversity and rural livelihoods...
Coconuts - power for the Pacific
New technologies for extracting coconut oil, and innovations in engine design are making coconut oil a viable source of power for Pacific communities...
Palm oil: deforestation diesel?
Although palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia is projected to increase dramatically in the next few decades, there are still concerns about the environmental sustainability of expansion of the industry - despite sustainable approaches led by initiatives such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil...
Better management of wood and wastes
Wood fuel gathering and charcoal production contribute to deforestation, combined with poor resource management and lack of property rights. Technologies have been developed to improve fuel efficiency and utilize agricultural waste, effectively reducing pressure on wood fuels...
One of sweet sorghum's most attractive assets is that it can be used to produce ethanol - the world's largest fuel additive - whilst still meeting the food, feed and fodder needs of smallscale farmers...
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1st November 2006 |
