. Additionally, the amount of water used in biofuel production is also affected by the specific farming practices used. ), which scientists call biomass. University of Minnesota. Biofuel Disadvantages: In the creation of first generation biofuels, huge amounts of land are needed. Relying on produce from halfway around the globe to feed a hungry nation is a risky price to pay for widespread biofuel integration into the world's energy supplies. It takes biomass and turns it into a clean-burning fuel. While both of these additives promote rapid and hearty growth in many crops, they have a downside. (Dec. 11, 2010)http://www.burpee.com/gardening/content/gygg/growing-zone-information/growingzoneinfo.html, Carey, John et al. This undergraduate laboratory experiment educates students on the various alternative fuels that are being developed for automotive applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Add other resource costs into the equation, such as the gallons of fresh water needed to grow the plants and the amount of fertilizer needed to keep them healthy, and it becomes even harder to equate biofuel with real energy and carbon emission savings. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. Compatibility refers to the ability of a fuel to be used in existing infrastructure and equipment without modification or damage. Here at Linquip you can send inquiries to all Renewable Energy suppliers and receive quotations for free, Your email address will not be published. Alexander, C. et al. Biofuels have some advantages over their counterparts. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. Feeding aquatic organisms from such contaminated water can lead to their death, as the oxygen in these waters is reduced and toxins are introduced into it. Farmers of corn, soybeans and cotton -- all potential biofuel sources -- are increasingly planting genetically modified versions of those plants [source: United States Department of Agriculture]. This isn't the selective breeding that farmers have practiced for years; genetically modified crops are altered in the lab to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests or produce higher yields. Disadvantages of Biofuels One disadvantage of biofuels is that not all biofuels can be created equally. What is biomass? In general, biofuels can be a reliable energy source if they are produced and used in a responsible and sustainable manner. 2009. A way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases is to use biofuels around the world. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Its lubricating properties are significantly better. Some algal species contain up to 40 percent lipids by weight, which can be converted into biodiesel or synthetic petroleum. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. The simple economic system of supply and demand of biofuels increases the demand for corn, for example, and it becomes more expensive. Electro fuels are produced by storing electrical energy, and solar fuel is made from solar energy. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuel. Hundreds and even thousands of hectares of unbroken acres of one crop are an irresistible destination for plant pests; pest groups can explode uncontrollably in this tempting environment. Ethanol-production facilities use far more electricity to run than they produce in fuel. Biofuel production may decrease the pesticide pollution if done sustainably and right, especially if perennial polycultures are involved. Not every country has vast crude oil resources. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. But we must realize that nothing in life is straightforward and applicable to all situations. The production of biofuels can be more expensive than the production of fossil fuels due to the costs of growing and processing the feedstocks. This is a problem that biofuel crops, food crops, gardens, and lawns have in common all over the world. Biodiesel produces less toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases than petroleum diesel. The widespread use of biofuels in daily operations requires different storage and handling equipment, engine modifications, and adapted fuel delivery systems. This removes the need for application of chemicals and the risk of runoff and water contamination is simply lower. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. On the other end, if previously untouched natural ecosystem is transformed into a monoculture field than there is a high chance that pesticide pollution will appear and will affect the surrounding environment. The production of biofuels often leads to land use changes, such as the conversion of natural habitats to cropland. The water demands of some biofuel crops can put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not handled carefully. For the billions of people who live on only a few dollars per day, even a small increase in food prices could put their access to proper nutrition at risk. But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. 19 January 2011. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests. During initial tests of a modified strain of corn, researchers discovered that the crop, which had been engineered to fight off a moth known to prey on corn, produced pollen that could possibly kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. The generation of biofuels, a priori, represents several advantages over obtaining fossil fuels used to get fossil energy.The main advantage is that the regeneration of resources does not take millions of years as it happens with coal, oil, or natural gas.. But there are also disadvantages. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. And again, not every climate region is suitable for a high-yield crop that could produce economically viable biodiesel [source: Burpee]. This means they require more space to store the same amount of energy than fossil fuels. But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. Segregating organic waste from the garbage to generate Biogas considerably reduces wastes from landfills. Let's look at some of the drawbacks of biofuels and gain a new perspective on the fuels we may see more of in the future. Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense, Edmonton is Canada's chief oil city as well as the capital of Alberta, the province that hosts the bulk of the country's tar sands. The amount of water used to grow biofuels varies depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the farming practices used. This difference has an effect on the oils' viability as fuel. While biofuels certainly have many potential benefits, there are also a number of challenges and trade-offs associated with their production and long-term use at larger scale. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. The process is not always cost-effective: Yes, though it may pay cash to the contributors, the truth is this process needs a lot of money, time and land to set up a plant and run. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. It occupies agricultural space from other crops, which can cause many problems. The greenhouse gases bring about global warming by trapping sunlight. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, as farmers may shift from growing food crops to biofuel crops in order to take advantage of government incentives or higher prices for biofuel crops. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like When considering large scale hydropower the disadvantage causing the LEAST environmental impact would be Decreased of flow of silt and sand to natural downstream deposits Disruption of the life cycle of anadromous and endemic fish Flooding of upstream habitat Change of job sources in the area, When a mineral resource is too deep . Easier availability of biomass, its low cost, and cheaper technologies involved mean producing bioenergy is cheaper when compared to most energy sources, especially fossil fuels. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. And while biofuel is not as clean as other renewables and won't get us out of the woods when it comes to reversing the impacts of climate change, it is a reliable renewable source. Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction. Scientists sounded the alarm, and further tests by academic and industry researchers confirmed that the corn's pollen posed a threat to monarchs. Purdue Extension. Even solar energy, the long-touted saviour of the ever expanding human appetite for energy is decades away from being feasible on a large scale and without the impact that comes from manipulating toxic chemicals into PV panels.

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