Syllabus
Conservation, Growth and Development (GS3)
Source
The Hindu,14/09/2023
Content
- Biofuels are emerging as a critical avenue for the decarbonization of fossil fuels, and one of the most accessible routes to climate change mitigation.
- Biofuels could have a significant impact in key areas like lowering GHG emissions; reducing import dependency; boosting energy security; enabling circularity and delivering wider socioeconomic benefits. In addition to their energy potential, they also offer downstream applications in the form of bio-based chemicals and polymers.
Biofuel
- Any fuel that is derived from biomass—that is, plant or algae material or animal waste.
- Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
Different categories of Biofuels
Bioethanol
- Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be made from various plant materials, collectively known as “biomass.”
- Most ethanol is made from plant starches and sugars.
- The common method for converting biomass into ethanol is called fermentation.
- During fermentation, microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and yeast) metabolize plant sugars and produce ethanol.
Biodiesel
- Biodiesel is a liquid fuel produced from renewable sources, such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats and is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel.
- Biodiesel is nontoxic and biodegradable and is produced by combining alcohol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease.
- Like petroleum-derived diesel, biodiesel is used to fuel compression-ignition (diesel) engines.
Biogas
- Biogas is a gaseous biofuel that can be produced from any kind of biomass.
- Its main component is methane, and it is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of biomass.
Syngas
- Syngas, or synthesis gas, a mixture of gases composed mainly of H2 and CO, is a critical component in creating biofuels and a new alternative fuel produced from biomass.
| Sustainable Biofuels Sustainable biofuels are produced from crop residues and other wastes, with low water and GHG footprint. |
Advantages of Biofuels
- Decarbonization and emission reduction :Biofuels can deliver up to 80% Well-To- Wheel carbon emission reduction, with the potential to be even carbon-negative through integration with carbon capture technology. Biofuels are especially critical in decarbonizing long-haul transport sectors such as aviation and maritime.
- Circularity and waste management :Biofuels offer a unique way to repurpose energy from various kinds of waste including MSW(Municipal Solid Waste), agri residue, forest residue, used cooking oil and industrial waste.
- Wider socioeconomic benefits :Biofuels have the potential to transform energy access and waste management, which are both critical for developing countries with large populations. They offer vital new avenues of sustainable economic development, heralding job creation, prosperity, and improved quality of life.
- Buffer against market shocks :Biofuels could drive a significant reduction in fossil fuel dependency in the transport sector and could also aid mitigate the impact of recurrent volatilities in the oil and gas sector.
- Long-term energy security :Biofuel is a clean, reliable, sustainable energy alternative that could boost the energy security and self-sufficiency of every nation.So it provides a long term energy security.
- Downstream product applications :Biofuel production also plays a critical role in supporting industries like the chemical, pharmaceutical industry, and the food & beverages industry. Renewable methanol can be used to produce a wide range of polymers and fuels.
- Valorization of by-products:Biofuel production also generates byproducts with widespread industrial applications. Among the most prominent by-products is crude glycerin, which is obtained from the production of biodiesel.
Disadvantages of Biofuels
- Food Security issues: The production of biofuels often involves the use of food crops like corn and wheat, which can lead to a decline in food production.Moreover,the diversion of agricultural crops for biofuel production can lead to an increase in global food prices, potentially exacerbating issues of hunger and food security.
- Unsustainable Practices: Large-scale biofuel production can lead to unsustainable land use, potentially leading to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
- Groundwater depletion: Biofuel production requires significant amounts of water(eg: Crops like sugarcane consumes large amounts of water), which can lead to water scarcity and depletion of underground water table.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions:Although biofuels are often touted as a green alternative to fossil fuels, the production process can result in significant emission of Greenhouse Gases
Challenges
- Feedstock supply issues :Global biofuel prices are closely linked to developments in feedstock prices as well as crude oil prices, distribution costs and blending policies.
- Technological limitations: 1G technologies are already significantly consolidated, but 2G technology is steadily maturing. Greater investment could accelerate technological progress, but several potential technologies are jostling for limited funding and feedstock, constraining their development, deployment.
- Biofuel Investments: Investment in the biofuels sector is crucial for overcoming technology limitations and ensuring a stable supply of feedstock.
National and Global Initiatives
- National Policy on Biofuels: The policy’s objective is to reduce the import of petroleum products by fostering domestic biofuel production.
- Global Biofuels Alliance:The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair. The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels through facilitating technology advancements, intensifying utilization of sustainable biofuels, shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
- Sustainable Biofuels Consensus :It is an international initiative which calls upon governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to take decisive action to ensure the sustainable trade, production, and use of biofuels.
- Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan):It is a vital umbrella initiative of Government of India, based on the whole of Government approach and aims to convert waste to wealth towards promoting a circular economy.
- RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched RUCO initiative that will enable collection and conversion of used cooking oil to bio-diesel.
Way Forward
- R&D advancements in crop production, the use of multiple feedstocks, and increased yields must be developed and implemented to meet biorefinery needs.
- Advanced technologies must progress to attract commercial production investment.
- Biofuel adoption could be expedited further with the support of short-term policy targets and factors like higher taxation on fossil fuels, reduced price gap and better compatibility with existing engines.
- A global framework for policy coordination and dialogue among nations is crucial to ensuring consistency and collaboration in sustainable energy policies.
Reference
- https://mopng.gov.in/en/refining/about-bio-fuel
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics
- ROADMAP FOR ETHANOL BLENDING IN INDIA 2020-25
- Biofuels study report G20,2023