The rationality of biofuels

Luiz Augusto Horta Nogueira, Jose Roberto Moreira, Ulf Schuchardt and Jose Goldemberg

Energy Policy, 2013, vol. 61, issue C, 595-598

Abstract: In an editorial of a recent issue of a known academic journal, Prof. Hartmut Michel affirmed that “…the production of biofuels constitutes an extremely inefficient land use… We should not grow plants for biofuel production.”, after comparing the area occupied with plants for bioenergy production with the one required for photovoltaic cells to supply the same amount of energy for transportation. This assertion is not correct for all situations and this comparison deserves a more careful analysis, evaluating the actual and prospective technological scenarios and other relevant aspects, such as capacity requirements, energy consumed during the life cycle of energy systems and the associated impacts. In this communication this comparison is revaluated, presenting a different perspective, more favorable for the bioenergy routes.

Keywords: Competitiveness of biofuels; Comparison of energy systems; Sugarcane ethanol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:61:y:2013:i:c:p:595-598

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.05.112

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