Download or read book Can Biofuels Alleviate the Energy and Environmental Crisis written by Indra Neel Pulidindi and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Climate change is one of the major challenges society is facing currently. Major spheres of human activity such as health, environment, agriculture, economy, transportation and education were adversely affected because of climate change. Environmental pollution owing to the indiscriminate and ever-increasing consumption of fossil-based resources is the main factor contributing to climate change. Use of fuels produced from renewable sources like biomass cause reduction in CO2 emission and guarantee sustainable energy and a clean environment. The problems of environmental deterioration, as well as energy demands, could be alleviated by the paradigm shift to the use of biofuels from fossil fuels. Innovative strategies were recently developed for the exploitation of biomass for biofuels production. The concept of biomass itself is being understood in an unconventional sense in a way that apart from terrestrial plant resources, marine macroalgae, freshwater microalgae, industrial emissions like CO2, organic remains like glycogen are being explored as feedstock for biofuels production. Biofuel production strategies are also undergoing drastic changes like the use of solar radiation, sonochemical, microwave and accelerated electron beam irradiations to meet the fuel demand and to make the biomass conversion processes more energy- and atom-efficient and sustainable. The objective of the compilation of the book titled "Can Biofuels Alleviate The Energy & Environmental Crisis?" is to reach out to policy makers, scientists, industrialists, and students with a message as well as scientific strategies for alleviating the twin problems of energy and environmental crisis posing a threat to future generations. The book comprises of seven judiciously designed chapters focused on producing biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol, formic acid, synthesis gas, methane, and ethylene) and biochemicals (glucose, levulinic acid) using feedstock as diverse as lignocellulosic terrestrial biomass, marine macroalgae, glycogen, and CO2. Biomass is an ideal substitute to fossil mass as almost all the products derived from conventional refinery could be produced in a biorefinery using biomass as a carbon source. In addition to being sustainable, the biorefinery facilities are environmentally benign. The biomass conversion strategies proposed in this book facilitate the paradigm shift from fossil-based to biobased industries and help the proliferation of biorefinery facilities in the 21st century, offering a pathway for the alleviation of the problem of climate change.
Download or read book Biofuel Production Technologies Critical Analysis for Sustainability written by Neha Srivastava and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-03-23 with total page 349 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Production and utilization of sustainable energy toward maintaining a clean environment is a major challenge. At the same time, the continued depletion of fossil fuels and the global dependency on non-renewable fuels is a chief concern. Moreover, the long-term economic and environmental issues associated with the high utilization of fossil fuel, such as global warming, are also important, particularly in the context of the predicted increase in the global population to around 5 billion by 2050. In recent years, researchers have been investigating alternative, renewable fuels to replace fossil fuels. Of the various options, biofuels are especially attractive due to their low production costs and the fact that they are pollution free. Also known as transportation fuels, their energy is derived from biological resources or through the biological processes. Biofuels such as biohydrogen, biomethane, biogas, ethanol and butanol offer a number of advantages and can be economically produced from cellulosic biomass. As such, they can play a vital role in sustainably meeting future energy demands. Biofuels have the potential to become a global primary energy source, offering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as well as opportunities to increase economic and social development in rural communities and reduce the problems associated with waste disposal. However, low yields and lack of process technology are some of the aspects that need to be addressed. This book offers an overview of existing biofuels and the technologies to solve the problems associated with their practical implementation. Evaluating the biofuel options and discussing the opportunities and risks in relation to resources, technologies, practices, markets and policy, it provides insights into the development of economically viable bioenergy industries.
Download or read book Biofuels and Sustainability written by Kazuhiko Takeuchi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-07-13 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book presents a comprehensive analysis of biofuel use strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective using sustainability science. This interdisciplinary perspective (social science-natural science) means that the strategies and policy options proposed will have significant impacts on the economy and society alike. Biofuels are expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, revitalizing economies in agricultural communities and alleviating poverty. However, despite these anticipated benefits, international organizations such as the FAO, OECD and UN have published reports expressing concerns that biofuel promotion may lead to deforestation, water pollution and water shortages. The impacts of biofuel use are extensive, cross-sectoral and complex, and as such, comprehensive analyses are required in order to assess the extent to which biofuels can contribute to sustainable societies. Applying interdisciplinary sustainability science concepts and methodologies, the book helps to enhance the establishment of a sustainable society as well as the development of appropriate responses to a global need for urgent action on current issues related to biofuels.
Download or read book Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2008-02-09 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: National interests in greater energy independence, concurrent with favorable market forces, have driven increased production of corn-based ethanol in the United States and research into the next generation of biofuels. The trend is changing the national agricultural landscape and has raised concerns about potential impacts on the nation's water resources. To help illuminate these issues, the National Research Council held a colloquium on July 12, 2007 in Washington, DC. Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States, based in part on discussions at the colloquium, concludes that if projected future increases in use of corn for ethanol production do occur, the increase in harm to water quality could be considerable from the increases in fertilizer use, pesticide use, and soil erosion associated with growing crops such as corn. Water supply problems could also develop, both from the water needed to grow biofuels crops and water used at ethanol processing plants, especially in regions where water supplies are already overdrawn. The production of "cellulosic ethanol," derived from fibrous material such as wheat straw, native grasses, and forest trimmings is expected to have less water quality impact but cannot yet be produced on a commerical scale. To move toward a goal of reducing water impacts of biofuels, a policy bridge will likely be needed to encourage growth of new technologies, best agricultural practies, and the development of traditional and cellulosic crops that require less water and fertilizer and are optimized for fuel production.
Download or read book Environmental Management of Energy from Biofuels and Biofeedstocks written by James G. Speight and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-02-19 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most comprehensive and thorough volume on the environmental aspects of energy from biofuels and biofeedstocks Biomass is a renewable resource whose utilization has received great attention due to environmental considerations and the increasing demands of energy worldwide. Since the energy crises of the 1970s, many countries have become interested in biomass as a fuel source to expand the development of domestic and renewable energy sources, reduce the environmental impacts of energy production, provide rural prosperity for its poor farmers, and bolster a flat agricultural sector. This first volume in the Energy and the Environment series discusses the environmental impacts and social concerns of energy production in its various forms, offering comprehensive coverage of the many available biofuels. Starting with a historical overview, Environmental Management of Energy from Biomass and Biofeedstocks: Presents a full technological treatment of the processes, engineering, and applications of biofuels and biofeedstocks Describes the relevant technologies and their environmental impacts Covers the social aspects, economic aspects, and the future of biofuels Discusses a variety of biofuels and their possible use and applicability in different countries
Download or read book Environmental Economic and Policy Aspects of Biofuels written by Deepak Rajagopal and published by Now Publishers Inc. This book was released on 2008 with total page 131 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Environmental, Economic and Policy Aspects of Biofuels provides a timely summary of the current issues contributing to the policy debates on this emerging and important topic. The authors make several key conclusions: - Biofuels are diverse and evolving. The next generation of biofuels has the potential to provide improved net benefits but requires significant technological breakthroughs. - Greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits vary significantly across various types of biofuels and are dependent on market conditions and policy situation. - While biofuel improves the welfare of gasoline consumers and food producers, it has a significant negative affect on food consumers, especially the poor. - A diverse set of policies, which have been introduced or proposed, impact biofuels directly including subsidies, mandates, and regulation of carbon content of fuels. However, current policies do not provide incentives that align private and social welfare. - Much of the impact assessments of biofuels thus far are ex-ante estimates based on either optimization or equilibrium models. There is a lack of ex-post econometric analysis of the marginal impact of biofuels and biofuel policies on the economy. And the structural relationships between agriculture, the energy sector, and the environment in the context of biofuels have hardly been studied. The biofuel policy debate is likely to be an ongoing one in the near future and Environmental, Economic and Policy Aspects of Biofuels should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding this diverse and growing literature.
Download or read book The Impacts of Biofuels on the Economy Environment and Poverty written by Govinda R. Timilsina and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-05-20 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interest in biofuels began with oil shocks in the 1970’s, but the more rapid development and consumption of biofuel industry in recent years has been primarily driven by mandates, subsidies, climate change concerns, emissions targets and energy security. From 2004 to 2006, fuel ethanol grew by 26% and biodiesel grew by 172%. As biofuel production continues to expand, investments in capacity expansion and research and development have been made. The 2008 food crisis emphasized the need to re-examine biofuel consequences. Biofuels remain an important renewable energy resource to substitute for fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector, yet biofuels’ success is still uncertain. The future of biofuels in the energy supply mix relies on mitigating potential and improving the environmental gains. This book brings together leading authorities on biofuel from the World Bank to examine all of the impacts of biofuel (economic, social, environmental) within a unified framework and in a global perspective, making it of interest to academics in agricultural and environmental economics as well as industry and policy-makers.
Download or read book Sustainable Biofuels written by Ramesh C. Ray and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2021-04-08 with total page 502 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sustainable Biofuels: Opportunities and challenges, a volume in the “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series, explores the state-of-the-art in research and applied technology for the conversion of all types of biofuels. Its chapters span a broad spectrum of knowledge, from fundamentals and technical aspects to optimization, combinations, economics, and environmental aspects. They cover various facets of research, production, and commercialization of bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, biohydrogen, biobutanol, and biojet fuel. This book discusses biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion of unconventional feedstocks, including the role of biotechnology applications to achieve efficiency and competitiveness. Through case studies, techno-economic analysis and sustainability assessment, including life cycle assessment, it goes beyond technical aspects to provides actual resources for better decision-making during the development of commercially viable technology by researchers, PhD students, and practitioners in the field of bioenergy. It is also a useful resource for those in adjacent areas, such as biotechnology, industrial microbiology, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and sustainability science, who are working on solutions for the bioeconomy. The ability to compare different technologies and their outcome that this book provides is also beneficial for energy analysts, consultants, planners, and policy-makers. The “Applied Biotechnology Reviews series highlights current development and research in biotechnology-related fields, combining in single-volume works the theoretical aspects and real-world applications for better decision-making. Covers current technologies and advancements in biochemical, thermochemical, and hydrothermal conversion methods for production of various types of biofuels from conventional and nonconventional feedstock Examines biotechnology processes, including genetic engineering of microorganisms and substrates, applied to biofuel production Bridges the gap between technology development and prospects of commercialization of bioprocesses, including policy and economics of biofuel production, biofuel value chains, and how to accomplish cost-competitive results and sustainable development
Download or read book Our Energy Future written by Carla S. Jones and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2016-02-16 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Our Energy Future is an introductory textbook for a college course in energy production, alternative and renewable fuels, and related issues involved in building a sustainable energy future. Our society is consuming energy at an alarming rate as trends in energy consumption continue to rise. Jones and Mayfield explore the creation and history of fossil fuels, their impact on the environment, and how they have become critical to our society. They warn that continuing fuel-usage patterns could permanently damage our environment. Jones and Mayfield also outline how the adoption of sustainable biofuels will be key to our future energy stability. They discuss a number of renewable energy options, and then discuss different biofuel feedstocks and their potential as replacements for petroleum-based products. This book emphasizes the importance of continued scientific, agricultural, and engineering development, while outlining the political and environmental challenges that are coupled with a complete shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and biomass. Our Energy Future is an excellent, accessible resource for undergraduate students studying biofuels and bioenergy."--Provided by publisher.
Download or read book Fossil Free Fuels written by Maniruzzaman Bin A. Aziz and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2019-10-24 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many approaches have been undertaken to mitigate global climate change, including the movement away from fossil fuels. Fossil Free Fuels: Trends in Renewable Energy examines several key topics, such as the utilization of biofuels as a sustainable renewable resource, recycling and untapped waste-to-energy products, and other carbon-neutral strategies in various industries, such as the transportation, construction, and manufacturing sectors. It provides recent updates on the latest technologies, modeling, design, and technical aspects, as well as several practical case studies. The current world energy scenario is examined and various solutions to larger environmental problems are outlined in terms of the shift to more alternative energy sources. Features: Minimizes technical jargon in a straightforward style for a wider audience Discusses sustainable options for different industries, such as the use of green materials in the construction sector, biofuels for transportation, and many more Includes numerous illustrations, tables, and figures to aid in understanding This book serves as a practical reference for engineers, researchers, environmental consultants working in renewable energy industries, and students.
Download or read book The Pros and Cons of Biofuel written by Terry Allan Hicks and published by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2014-08-01 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn about the oldest energy source: biofuel, how it has evolved over time, its benefits and downfalls, and what its use means for Earths future.
Download or read book Life Cycle Analysis of Biofuel A Comparative Study of the UK and Nepal written by Dhurba Neupane and published by GRIN Verlag. This book was released on 2016-02-17 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Master's Thesis from the year 2010 in the subject Environmental Sciences, University of Teesside, language: English, abstract: Biofuels; this renewable source of energy is gaining popularity all over the world to fulfil the global energy requirements. In Europe, including the UK, biofuel is used as liquid transport fuel. However, it is not used as widely as what people estimate. Therefore, the world is facing the problems of harnessing of renewable energy resources, and there are greater concerns about the emissions produced by burning of fossil fuels, such as petroleum and coal, it’s use is unquantifiable and hampering the world’s living ecosystem. Accomplishing the ever increasing demand of energy and to mitigate the problems of climate change by reducing GHG emissions from transport fuel and to promote fuel security and reduces the imports of fuels from energy rich countries, European Union has formulated Biofuel Directive (2003/30/EC) stating that the member states will implement this policy to include at least 5.75% of biofuel in the fossil fuel and increased the recent scenarios of 7% to 20% by 2020. Supporting the directive, the UK government has formulated RTFO policy to implement to reduce the use of fossil fuel by 5% in 2010 and follow the process to obtain the renewable target. Basically, this study focuses on the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of biofuel crops as a source of biofuel, such as biodiesel and bioethanol to be used in transportation sectors to meet the renewable target by reducing the GHG emissions and imports of fossil fuel. The subject of the study also gives an overview of the comparative study of the impacts of growing biofuel crops in Nepal and in the UK on environmental and socio-economic issues, like impacts on land, water, biodiversity, and food and energy security. At the outcome of the study, will it be helpful to coin similar model to RTFO in Nepal and gives hint how the model is unfair to implement in Nepal.
Download or read book Biofuels and the Sustainability Challenge written by Aziz Elbehri and published by Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). This book was released on 2013 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels global emergence in the last two decades is met with increased concerns over climate change and sustainable development. This report addresses the core issue of biofuel sustainability of biofuels and related feedstocks, drawing from a wide range of sustainability related studies, reports, policy initiatives. The report critically examines the economic, environmental and social sustainability dimensions of biofuels and review the major certification initiatives, schemes and regulations. In doing so, the report relies on extensive review of a number of country case studies covering a broad range of current biofuel-feedstocks systems. The report analysis clearly distinguish feedstock efficiency (in terms of biofuel yields per unit of land) from sustainability, especially under limiting resource (irrigated water) or sensitive areas (carbon stocks). Also, long run economic viability depend on the future policy support, technical innovations in biofuel systems, economics of biofuel supply and demand and trade-offs between food and energy uses as well as feedstock productivity gains. Biofuels can present both advantages and risks for environmental sustainability; the latter being often difficult to measure or monitor and may conflict with economic sustainability unless great strides in productivity gains are achieved. Social sustainability is the weakest link in current biofuel certification schemes owing to intrinsic local factors and as efforts target more few negative social impacts; much less focus is placed on inclusive processes that strengthen marginal stockholders participation and benefits. Biofuel certification schemes need to be more smallholder inclusive, perhaps through policy initiatives. Finally, poor developing countries, especially with abundant land and biomass production potential, need to prioritise food security and poverty reduction. In many cases, biofuel models that encourage small scale integrated bioenergy systems may offer higher rural development impacts. FDI-induced larger-scale biofuel projects, on the other hand, may be suitable in those situations where countries have sufficient industrial capacity, besides land and biomass potential, and when these biofuel projects can be fully integrated into domestic energy strategies that do not conflict with food production potential and food security.
Download or read book Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future written by Jingzheng Ren and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-08-20 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors
Download or read book Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-01-18 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels made from algae are gaining attention as a domestic source of renewable fuel. However, with current technologies, scaling up production of algal biofuels to meet even 5 percent of U.S. transportation fuel needs could create unsustainable demands for energy, water, and nutrient resources. Continued research and development could yield innovations to address these challenges, but determining if algal biofuel is a viable fuel alternative will involve comparing the environmental, economic and social impacts of algal biofuel production and use to those associated with petroleum-based fuels and other fuel sources. Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels was produced at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Download or read book Introduction to Bioenergy written by Vaughn C. Nelson and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2017-12-19 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explore a Major Component of Renewable Energy Introduction to Bioenergy takes a look at energy from biomass (thermal energy, power, liquid fuels, and biogas) and envisions a sustainable future fueled by renewable energy. From production to conversion to heat, power, and biofuel, this book breaks down the science of bioenergy and explains the major processes for its production, conversion, and use. Covers Solar Energy, Bioenergy, and Biomass Resources The book begins with an introduction to solar energy (the source of bioenergy) and then moves on to describe bioenergy, biomass, chemical conversion, and the renewable energy processes involved. The authors cover measurement energy parameters, analysis of data, and the prediction of energy production for different bio products. They also consider the institutional, environmental, and economic concerns surrounding bioenergy. An all-inclusive resource covering a rapidly-advancing field, this book: Explores the impact of climate change and global warming on the production of biomass Describes the positive and negative effects of biomass production on ecosystems and biodiversity Illustrates the use of biomass for the production of electricity Considers the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels, biofuel production, and emerging technologies Addresses institutional and environmental issues relevant to bioenergy Discusses factors impacting the economic feasibility of renewable energy systems Introduction to Bioenergy defines major processes for the production, conversion, and use of bioenergy. A book suitable for coursework or self-study, this essential work serves students and practicing professionals in the renewable energy, environmental science, agriculture engineering, and biology fields.
Download or read book review of environmental economic and policy aspects of biofuels written by Deepak Rajagopal and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2007 with total page 109 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: The world is witnessing a sudden growth in production of biofuels, especially those suited for replacing oil like ethanol and biodiesel. This paper synthesizes what the environmental, economic, and policy literature predicts about the possible effects of these types of biofuels. Another motivation is to identify gaps in understanding and recommend areas for future work. The analysis finds three key conclusions. First, the current generation of biofuels, which is derived from food crops, is intensive in land, water, energy, and chemical inputs. Second, the environmental literature is dominated by a discussion of net carbon offset and net energy gain, while indicators relating to impact on human health, soil quality, biodiversity, water depletion, etc., have received much less attention. Third, there is a fast expanding economic and policy literature that analyzes the various effects of biofuels from both micro and macro perspectives, but there are several gaps. A bewildering array of policies - including energy, transportation, agricultural, trade, and environmental policies - is influencing the evolution of biofuels. But the policies and the level of subsidies do not reflect the marginal impact on welfare or the environment. In summary, all biofuels are not created equal. They exhibit considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity in production. The impact of biofuels will also be heterogeneous, creating winners and losers. The findings of the paper suggest the importance of the role biomass plays in rural areas of developing countries. Furthermore, the use of biomass for producing fuel for cars can affect access to energy and fodder and not just access to food.