Biofuels are defined as a class of renewable energy derived from living materials. Biofuel proponents believe that energy from renewable resources will put less strain on the “limited supply of fossil fuels”, which are considered “nonrenewable” resources. Since the use of fossil fuels is believed to be increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which will then increase the average global temperature, reducing the use of fossil fuels has been deemed “a good thing.”
But is reducing the use of fossil fuels really “a good thing?” Not from an economic standpoint. Fossil fuels are essentially concentrated, ancient biofuel, but let’s not dwell on that fact. Wood and animal dung are also biofuels. Burning these two biofuels has been associated with humankind since the very beginning. Their use continues in the undeveloped world to this day and has caused as much damage as it has good. Burning dung for heating and cooking in an enclosed space is more than unhealthy, it can be deadly.
Perhaps we should just consider the term “renewable.” What does it mean? The idea is that this source of energy is continually replacing itself, hence it is unlimited. In truth, that is impossible. There is no perpetual motion machine. All energy sources must be evaluated on a total basis. The “energy-out” will never exceed the “energy-in.” That’s the physics. But the idea is to get as close to that ideal as possible. That’s where economics comes into play. Maybe we can get more economical “energy-out” than the economical “energy-in.” That is the “renewable” energy idea and applies to all energy, including renewables, fossil fuels, even nuclear fusion.
Biofuel is a type of renewable energy source derived from microbial, plant, or animal materials. Examples of biofuels include ethanol (often made from corn in the United States and sugarcane in Brazil), biodiesel (sourced from vegetable oils and liquid animal fats), green diesel (derived from algae and other plant sources), and biogas (methane derived from animal manure and other digested organic material). So, let’s look at just one component of the economic energy equation, growing biofuel crops. What is the primary human-supplied component for growing crops? It is not mechanical labor. It is fertilizer. And the primary source of agricultural fertilizer today is natural gas. Of course, the mechanical labor for planting, harvesting, processing and transportation is provided by diesel from fossil fuels. If you replace diesel from fossil fuels with biodiesel, you have to add that to the “energy-in” part of the equation. That is both the economics and the physics of the energy balance.
Biofuel functions similarly to nonrenewable fossil fuels. Biofuels can be solid, liquid, or gaseous. They are most useful in the latter two forms as this makes it easier to transport, deliver, and burn cleanly. But corn and sugar cane are food for humans and livestock. Burning these as biofuel will increase the cost of food. It already has. But what about algae? Many of the world's major oil companies are now investing millions of dollars in advanced biofuel research, including Exxon Mobil Corporation. America's largest oil company is focusing on advanced biofuels that do not compete with food or water supplies, with most of its allocated funds dedicated to transforming algae and plant waste into fuel that can be used for transportation. ExxonMobil has invested more than $300 million in biofuel research over the last decade. But, despite its enthusiasm, ExxonMobil has warned that fundamental technology improvements and scientific breakthroughs will still be necessary. No kidding.
Now about that burning cleanly idea. Using biomass as a fuel produces air pollution in the form of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), particulates and other pollutants at levels above those from traditional fuel sources such as coal or natural gas in some cases (such as with indoor heating and cooking). For more about biofuels, consider my book, Why the Green New Deal is a Bad Deal for America.
Good information and well written, Martin.