World Report Says Biofuels Could Reduce Fossil Energy Consumption

A recent report by the World Energy Council on “Transport Technologies and Transport Scenarios by 2050” (URL above), provides some analysis and technology projections related to issues on sustainable energy. In the report, biofuels are stated to have the highest potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 90%. This is based on the assumption that biofuels are produced in an “economically, environmentally, and socially” sustainable manner. Particular mention was made to cellulose ethanol and BTL (biomass-to-liquids) fuels. BTL fuels are generally made by a two-step thermochemical process involving (1) heat treatment to gasify the biomass into “synthesis gas” (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) and then (2) subjecting the synthesis gas to a chemical conversion process to produce a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons (“synthetic biofuel”). BTL fuels are considered to have some advantages such as (1) usability of the fuel in both existing and new vehicles, (2) immediate contribution to reduced petroleum consumption, and (3) no limitation by new transport infrastructure requirements.

More information of biomass-to-liquid (BTL) technology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass_to_liquid