What are the advantages of Biofuels?

Renewable Energy Resource

Renewable energy is replenished quickly by nature and will not end anytime soon. Unlike fossil fuels,
coal, and natural gas, biofuels are easily replaced. Thus, they are cost-effective and environmentally benign.
As the population grows we need more and more energy. Therefore, it is crucial to look for resources that will
not deplete in the near future. Unless we focus on renewable clean energy for our energy needs, we will
exhaust all available forms of fuels that we currently have. Scientists and environmentalists are constantly
trying to shift the paradigm from non-renewable to renewable forms to help provide our future generations
with a better, cleaner planet.

Green Energy

Green energy is one that environmentally safe sources can produce for us. Another significant
advantage of biofuels is that we derive them from non-toxic substances. It is easily scalable and flexible and
does not harm the planet. Moreover, ethanol and biodiesel burn clean when used for cars and vehicles, thus
reducing carbon impact.

Reduces Landfills and Waste

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This saying is perfect for the biofuel industry that widely
uses manure, waste from crops, sawdust, and used cooking oil for production. Moreover, many companies are
also using household waste and industrial by-products as raw materials for the production of Green Energy.
Many countries struggle to manage their waste and landfill sites. Biofuels check all boxes which are required
to eliminate waste. They are a perfect solution to utilize the land for better purposes and manage pollution
levels. It is an effective way of utilizing one industry’s trash and converting it into a green and clean form of
energy.

Low Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Greenhouse gases warm our planet and lead to global warming. Indeed, it is vital to steer clear of fuels
that emit greenhouse gases when burned. Biofuels burn clean, emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases, and
are entirely biodegradable. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas
emissions more than fossil fuel. Moreover, the crops that are grown to produce biomass absorb carbon
dioxide which helps clean the air. This dual effect makes it wise to use biofuels as an alternative  energy source
to power your vehicles.

Reduces Pollution

One of the significant advantages of biofuels is it helps reduce pollution. Using biodiesel for your car
can improve the air quality considerably for millions of people. Vehicles that use biodiesel significantly reduce
pollutants such as tiny pollution matter and hydrocarbon emissions. Biodiesel is also void of sulfur and
pungent hydrocarbons, which negatively impact the atmosphere. Better air ensures better well-being!

Helps the Economy

Using biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels is a healthy way for countries to become self-sufficient.
Fuel costs make up a large chunk of an economy’s GDP. Since biomass is readily available globally,
governments can utilize it to increase self-reliance and improve the Balance of Payments. There are plenty of
raw materials that we can use to produce biomass. This ease of usage means that countries can produce
cheaper local energy. After the initial investment, they can utilize readily available raw materials for
production. Besides that, it also helps to achieve energy security for developing or developed countries.
Increase Employment

Biofuels pave the way for more jobs, ultimately improving the standard of living for most people. The
industry provides a wide range of jobs for people right from cultivation, transportation, production, and
supply. This industry is labor-intensive and requires both skilled and unskilled labor forces. Most importantly,
the industry creates direct employment, but it also starts a multiplier effect. According to research, the
industry will lead to the creation of 807,000 new jobs by the year 2023.

Protects the Engine

Compared to petroleum fuels, you can protect your vehicle’s engine from rapid wear and tear using
biofuels. It is an engine-friendly fuel that does not deposit or clog, thereby increasing your car’s life with fewer
repair costs.

What are the Disadvantages of Biofuels?

Needs a Lot of Water
The irony of the biofuel industry is that its production requires tons of water, a scarce non-renewable
resource. While the industry uses natural resources and converts them into energy, the process requires a lot
of water to irrigate the crops and the production process. The cultivation of biofuel crops usually requires a
large amount of water. This leads to a decline in the water resources that most countries are not able to
afford. Agro-based countries require water to irrigate staple crops and feed the population too. Therefore, it’s
not always easy to consider biofuel production through plant-based sources.
Reduces Agricultural Land for Food Crops
Rich agricultural land is already scarce. If farmers use this land for growing crops for the biofuel
industry, it will lead to a disbalance in Biodiversity. The implications could be severe and damaging. A decrease
in food crops worldwide can lead to inflated prices. As the food supply decreases, the prices will go up, and
there will be a threat of global hunger and starvation. To sum up, biofuels pose a question mark on food
security.

No Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is an essential technique to give back nutrients to the land. It involves changing the crop
planted on a particular piece of land. However, when farmers cultivate the land for biomass, only a limited
number of crops are grown there. Hence, the soil gets deprived, leading to an increased usage of pesticides
and fertilizers.

Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of trees for multiple reasons. It causes the extinction of animals, changes
to climatic conditions, desertification, and environmental threats. As the demand for energy crops grows to
produce more biomass, it will lead to a mass cut down of forests, grasslands, and other forms of vegetation. A
report regarding the global usage of biofuels has found alarming statistics. Researchers have concluded
that by 2030, 7 million hectares of forests would be cut down to provide the ‘green fuel.’ Environmentalists
speculate that biofuels bring about more harm to the environment than good, and in reality, they lead to
increased carbon emissions by 11.5 tonnes per year.
High Cost of Production and Low Yields
The production of biofuels is an extensive process. Similarly, the price of raw materials is also high
since it involves a long process. Moreover, biofuels have a lower energy density for each unit produced. Both
these factors lead to an increase in overall cost compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. Having said that,
when industries produce biofuels using agricultural and commercial waste, they are more energy and cost-
efficient. For example, we can grow algae on unprofitable land and irrigate it using wastewater from
industries.
Creates More Pollution Compared to Wind and Solar
Solar and wind power are clean energy sources. After the initial installation, they provide long-term
energy solutions. The burning of materials to produce biofuels emit a lot of nitrous oxides that could lead to
global warming. The use of pesticides in farming practices also pollutes the water.
Ignorance
Lack of awareness and general information about biofuels is a significant factor reducing their utility.
Biofuels are still in their infancy, and lots of research and development are required to make them more
popular. Until then, most users who are unaware of this fuel source will continue to use other sources to meet
their energy requirements.

Not Suitable in All Weather Conditions

Biofuels attract more moisture than fossil fuels which makes them unsuitable for use in colder regions.
They also have a higher quantity of saturated fatty acid methyl esters. In cold climates, it can be challenging to
use high blends of biofuels for vehicles since they tend to freeze at lower temperatures.

Pros of Biofuels Cons of Biofuels

Green energy -comes from natural sources Not enough land space to grow crops to generate biofuels

Renewable form of energy- constantly Global decline in food production-As more land is directed
replenished by nature towards biomass production 

Helps keep the environment clean- low level Can cause prices of staple crops to increase due to
of greenhouse gas emissions decreased availability of land

Might lead to global hunger and malnutrition due to

Improved utilization of land and waste inflating food prices

Can put a strain on water resources-High water demand for

Reduction in landfill sites the cultivation of biomass and  in the production process

As efficient as gasoline Most vehicles are not equipped to utilize biofuels

A large number of sources are available for

the production of biofuels Huge startup investment required 

Reduces burden on a single energy resource

especially fossil fuels High production cost

Employment generation due to increased local Not preferred by many as it can erode some metals, rubber,
production and plastic parts

Economic security – countries can become

self-sufficient by providing for themselves Might lead to deforestation to make way for biomass crops

Comparatively safe technology that is easier

to implement as well Funding required for research and development

Easily blends with existing fuels  Biodiversity loss as land consumption pattern changes
 Lower pollution compared to burning fossil
fuels Not viable when compared to solar and wind power

Why use biofuels instead of fossil fuels?

Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels has the potential to reduce some undesirable aspects of fossil fuel
production and use, including conventional and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutant emissions, exhaustible
resource depletion, and dependence on unstable foreign suppliers. Demand for biofuels could also increase
farm income. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources,
research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. Potential drawbacks
include changes to land use patterns that may increase GHG emissions, pressure on water resources, air and
water pollution, and increased food costs. Depending on the feedstock and production process and time
horizon of the analysis, biofuels can emit even more GHGs than some fossil fuels on an energy-equivalent
basis. Biofuels also tend to require subsidies and other market interventions to compete economically with
fossil fuels, which creates deadweight losses in the economy.

Biofuels do not release as much carbon as fossil fuels do, and because of this, there are fewer harmful
emissions out of biofuels. Renewable. Being made from organic materials, and even organic waste, there is
practically an infinite amount of biofuels available When we use bioethanol instead of gasoline, we help
reduce atmospheric CO2 in three ways: (1) we avoid the emissions associated with gasoline; (2) we allow the
CO2 content of the fossil fuels to remain in storage; and (3) we provide a mechanism for CO2 absorption by
growing new biomass for fuels. Because of their compatibility with the natural carbon cycle, biofuels offer the
most beneficial alternative for reducing greenhouse gases from the transportation sector. Using biodiesel as a
vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment, and provides safety
benefits. Increasing biomass use would accelerate the displacement of fossil fuels and the reduction of
transportation greenhouse gas emissions.

Another info:

A major advantage of fossil fuels is their capacity to generate huge amounts of electricity in just a
single location. Fossil fuels are very easy to find. When coal is used in power plants, they are very cost
effective. Coal is also in abundant supply. Hence, it affects the environments security as well as some people
loves, it may mitigate chronic diseases. Biofuel is better for our environment than fossil fuel. When
burned, pure biofuels generally produce fewer emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide, and air toxics than
their fossil-fuel derived counterparts. Biofuel-petroleum blends also generally result in lower emissions
relative to fuels that do not contain biofuels. In recent years, biofuels have consistently been more expensive
compared to fossil fuels in Europe. With the current price hikes in many of the feedstocks used for biofuels like
vegetable oils, cereals, used cooking oil and animal fats, the price difference to fossil fuels is becoming ever
larger.

https://www.ourendangeredworld.com/energy/pros-and-cons-of-biofuels/

https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy99osti/24052.pdf

https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-in-context/introduction-biofuels

https://www.epa.gov/environmental-economics/economics-biofuels

https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/biofuels-are-twice-as-expensive-as-fossil-fuels/#:~:text=In
%20recent%20years%2C%20biofuels%20have,fuels%20is%20becoming%20ever%20larger.