Chapter 7 - The role of using bioalcohol fuels in sustainable development

Abstract

The history of mankind is has a close relationship with energy sources, and the contribution of these resources is crucial for the development and wellbeing of human societies. Dependence on energy sources can be traced back to several millennia, but nowadays there are a number of issues in their use beyond energy security. For the future of humanity, it is essential to look for solutions to the problems of energy supply and the preservation of the natural environment. Despite the Paris Agreement adopted in 2016, global CO2 emissions increased in 2017 and a new emission peak was projected by 2018. The troublesome emission values require more effective action to combat climate change. Reducing environmental risks requires an appropriate environmental policy. In this spirit, the European Commission has accepted a package of documents aimed at promoting Circular Economy. The purpose of Circular Economy is to profoundly transform the use of resources. The current emission trend has to be reversed, in which the use of biofuels can play a major role. The problem of replacing crude oil appears unabated in experimental and research activities. Low-carbon alcohols mixed with petrol can be an effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With the first-generation technology, ethanol can be made from plants with high sugar content (sugar cane or sugar beet) or high starch content (cereals). The most important source of ethanol production is maize in the temperate climate zone. An important question is whether environmental benefits are derived from the use of bioethanol from maize for transport. There is no clear answer to this question, and depending on the methodology used, the GHG emissions decreased or increased. One of the difficulties of the first generation of bioethanol production in Europe is ensuring predictable source of raw material. Our climate creates volatile conditions in terms of maize cultivation, with significant annual yield fluctuations. Some projections suggest that such low yields can be realized that there may be no commodity supply for the production of biofuels. Since first-generation bioethanol production alone is not able to meet climate policy aims, efforts should be made to use second- and third-generation fuels to diversify raw materials. Biomethanol produced using renewable resources shows very favorable values in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions when used as motor fuel. In the production of biomethanol, nonfood plants and organic wastes are used. There is a lot of organic waste produced during agricultural production, the treatment of which is much more expensive than of municipal waste. The waste that accompanies agricultural production is typically biomass which is suitable for biomethanol production. The industry, which considers waste as a raw material, provides opportunities for many countries to be sustainable and competitive. Several studies have shown that waste management based on circular economic principles is beneficial to society from environmental, social, and financial aspects as well. In order to increase the efficiency of the sector, new innovative methods and technologies are needed, which treat waste as an important resource.