Biofuels are not necessarily cheaper to produce compared to fossil fuels.
In recent years, European biofuels have been more expensive than fossil fuels due to the increasing prices of feedstocks such as cereals, vegetable oils, used cooking oil, and animal fats.
Despite the skyrocketing prices of fossil fuels, the price difference between biofuels and fossil fuels has only become larger.
Are Biofuels Cheaper to Produce? 5 Key Factors to Consider
1. Efficiency of Biofuel Production
Biofuels obtained from biomass are not considered as efficient as fossil fuels.
Sometimes, it requires more energy to burn the biomass components than it produces.
To increase the efficiency and extent of biofuels, they are often blended with other fuels such as diesel and petrol.
2. Environmental Impact
The conversion process of biomass energy releases harmful gases such as methane, which is a significant contributor to global warming.
Biofuel production also produces CO2, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other particle pollutants, which can contribute to smog and pollution if not properly managed.
3. Sustainability Concerns
The sustainability of producing fuels and chemical products from biomass has been a subject of debate.
Concerns have been raised regarding the sustainability of current bioethanol production, which is based on starch and sugar cultivation.
Limited supplies of these crops may lead to bioethanol production competing with food production.
4. Cost of Conversion
Bio-oil, derived from biomass, can be used as a substitute for fossil fuel in heating, electricity generation, and transportation.
However, the cost of converting corn stover to bio-oil via fast pyrolysis and upgrading it to gasoline and diesel fuel at a large-capacity refinery is estimated to be between $3 and $4 per gallon.
5. Transportation Costs
While biomass-derived liquids like ethanol and bio-oils can be produced at large, central facilities near the biomass source to take advantage of economies of scale, the cost of transporting the solid biomass feedstock can still be significant.
However, with some upgrading, the high energy density of these liquids allows for relatively low-cost transportation to distributed refueling stations, semi-central production facilities, or stationary power sites for reforming to hydrogen.
Continue exploring, consult our experts
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Together, let's make biofuels a viable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
