Biofuels Explored By Santiago Londoo I have an

Biofuels Explored By: Santiago Londoño

“I have an Idea…Idea”

What are Biofuels? • Types of renewable energy derived from plant and animal materials v. Ethanol v. Biodiesel v. Biogas v. Green Diesel • Each Biofuel production process is slightly different than the next • Few have proven to be sustainable in the face of U. S. energy demands.

Biofuel Benefits • Biofuels are a renewable energy source • Biofuel also do not require many changes (if any) in cars and • other places of use to be utilized • Carbon neutral* • Help reduce the dependence on the foreign oils

Bioethanol or “Ethyl Alcohol” • A clear colorless liquid v Biodegradable v Low in toxicity v Causes little environmental pollution if split. • It is the principle fuel used as a petrol substitute for transportation. v E 10 is the most common blend

Biodiesel • Vegetable oil – or animal fat based diesel consisting of long-chain alkyl (methyl, ethyl or propyl) esters. • To be used in Standard Diesel engines v Alone v Blended with petro diesel in any proportions; or v Heating oil

Biogas: • A mixture of gases derived from the breakdown of organic matter in animal manure and other digested organic materials in the absence of some Oxygen • Can be compressed and used to power motor vehicles

Green Diesel • Fuel derived from the transformation of algae and other plant sources into fuel by Hydrocracking or hydrogenation • These methods can be used for production of: – – Gasoline Diesel Propane Other chemical feedstock

Corn Ethanol Production: USA The Process • Corn is ground, mixed with water, and heated • Added enzymes convert the starch into sugars • In a fermentation tank, yeast gradually turns the sugars into alcohol, which is separated from the water by distillation. • The leftover, known as distiller grains, is fed to the cow, and some of the wastewater, high in nitrogen, is applied to the fields as a fertilizer.

Sugarcane Ethanol Production: Brazil • Unlike corn, in which the starch in the kernel has to be broken down into sugars with expensive enzymes before it can be fermented, the entire sugarcane stalk is already 20 percent sugar—and it starts to ferment almost as soon as it’s cut. • Unlike corn, the entire sugarcane stalk is already 20 percent sugar—and it starts to ferment almost as soon as its cut. • Cane yields 600 to 800 gallons (2, 300 to 3, 000 liters) of ethanol an acre, more than twice as much as corn • Usina São Martinho, one of the largest sugar mills and ethanol distilleries in the world sits in the heart of the emerald dessert.

Cellulosic Ethanol • The two ways of producing ethanol from cellulose are: – Celluloysis – Gasification • abundant and diverse raw material compared to sources such as corn and cane sugars • reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 85% over reformulated gasoline. • American Petroleum Institute v. EPA (2013)

Bio Fuel Legislation: Federal • Energy Policy Act of 1992 • Energy Policy Act of 2005 – Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) • Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 • The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 – Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) • Public Law 110 -353 (2008) – The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – Title IV: Energy and Water – Section 406

Bio fuel Legislation: State • As of 2006, demand for agriculture-based renewable energy is being regulated by state Ø Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) • Overall, the states vary in the ways in which they encourage and regulate Bioenergy: Ø Tax Credits Ø Grants

Bio Fuel Regulation: Federal • Department of Energy (DOE) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Department of Transportation (DOT) • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Biofuel Regulation: State • In addition to grants and tax incentives, several states have other laws to encourage the use and production of biofuels – conversion to alternative fuels for state vehicle fleets – percentage of fuel within a state to come from a renewable source.

Economic and Environmental Impacts • Reduced Dependence on Foreign Sources of Crude Oil: • Reduced Price of Domestic Transportation Fuels: • Increased U. S. Farm Income • Decreased Corn and Soybean exports • Increased Cost of Food in the United States • Reduced GHG Emissions • Increased Emission of Certain Air Contaminants, but decreased Emissions of others

Criticisms of Bio Fuel Regulation • Distortion of the market and investment incentives. • Expanded mandate could have substantial unintended consequences in other areas of policy importance. • Unfair burden on taxpayers

Where are we going….

Energy From Floating Algae Pods