Biofuels

J. Wesley Burnett

Chapter 8 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Energy Economics, 2025, pp 34-35 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Biofuels are liquid fuels produced from renewable biological sources, such as plants and algae. As an alternative energy source, biofuels have the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Biofuels can replace jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel, which are critical to meet transportation needs. For example, ethanol is an alcohol fuel that can be blended with petroleum gasoline for automobiles. Historically, ethanol has been produced from corn (maize) and sugarcane, which has prompted ‘food versus fuel’ debates. These debates address the dilemma of diverting farmland or crops for biofuel production to the detriment of the food supply. New and emerging bioenergy research is currently developing the future generation of advanced biofuels and bioproducts. That is, leading science is developing second-generation biofuels from raw materials (feedstocks) that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Second-generation feedstocks include corn stover, wood waste, municipal waste, and algae, among others.

Keywords: Bioenergy; Ethanol; Biodiesel; Second-Generation Biofuels; Bioeconomy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035310364
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