Biofuels: Potential, Current Issues and Future Trends

2020

Energy plays a vital role in the economic growth of any country. The human population is anticipated to surpass 9 billion by 2050 and this will also increase the utilization of Petroleum Oil. Biofuels have emerged as an ideal choice to meet these requirements. Huge investments in research and subsidies for production are the rule in most of the developed countries. All over the world, governments have initiated the use of alternative sources of energy for ensuring energy security, generating employment, and mitigating CO​2 emissions. Similarly, liquid biofuels are of particular interest because of the vast ​infrastructure​ already in place to use them, especially for transportation. The ​liquid​ biofuel in greatest production is ethanol, ​biodiesel​, methane​ gas and ​biogas​. These all kind of biofuels are playing a crucial role in reducing the use of natural petroleum resources. Finally, we see how biofuels investment enhances growth and poverty reduction despite some displacement...

International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology -IJRASET, 2020

Biofuels are produced by biological materials like agriculture residues, fruit and vegetables waste, vegetable oils. Biofuels includes bioethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol, biogas and biohydrogen. 1st generation biofuels include the ones which are produced from food crops, 2nd generation biofuels are produced from lignocellulose materials and third generation biofuels are produced from algae. India is the 7th largest producer of biofuels, with the increase in production every year. India is currently working on biofuel policy 2018 to sustain in the field of biofuel and it is aiming to reduce the import of crude oil up to 10% by the year 2022. The sustainable production of biofuel is essential for country's economic growth and to reduce the impact of global warming.

2015

Economic development in India has raised millions of people out of poverty and brought about the modernization of society. Economic ambition though has not been reached without costs. India has become more reliant of imports of energy which affects energy security. Pollution from industry, transport and traditional cook stoves affects air quality and is increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and contributing to climate change. . India initiated bio-fuel production nearly a decade ago to reduce its dependence on imported oil and thus improve energy security and is now one of the largest producers of Jatropha oil. The country began 5% ethanol blending (E5) pilot program in 2001 and formulated the National Mission on Biodiesel in 2003 to achieve 20% biodiesel blends by 2011–2012 (Government of India, 2002, 2003). Similar to many countries around the world, India's biofuel programs experienced setbacks, primarily because of supply shortages and global concerns over food security. ...

A country of billion population and having seen a sustained and rapid economic expansion in the last decade India's energy demand will see a quantum 40 percent growth in the next ten years. India, like many other developing countries, is a net importer of energy. More than 25 percent of primary energy needs are being met through imports mainly in the form of crude oil and natural gas. Biofuels as a domestic and renewable energy source, can significantly reduce India's dependence on foreign oil, can minimize the environmental threat caused by the fossil fuels and it is the best ever alternate in securing the energy needs of the country. The other advantage is in meeting rural energisation and empowerment of village community through enhanced livelihood opportunities and thus controlling migration.

Current Science, 2016

India today, more than ever before, needs to deploy technologies that are able to convert the 'waste' generated in the country to transportation fuels, as also to chemicals and materials. Aimed at reduction of petroleum crude-oil imports and reduction of green house gas emissions, these technologies will need to be highly India specific due to the peculiar nature in which the wastes, e.g. agricultural waste and municipal waste, present themselves across our country. The need therefore transforms to a situation wherein we need the new generation biofuel technologies to be 'made in India' for a 'swachh bharat' and in a way that adds value to the waste and hence becomes a path to generation of new enterprises in line with the 'start-up India' concept. It is however important, that the country is careful in making a judicious choice of technologies that are truly sustainable and products that are truly 'green'.

Low Carbon Society (LCS) scenarios envisage reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions to 50% by 2050 compared to the 2005, while meeting energy service demands through proposing combinations of technological and social innovations based on favorable socio-economic future visions. The base case trajectory shows that carbon-dioxide emission from India will reach 6.6 Billion tCO2 in 2050, around five times of 2005 number. In India, 90% of the energy demand for the transportation sector is for oil. The paper emphasise the importance of liquid biofuels for fulfilling the energy and development requirements of the country as well as achieving a low carbon society scenario. The International Energy Outlook has projected that by 2030, India will require at least five million barrels of oil a day. The three major benefits of bio-fuels are-reduced greenhouse gas emissions, push to the rural economy, and reduction in energy dependence. The potential scale of biofuel production is large in India given the 60 million hectares of wasteland. Some important policy issues related to biofuels development in India are--energy security, investment by major players, rural employment generation, diversifying feedstock for addressing land and water scarcity concerns, and food versus fuel debate. The paper suggests a road-map which indicates steps needed to be taken in India for achieving a bio-fuel pushed low carbon society. The road map includes immediate allocation of at least 20 million hectares of wasteland for bio-diesel crops, involving participation of private sector petroleum producers, phasing out of old public transport vehicles and replacing them with completely bio-diesel run vehicles, and developing CDM projects for financing and managing bio-fuel plantations.