In current history biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol have actually become huge organization all over the world. Many countries have actually taken an eager interest in their continued manufacture and usage, consisting of developing nations such as Brazil which is viewed as a world leader in biofuel development. Even smaller nations such as the United Kingdom presently utilize around one and a half million litres of biofuel a year and objective to increase this three-fold within the next 10 years.
But wait, there's an issue.
There is however a significant issue; with the boost in popularity of biofuels as has the level of criticism increased. From the "food versus fuel" argument, links to food cost increases and impact of water resources to concerns over deforestation and loss of biodiversity there are mounting challenges for the fuel to get rid of.
But there is want to be discovered in a range of technologies broadly referred to as 2nd generation biofuels. Such fuels are produced from sustainable feedstock instead of the typically editable crops used in very first generation biofuels (sugarcane, corn etc.) thus avoiding many of the issues pointed out formerly.
Hope for the future
One such innovation is Algae Fuel, which can produce as much as 3 hundred times more oil per acre than conventional crops along with growing twenty to thirty times quicker. As if these benefits weren't significant enough it is also possible to cultivate algae on generally unusable land such as land stricken by dry spell or consisting of very high levels of saline.
Another hugely promising fuel is Cellulosic Ethanol which is merely sustain produced from non-edible parts of plants (or certainly turfs and other plants that are inedible). This fuel source shares some advantages with Algae fuel such as high per-acre efficiency but has the special advantage that no special growing is required. Cellulose is contained in practically all plants growing throughout the world.
Or should that be hope for today?
These may sound like science-fiction but the fact of the matter is that by 2008 the United States was already producing twelve million litres of fuel from cellulosic ethanol with production facilities capable for producing an extra eighty million gallons each year in development.
There is much to be delighted about in the Biofuel industry from both a company and eco-friendly point of view and continued development especially in second generation technologies appears ensured. Such fast grown represents an amazing time for alternative energy production.
To keep abreast of the current developments and market forecasts for alternative energy and biofuels it's suggested the reader accept expert biofuel market analysis.