|
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
News and Trends
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1219e/i1219e.pdf A report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) says that the cultivation of Jatropha for biofuel use, can benefit farmers in semi-arid and remote areas of many developing countries. Interest in Jatropha oil as a biodiesel feedstock was a consequence of "its perceived ability to grow in semi-arid regions with low nutrient requirements and little care". While the oil (extracted from the seeds) is usually processed chemically into biodiesel, it could also be used directly in "adapted" diesel engines, and for heating/cooking purposes. According to the report, "Jatropha biofuel production could be a beneficial opportunity to learn and adopt alternative farming strategies, alternative livelihood options and a mitigating measure in the increasing environmental degradation". Jatropha cultivation in remotely marginalized areas is also seen to benefit village women: (1) jatropha-powered milling machines can reduce the amount of tedious work that they do, (2) the substitution of biomass (i.e. wood) cooking fuel with jatropha oil may result in healthier environment (i.e., smoke-free burning) and divert "wood-gathering" time of the women to more productive activities. The UN-FAO report also says, however, that crop improvement activities on Jatropha have been little. Much could be done if research support could be channeled for the improvement of Jatropha as a bioenergy crop in the following aspects: higher seed yields, higher oil content, better oil quality, and reduced toxicity of the seed cake. The full report can be accessed at the UN-FAO website (URL above).
http://www.eurobserv-er.org/pdf/baro198.pdf A recent study by the EurObserv'ER (the "biofuels barometer project" which measures the renewable energy progress of EU member states) shows that biofuel consumption in the EU is slowing down. Between 2008 and 2009, the use of biofuels for transport grew by 18.7 percent. Biofuel use in 2009 amounted to 12.1 million tons of oil equivalent (mtoe), representing a 4 percent share of total transport fuel consumption in the EU. In contrast, the growth in transport biofuel use between the years 2007 to 2008 and 2006 to 2007 were 30.3 percent and 41.8 percent, respectively. The 4 percent share of biofuels use for transport in the region, is said to fall short of the European Directive which targets a share of 5.75 percent by 2010. The EurObserv'ER report also shows that biodiesel is the major transport biofuel used in the EU, accounting for 79.5 percent of the total energy content, compared to 19.3 percent for bioethanol. The vegetable oil fuel share has been reported as "becoming negligible" (0.9%). The biogas fuel share is also reported to be specific to one country (Sweden , 0.3%). The complete "Biofuels Barometer" report can be accessed at the EurObserv'ER website. Related information on EurObserv'ER website: http://www.eurobserv-er.org/ Energy Crops and Feedstocks for Biofuels Production
http://www.thebioenergysite.com/news/6777/canola-could-help-mining-industry An Australian mining company is looking at canola-based biodiesel to fill-in the growing fuel demand (diesel) of its mining operations, and also as a step toward the use of cleaner fuels. The push toward cleaner fuels is seen to help biofuel producers. Crop trials are currently on-going in some regions of the country. A crop variety, known as "Dry Land Juncea" has been planted in 13,000 hectares "across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, as well as field trials in Western Australia". According to Mile Soda, consultant of the mining company, Smorgon Fuels, "We're looking at the future, and Western Australia being a huge user of diesel through the mining, means we're sitting back and thinking how can we tap into that opportunity down the track". Biofuels Processing
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V24-50H224F- Scientists from the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo (Campus Ourense), Spain, report the hydrothermal pretreatment of Eucalyptus wood for bioethanol production. Pretreatment is an essential step in the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass, such as wood. The objective is usually to remove the (recalcitrant) lignin layer from the biomass, and render the celluloses/hemicelluloses accessible to chemical/enzymatic attack for sugar conversion. The sugars produced are then fermented to ethanol. Hydrothermal treatment is one pretreatment option which involves the treatment of biomass with steam at high temperature and pressure. This type of pretreatment reportedly satisfies many of the requirements of an "ideal pretreatment process", among which are: (1) high recovery of hemicelluloses-derived products from the biomass, (2) limited production of undesired degradation products, such as furfural and/or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and (3) low corrosive property of chemicals used. The researchers mixed the Eucalyptus wood samples at a designated water-to-solids ratio and heated the mixture under pressure under non-isothermal conditions from 190oC to 250oC. Results showed that hydrothermal treatment could be a suitable process for enhancing the susceptibility of Eucalyptus wood towards enzymatic hydrolysis. The conversion of cellulose to glucose was achieved for substrates treated at a maximum temperature of 210oC. Bioethanol fermentation of the pretreated substrates by simultaneous saccharification/fermentation showed also good yields. The complete paper is published in the Bioresource Technology journal (URL above). Biofuels Policy and Economics
http://www.pandct.com/media/shownews.asp?ID=26096 The Bioenergy website and the Process and Control website report that a proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) bill in the United Kingdom could create a new biodiesel market, if successfully passed. The RHI will be a major focus at the European Bioenergy Expo and Conference (EBEC), to be held in 2010 October 6-7, in Warwickshire, UK. According to the RHI website, the RHI is an incentive payment for generating heat from renewable sources. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) of the UK government is seen as the official administrator/regulator. Under the RHI, biodiesel can be "blended with heating oil to provide a real growth opportunity for the biodiesel sector estimated at 900 million liters". According to Richard Price, Director of EBEC, "The bioenergy sectors are set to grow significantly in the coming years, however, there are challenges ahead. At EBEC 2010 we hope to address some of these issues such as financing, environment agency issues, the classification of glycerol in the UK, the new market for biodiesel and demonstrate how many of the bioenergy sectors are integrated". Related information on RHI proposal: http://www.rhincentive.co.uk/
http://www.sarasin-alpen.com/internet/ieae/index_ieae/media_relations_news_ieae?reference=110624&checkSum=DC9898BEA99CB1BB05C4BF2DA62BCFFF A recent study by Bank Sarasin ("Renewable Energies 2010") "provides an in-depth and critical survey of the current status of renewable energies and highlights the different aspects that need to be taken into account for sustainable asset management purposes". The report says, that the future of biofuels is presently "still dominated by uncertainty, even though there are big opportunities for the new second and third generation technologies". The main mode of biofuel production (by fermentation to ethanol or transesterification to biodiesel) still uses "first-generation" (food-based) feedstocks. Second generation biofuel production technologies are said to be still in the "pilot phase", and commercial production may probably be realized by 2012, "at the earliest". Profitable biodiesel production using "third-generation feedstocks" ((from algae) may still not be possible until 2016 at the earliest. As many studies have shown, biofuels production from first generation feedstocks do not have maximum benefit in terms of food security, land-use issues, and LCA (Life Cycle Analysis)-based environmental benefits. According to the study, "First-generation biofuels in particular are in direct competition with food production and are forcing food prices upwards. The biofuel industry is therefore counting on the development of environmentally friendly and socially compatible technologies of the second and third generation". The complete report can be requested from the Bank Sarasin website (URL above). |
||||||
