Biodiesel production in Ethiopia: Current status and future prospects

Abstract

Due to an increase in fuel demand and efforts to lessen greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, countries around the globe are searching for different clean energy sources such as biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable energy source that appears to be an ideal solution to meet global energy needs, including in Ethiopia. Ethiopia imports liquid fuels to meet its demands, although there are initiatives to extend the nation's energy supply through the use of biofuels. However, comprehensive assessments of biodiesel's potential, challenges, and production technologies are lacking. This review aimed to explore the technological advancement, opportunities, challenges, and prospects of using biodiesel in Ethiopia. The latest data from governmental reports and several articles published in reputable journals were used as sources. Transesterification, which involves the reaction of oil/fat with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, is a standard procedure for producing biodiesel. The high biodegradability, minimal toxicity, and almost zero emissions are unique characteristics of biodiesel. Therefore, biodiesel can substitute fossil fuels in numerous applications, including transportation and internal combustion engines, without requiring major retrofits, and appears to improve the rural economic potential and environmental protection. The results of many studies have shown that the combustion features and the engine power output of biodiesel were comparable to that of fossil fuel diesel. Alternative energy sources like biodiesel should be employed to meet the growing demand mainly in the transportation sector. Ethiopia has a huge biodiesel potential due to the existence of many biofuel crops. Imports of petroleum-based fuel will be reduced if all players in the energy sector collaborate to promote the production of biodiesel from a variety of sustainable feedstocks. This can be accomplished by adopting existing biodiesel technologies, developing biodiesel regulations/policies, funding biodiesel research initiatives, etc. Overall, biodiesel could be a way better solution to supplant diesel for Ethiopia's varied demands. We believe that the findings presented in this article will highlight Ethiopia's current and future prospects for biodiesel deployment.