Biofuels Biofuels are a wide range of fuels

Biofuels § Biofuels are a wide range of fuels which are in some way derived from biomass. The term covers solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases. Biofuels are gaining increased public and scientific attention, driven by factors such as oil price spikes and the need for increased energy security. § Biofuels provided 1. 8% of the world's transport fuel in 2008. Investment into biofuels production capacity exceeded $4 billion worldwide in 2007 and is growing.

The Contribution of Biomass to the European Energy System Gross inland energy consumption 1747 Mtoe (2004) Renewables 109 Mtoe (2004) Renewable heat 50. 6 Mtoe (2004) Renewable electricity 37. 5 Mtoe (2004) Liquid biofuels 3. 3 Mtoe (2005) 100% Others 100% 95. 7% Biomass 65. 8% = 72. 3 Mtoe = Million tons of oil equivalent 4. 1% 15. 6%

Future energy goals for biomass in Europe according the Biomass Action Plan (COM(2005)528) Target for 2020 Additional 80 Mtoe (based on 2003) 149 Mtoe 19 Mtoe + 18 Mtoe Liquid biofuels + 27 Mtoe 69 Mtoe 75 Mtoe Biomass for heat 1 Mtoe Biomass for electricity 48 Mtoe + 35 Mtoe 55 Mtoe 2003 2010

The supply of Biomass for Energy in 2004 and projections for 2020 (Mtoe) Forest based biomass Agriculture based industry Waste 2004 2020* 61. 5 (85%) 75. 0 3. 5 (5%) 97. 0 7. 3 (10%) Imports Total !!! 23. 0 - 25. 0 72. 3 220 The potential of biomass for energy in Europe is much bigger than its present use, but this potential has to be developed by activities on local, regional, national and international level. * AEBIOM Estimates

The Diversity of biomass for energy purposes

Biomass to Heat (1) - General Aspects • Biomass for heat production is the most efficient form of biomass use (conversion efficiency of over 90%) • Can be used in any scale – from small scale pellet stove with 2 k. W capacity up to district heating networks with some MW of capacity. • Due to new technologies the use is very consumer friendly – full automatic pellet or wood chip heating systems are in their userfriendliness very similar to oil or gas heating systems. • Despite these advantages of biomass to heat it grows slower than bioelectricity and biofuels due to a lack of political support.

Biomass to heat (2) - Opportunities for the agricultural sector • Supplier of wood based biomass resources like wood chips and wood logs - The annual incremental wood growth in the EU reaches 574 Mm³ per year. Only 315 Mm³ are currently used by the forest based industries. Therefore there is still a high unused potential for energy purposes. • Plantation of short rotation forests (willow, popular etc. ) or perennial energy crops like Miscanthus etc. • Farmers as heat sellers (Energy Contracting) - Farmers can act as operator of small district heating networks outgoing from their farm to deliver heat to neighbors. - Farmers can act as heat suppliers to individual buildings, like schools or other public buildings. In this case they rent the costumers cellar and close a contract with the owner of the building

Biomass to heat (3) Small district heating plant Harvest of short rotation forest Energy crops Wood chip burner Collecting forest residues for energy use

Biomass to electricity (1) - General aspects • In 2004 22. 03 Mtoe biomass were used to produce 67. 91 TWh electricity • The small scale use of solid biomass for electricity production will be a promising field in the future due to new technologies (small scale steam turbines, gas motors, Stirling engine etc. ) • The agricultural sector will gain substantially on importance to deliver the necessary biomass resources (Short rotations forests, perennial energy crops. etc) • For the agricultural sector combined heat and power production (CHP) by converting biogas to bioelectricity and bioheat is at the moment the most important technology.

Biomass to electricity (2) - Biogas production • Overview about primary production of biogas in the EU 25 from 2004 -2006 Other biogas Total Landfill gas Sewage sludge gas 2004 2. 81 0. 92 0. 54 4. 27 2005 3. 17 0. 93 0. 85 4. 96 2006 3. 12 0. 95 1. 28 5. 35 • Other biogas: mainly biogas plants on farms using manure or energy plants like corn, cereals or grass as raw material. • The primary energy production in biogas plants is growing with impressive rates and has due to the high efficiency and environmental benefits a promising future. • In the last few years many farmers built biogas plants in countries with high feed in tariffs for electricity from biogas. In countries like Germany or Italy the development was very dynamic. AEBIOM calculates that in 2006 ca 600. 000 ha arable land were used to produce energy crops for biogas plants.

Biomass to electricity (3) - Biogas production: Methane yield rate ODS = Organic Dry Substance

Biofuels for transportation (1) European Union: Ethanol and Biodiesel production 2000 – 2006 (kt) Bioethanol Biodiesel 0 thers (mainly vegetable oil and biogas) 2000 156 756 912 2001 234 814 1048 2002 388 1 134 1 522 2003 425 1 504 1 929 2004 491 1 933 2 424 2005 727 3 184 190 4 101 2006 1 246 4 890 649 6 788 Total The biofuels production in the EU was rising sharply from 2003 to 2006. The reason for this take off is the Directive 2003/30 EC for the promotion of liquid biofuels that proposes a target of 5. 75% for all countries by 2010.

FOSSIL RESOURCES OF FUELS üRapid increase of dependency of European economy on the fossil resources because of sustained growth of population and industry üShortage of these reserves üIncrease of oil prices -during 2006 approached to US$ 80 per barrel- üNegative impact of fossil fuels on the environment, particularly greenhouse gas emissions NECESSITY to find renewable fuel alternatives

BIOFUELS are becoming the focus of growing interest for transportation Bio-fuels for road transport: bio-ethanol and bio-diesel The European Union set ambitious targets in 2020 (DIRECTIVE 2009/28/CE). § At least a 20% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels § A 20% substitution of EU energy consumption with energy from renewable resources § A 20% reduction in primary EU energy use

Bioethanol • Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and it is made mostly from sugar and starch crops. With advanced technology being developed, cellulosic biomass, such as trees and grasses, are also used as feedstocks for ethanol production. Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a gasoline additive to increase octane and improve vehicle emissions. Bioethanol is widely used in the USA and in Brazil. •

Global Bioethanol Production Country/Region Brazil United States China Ethanol Production (million liters) 16, 500 16, 230 2, 000 European Union 950 2. 6 India Canada Colombia Thailand Australia World Total 300 250 150 60 60 36, 500 0. 8 0. 7 0. 4 0. 2 100. 0 source: F. O. Licht, 2005 Share of Total Ethanol Production (%) The 45. 2 BIG 44. 5 Two 5. 5

Biodiesel § Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases. Biodiesel can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles. Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats using transesterification and is the most common biofuel in Europe.

Global Biodiesel Production Country or Region Germany France Italy, Austria, Denmark, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, Sweden Europe Total United States Other World Total source: F. O. Licht, 2005 Biodiesel Production (million liters) 1, 921 Share of Total (%) 511 14. 5 9 - 227 0. 1 – 6. 4 3, 121 290 114 3, 524 88. 6 8. 2 3. 2 100. 0 54. 5 The BIG Two

Biofuels for transportation (2) - Opportunities the agricultural sector • Due to the European climate commitments and renewable energy targets for the EU, future market opportunities are given. • Farmers can act as feedstock producers or invest in cooperation with other farmers in small scale biofuel plants. • The use of pure vegetable oil in tractors and machines is a promising way to reduce costs and increase energy independence. • In the middle term biogas for transport will play a more important role to fulfill the biofuels target of the European Union

Overview: Energy output per hectare on the basis of average yields 2002 -2004 (toe per ha) Crop/plant Type of energy carrier Average yield 2002 – 2004, EU 25, toe/ha Miscanthus combustible 4. 8 Willows, SRC combustible 4. 4 Silo maize biogas 3. 9 Sugar beet ethanol 2. 9 Willows, SRC 2 nd generation fuel 1. 8 Maize ethanol 1. 5 Conv. Forest * combustible 1. 2 Wheat ethanol 1. 1 Rape biodiesel 1. 0 The energy output per unit land varies widely depending upon the plant cultivated, the yield attained and the technology used to transform the solar energy stored in the plant to final energy *Conventional forest assumed yield: 7 m³/ha and year

FIRST GENERATION SECOND GENERATION THIRD GENERATION

FIRST GENERATION 'First-generation biofuels' are biofuels made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats using conventional technology. The basic feedstocks for the production of first generation biofuels are often seeds or grains such as wheat, which yields starch that is fermented into bioethanol, or sunflower seeds, which are pressed to yield vegetable oil that can be used in biodiesel. These feedstocks could instead enter the animal or human food chain, and as the global population has risen their use in producing biofuels has been criticised for diverting food away from the human food chain, leading to food shortages and price rises.

FIRST GENERATION BIOFUEL CONTROVERSIES There is controversy and political speculation surrounding first-generation biofuels due to the agricultural, economic, and social implications associated with the potential expansion of biofuel production. Research has been done in China that indicates that the demand for bio-fuel feedstock such as maize, sugarcane, and cassava will significantly increase due to the expansion of biofuel production; the increased demand for feedstock will lead prices for such grain to significantly increase. A similar study done examining a potential increase in ethanol production capacity in the United States also predicts an upward trend in agricultural prices as a direct affect of expanding domestic biofuel production.

SECOND GENERATION Supporters of biofuels claim that a more viable solution is to increase political and industrial support for, and rapidity of, second-generation biofuel implementation from non -food crops. These include waste biomass, the stalks of wheat, corn, wood, and specialenergy-or-biomass crops (e. g. Miscanthus). Second generation (2 G) biofuels use biomass to liquid technology, [including cellulosic biofuels. Many second generation biofuels are under development such as biohydrogen, biomethanol, DMF, Bio-DME, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, biohydrogen diesel, mixed alcohols and wood diesel. Cellulosic ethanol production uses non-food crops or inedible waste products and does not divert food away from the animal or human food chain. Lignocellulose is the "woody" structural material of plants. This feedstock is abundant and diverse, and in some cases (like citrus peels or sawdust) it is in itself a significant disposal problem.

THIRD GENERATION Algae fuel, also called oilgae or third generation biofuel, is a biofuel from algae. Algae are low-input, high-yield feedstocks to produce biofuels. Based on laboratory experiments, it is claimed that algae can produces up to 30 times more energy per acre than land crops such as soybeans, but these yields have yet to be produced commercially. With the higher prices of fossil fuels (petroleum), there is much interest in algaculture (farming algae). One advantage of many biofuels over most other fuel types is that they are biodegradable, and so relatively harmless to the environment if spilled. Algae fuel still has its difficulties though, for instance to produce algae fuels it must be mixed uniformly, which, if done by agitation, could affect biomass growth. The United States Department of Energy estimates that if algae fuel replaced all the petroleum fuel in the United States, it would require 15, 000 square miles (38, 849 square kilometers), which is roughly the size of Maryland, or less than one seventh the amount of land devoted to corn in 2000. Second and third generation biofuels are also called advanced biofuels.

Green fuels However, if biocatalytic cracking and traditional fractional distillation used to process properly prepared algal biomass i. e. biocrude, then as a result we receive the following distillates: jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, etc. . Hence, we may call them third generation or green fuels. Ethanol from living algae Most biofuel production comes from harvesting organic matter and then converting it to fuel but an alternative approach relies on the fact that some algae naturally produce ethanol and this can be collected without killing the algae. The ethanol evaporates and then can be condensed and collected. The company Algenol is trying to commercialize this process

Scenario Production of Biofuels

Technologies for biofuel production Biomass resources Supply systems Oil bearing plants Agricultural crops and residues Woody biomass Industrial and municipal waste Harvesting, collection, handling, and storage Conversion End products Chemical (transesterification) Transportation fuels Physical chemical (extraction) Solid fuels (wood pellets, charcoal) Biochemical (fermentation) Heat Electricity Thermochemical (gasification) High added-value chemicals (biodiesel, bioethanol) (pharmaceuticals, polymers) byproducts

Overview of Biofuel Production Technologies First Generation of Biofuels Biofuel type Specific name Feedstock Pure vegetable oil Pure plant oil (PPO), Straight vegetable oil (SVO) Biodiesel - Biodiesel from energy - Oil crops (e. g. rapeseed, oil crops: methyl and ethyl palm, soy, canola, jatropha, esters of fatty acids castor, …) - Biodiesel from waste - Waste cooking/frying oil - Cold and warm pressing extraction, purification, and transesterification - Hydrogenation Bioethanol Conventional bioethanol Sugar beet, sugar cane, grain Hydrolysis and fermentation Biogas Upgraded biogas Biomass (wet) Anaerobic digestion Bioethanol Chemical Synthesis Bio-ETBE Oil crops (e. g. rapeseed, oil palm, soy, canola, jatropha, castor, …) Conversion Technologies Cold pressing extraction

Comparison of technologies Technology aspects Current stage of Techn. a development Effort Expected plant b capacity [MW bf] c Overall efficiency [%] Distrid bution d Use Many different concepts for biofuel options of the 2 nd generation; associated with appropriate benefits and bottlenecks along the pathway. a regarding system complexity (+ less promising…. ++++ very promising) related to biomass feedstock c according state of development (many different concepts) only theoretical values d suitability for current distribution and use (+ less promising…. ++++ very promising) b Source: IEE Leipzig, 2007

Overall biorefinery concept - a new chemical industry sector - equivalent to the petrochemistry concept

Biomass to high added value chemicals, an emerging chemistry Biomass Extraction of chemicals • Proteins • Vitamins • Fragrances • Pharmaceuticals Biodiesel production Sugar fermentation Thermochemical conversion Glycerol • Ethanol • Lactic acid Bio-SNG Chemicals