Dealing with the ILUC risk of biofuel production for the energy transition

Minimizing the emissions produced during the processing of biofuel, one aim is to reduce or completely replace the amount of the required fossil fuels used for internal process energy. For the transition of process energy from fossil to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, the energy demand of biomass processing must be adjustable to the fluctuating electricity supply. The flexible adjustment of a system's power demand to follow the current power generation is commonly referred to as demand side management (DSM). This contribution shows the results of a study on the implementation of DSM in biofuel biorefineries. By identifying reference concepts that could represent biofuel production plants, the specific mass and energy consumption for the individual process steps in these reference concepts was analyzed through a literature study. The annual throughput and energy consumption of process steps in biofuel production could then be calculated, enabling the identification of the most energy‐consuming process steps. Subsequently, possible flexible operating load ranges of the respective process steps in biofuel production were identified. These findings allowed an assessment of the potential for different process units of biorefinery systems concerning the quantitative adaptability of the electricity load – the theoretical DSM potential. An approximate theoretical DSM potential of 146 MW has been identified for biofuel production in Germany. This cumulated theoretical DSM potential in biofuel production was compared to that of other industrial processes, demonstrating the magnitude and importance of the implementation of DSM in biofuel production. © 2022 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

This chapter examines the process of technological leapfrogging—measured in terms of innovation capability accumulation—and the underlying learning strategies in the Brazilian bioethanol industry, and its consequent contribution to the country’s energy transition. Through an effective technological leapfrogging process, Brazil was propelled towards being the world leader in production, technological innovation, and large-scale use of low-carbon biofuel, based on sugarcane bioethanol. The chapter analyses the deliberate qualitative changes in the different learning processes and mechanisms needed to support effective technological leapfrogging. These learning efforts involved a combination of initiatives from different components of the sectoral system, such as producing firms, suppliers, lead users, universities, and research institutes. There was also a convergence of the private sector and government efforts around a common objective.

Many of the more developed countries and other members of the United Nations organization are already working hard on energy transition issues, which is nothing more than the independence of fossil energy sources and the technological foray into clean energy sources. This independence is generally achieved by replacing conventional energy sources with alternative renewable sources, and because of this, it is also necessary to adapt or replace systems using these conventional sources with systems using alternative sources. In the United States of America, they have set to work seeking to reduce dependence on oil and increasing the production of natural gas and biofuel, which will save eighteen hundred barrels of oil. In England, decarbonization and energy efficiency increase plans are carried out that proposes an 80% reduction in emissions. Likewise, efforts are made in the European Union to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as CO2 capture and nuclear energy generation, as well as cost reductions of all renewable energies of up to 53%. For its part, China represents almost half of the world's investment in renewable energy in something they call the energy revolution, despite the fact that it has also been a major importer of oil. In Latin America, Brazil is aiming at decarbonization by designing adequate mechanisms and policies for sustained development in the use of renewable energy sources, in addition to increasing the use of solar electric power generation sources, among others. In this paper, you can find the efforts made and projections on energy transition in some countries.Keywords: Energy transition, Consumption Reduction, Energy Efficiency, Decarbonization, Renewable Sources.JEL Classifications: L78, L90, O31, Q20DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.10116

The rise and fall of foreign private investment in the jatropha biofuel value chain in Ghana

A vision of renewable thermal technologies for drying, biofuels production and industrial waste, gas or water recovery

Despite advances in biofuel production and biomass processing technologies, biorefineries still experience commercialization issues. When costs exceed revenues, their long-term economic sustainability is threatened. Although integrated biorefineries have significant global potential due to process integration and product co-generation, it is crucial that they generate a positive net return, thereby incentivizing their continual operation. Nonetheless, research and development into new system designs and process integration are required to address current biorefinery inefficiencies. The integration of Bitcoin mining into biorefineries represents an innovative approach to diversify revenue streams and potentially offset costs, ensuring the economic viability and commercial success of biorefineries. When using bio-H2, a total of 3904 sats/kg fuel can be obtained as opposed to 537 sats/kg fuel when using syngas. Bitcoin, whether produced onsite or not, is an accretive asset that can offset the sales price of other produced biochemicals and biomaterials, thereby making biorefineries more competitive at offering their products. Collaborations with policy makers and industry stakeholders will be essential to address regulatory challenges and develop supportive frameworks for widespread implementation. Over time, the integration of Bitcoin mining in biorefineries could transform the financial dynamics of the bio-based products market, making them more affordable and accessible whilst pushing towards sustainable development and energy transition.

What is green finance, after all? – Exploring definitions and their implications under the Brazilian biofuel policy (RenovaBio)

Energy transition is crucial for climate change mitigation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and has been a key government focus in Colombia since 2022, which must carefully consider its energy roadmap. This study evaluates three potential scenarios for achieving nearly 100% renewable energy by 2035: replacing fossil fuels with biofuels, using hydrogen for transport and industrial heat, and relying entirely on renewable electricity. This paper discusses these scenarios’ technical, economic, and social challenges, including the need for substantial investments in renewable energy technologies and energy storage systems to replace fossil fuels. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing energy security, environmental concerns, and economic growth while addressing social priorities such as poverty eradication and access to healthcare and education. The results show that while the Colombian government’s energy transition goals are commendable, a rapid energy transition requires 4 to 8 times the government’s projected 34 billion USD investment, making it economically unfeasible. Notably, focusing on wind, photovoltaic, and green hydrogen systems, which need storage, is too costly. Furthermore, replacing fossil fuels in transport is impractical, though increasing biofuel production could partially substitute fossil fuels. Less energy-intensive alternatives like trains and waterway transport should be considered to reduce energy demand and carbon footprint.

Indonesia is an agrarian country that has a rich bioenergy potency in liquid (biodiesel, bioethanol). The Government of Indonesia (GoI) has set the target to achieve 23% of renewable energy utilization into the national energy mix by 2025. In addition, the GoI also aims to increase the production of biofuel to 7.21 million kilolitres by 2019. Theoretically, biogas technology will be a strategic measure in achieving the target, however, at the moment the biogas technology market in Indonesia is still in a nascent state, especially for the direct utilization of biogas for electricity production. Alternatively, biogas provides Indonesia with a promising source of energy, which can be injected directly into natural gas grids and hitchhike existing distribution infrastructure, resulting in reduced costs along the production-distribution pipeline. For this reason, biomethane has been the focus of some developing countries (e.g Argentina, Republic of South Africa) in moving toward energy transition. This paper examines the state of the biogas market in Indonesia using literature review. The status of natural gas is mapped out through its available potential and the existing initiation of national programs related to biogas. Finally, the study provides recommendations on how biogas technology could accelerate the energy transition in Indonesia.

Chapter 2 - Technology, policy, and institutional options

Biofuel provides a globally significant opportunity to reduce fossil fuel dependence; however, its sustainability can only be meaningfully explored for individual cases. It depends on multiple considerations including: life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, air quality impacts, food versus fuel trade‐offs, biodiversity impacts of land use change and socio‐economic impacts of energy transitions. One solution that may address many of these issues is local production of biofuel on non‐agricultural land. Urban areas drive global change, for example, they are responsible for 70% of global energy use, but are largely ignored in their resource production potential; however, underused urban greenspaces could be utilized for biofuel production near the point of consumption. This could avoid food versus fuel land conflicts in agricultural land and long‐distance transport costs, provide ecosystem service benefits to urban dwellers and increase the sustainability and resilience of cities and towns. Here, we use a Geographic Information System to identify urban greenspaces suitable for biofuel production, using exclusion criteria, in 10 UK cities. We then model production potential of three different biofuels: Miscanthus grass, short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and SRC poplar, within the greenspaces identified and extrapolate up to a UK‐scale. We demonstrate that approximately 10% of urban greenspace (3% of built‐up land) is potentially suitable for biofuel production. We estimate the potential of this to meet energy demand through heat generation, electricity and combined heat and power (CHP) operations. Our findings show that, if fully utilized, urban biofuel production could meet nearly a fifth of demand for biomass in CHP systems in the United Kingdom's climate compatible energy scenarios by 2030, with potentially similar implications for other comparable countries and regions.

Biofuels are increasingly important renewable resources in the world’s energy matrix that have challenged the scientific community as well as small and large farmers to develop alternatives to fossil fuels in order to achieve the aims of energy transition. In particular, Brazil’s proven competitiveness in agribusiness together with its rich biodiversity put the country in a key position in the biofuels market. The semiarid Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, an exclusive biome rich in many oilseed species suitable for potential energy purposes, is of particular interest in this field. Nowadays, soybeans are the main feedstock used for the production of biodiesel, but, due to the increasing demand for biofuels, the search for alternative sources of oil from tropical flora with high productivity is crucial. Under this premise, this systematic review focuses on mapping Caatinga’s vegetable oil crops that could be used as alternative raw materials for biofuels’ production in Brazil, in addition to traditional soybeans and sugarcane. To gain more detailed insight into these matrices, their main properties, including oil content, fatty acid profile and physicochemical properties, are discussed. Moreover, an overview is provided of processes to synthesize different types of biofuels, particularly biodiesel and aviation biokerosene, including the routes employing homogeneous, enzymatic and mainly heterogeneous catalysts. Finally, future prospects and challenges for renewable biofuels and the Caatinga biome are addressed.

The development of microalgal biofuels is of significant importance in advancing the energy transition, alleviating food pressure, preserving the natural environment, and addressing climate change. Numerous countries and regions across the globe have conducted extensive research and strategic planning on microalgal bioenergy, investing significant funds and manpower into this field. However, the microalgae biofuel industry has faced a downturn due to the constraints of high costs. In the past decade, with the development of new strains, technologies, and equipment, the feasibility of large-scale production of microalgae biofuel should be re-evaluated. Here, we have gathered research results from the past decade regarding microalgae biofuel production, providing insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by this industry from the perspectives of microalgae selection, modification, and cultivation. In this review, we suggest that highly adaptable microalgae are the preferred choice for large-scale biofuel production, especially strains that can utilize high concentrations of inorganic carbon sources and possess stress resistance. The use of omics technologies and genetic editing has greatly enhanced lipid accumulation in microalgae. However, the associated risks have constrained the feasibility of large-scale outdoor cultivation. Therefore, the relatively controllable cultivation method of photobioreactors (PBRs) has made it the mainstream approach for microalgae biofuel production. Moreover, adjusting the performance and parameters of PBRs can also enhance lipid accumulation in microalgae. In the future, given the relentless escalation in demand for sustainable energy sources, microalgae biofuels should be deemed a pivotal constituent of national energy planning, particularly in the case of China. The advancement of synthetic biology helps reduce the risks associated with genetically modified (GM) microalgae and enhances the economic viability of their biofuel production.

Thanks to the allocation methods, i.e., the division of the total GHG emissions between each of the products generated in the production of biofuels, it is possible to reduce the emissions of these gases by up to 35% in relation to the production and combustion of fuels derived from crude oil. As part of this study, the biodiesel production process was analyzed in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the basis of the obtained results, the key factors influencing the emissions level of the biodiesel production process were identified. In order to assess the sensitivity of the results of the adopted allocation method, this study included calculations of GHG emissions with an allocation method based on mass, energy, and financial shares. The article reviews recent advances that have the potential to enable a sustainable energy transition, a green economy, and carbon neutrality in the biofuels sector. The paper shows that the technology used for the production of biodiesel is of great importance for sustainable development. The possibility of using renewable raw materials for the production of fuels leads to a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels and lower emission of pollutants. It showed that during the combustion of biodiesel, the percentages of released gas components, with the exception of nitrogen oxides, which increased by 13%, were significantly lower: CO2—78%, CO—43%, SO2—100%, PM10—32%, and volatile hydrocarbons—63%. Moreover, it was found that biodiesel undergoes five times faster biodegradation in the environment than diesel oil.

Biofuels and bioenergy production are increasingly being viewed as viable alternatives to conventional energy sources because of their renewable nature and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waste products, lignocellulosic materials, and agricultural residues are some of the feedstocks that can be used to create biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas. The production of biofuels not only promotes sustainable energy but also addresses environmental problems. This review article explores the challenges posed by dependence on non-sustainable resources and the environmental benefits of renewable energy sources. It provides a detailed examination of the advancements, possibilities, and obstacles linked to biofuels and bioenergy. It outlines the harmful effects of prolonged fossil fuel use on the environment, including soil degradation, air and water contamination, and climate change, highlighting the critical necessity to shift towards renewable energy alternatives. The analysis evaluates the socioeconomic effects of bioenergy and its capacity to enhance food and energy security, generate employment, and boost rural economies. Nevertheless, it also recognizes important obstacles that need to be overcome for wider adoption, competition with food crops, issues related to water consumption, and regulatory constraints. It explores the potential of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and battery electric vehicles as replacements for conventional vehicles that rely on fossil fuels. It emphasizes the need to explore alternative feedstock sources and implement next-generation conversion processes prioritising environmental sustainability by incorporating recent advancements in machine intelligence (MI), including machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. The study dedicates considerable effort to exploring the global regulatory and policy landscape, including how various nations promote bioenergy initiatives through financial incentives, blending mandates, and sustainability criteria. To encourage the adoption of bioenergy solutions and facilitate a fair and effective energy transition, the research winds up by highlighting the importance of international collaboration, interdisciplinary investigation, and innovation. With the appropriate laws and technologies in place, biofuels and bioenergy could play an important role in achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future.