Biofuels: From Plants to Porsches Joint Lesson by Jordan Parker and Marina Ziehn Spring 2011

Resources What is a resource? What is a resource? definition: any physical or virtual entity of limited availability that needs to be consumed to obtain benefit from it definition: any physical or virtual entity of limited availability that needs to be consumed to obtain benefit from it biotic: plants, animals and their products biotic: plants, animals and their products abiotic: non-living matter, minerals not from organic matter abiotic: non-living matter, minerals not from organic matter What is the difference between a limited resource and a renewable resource? What is the difference between a limited resource and a renewable resource? one takes a LONG time to form (geological periods), other can be replenished or reproduced easily one takes a LONG time to form (geological periods), other can be replenished or reproduced easily

Pop Quiz water water coal coal wind wind petroleum petroleum calcium from fish calcium from fish hydroelectricity hydroelectricity gold gold iron iron copper silver forests animals sun/solar energy wood oil

Developing/using renewable resources Why might we want to use renewable resources more widely? Why might we want to use renewable resources more widely? continuously available continuously available easily available easily available made in large quantities made in large quantities How can we get/create renewable resources? How can we get/create renewable resources?

From resource to Fuel How are resources used? How are resources used?

Renewable options

Types of Biofuels Bioalcohols: alcohols synthesized chemically or biologically, have high octane rating (which means they can ignite well) but lower energy density Bioalcohols: alcohols synthesized chemically or biologically, have high octane rating (which means they can ignite well) but lower energy density

Types of Biofuels Biogases: gases produced by biological breakdown of organic matter (without O2) Biogases: gases produced by biological breakdown of organic matter (without O2)

Types of Biofuels Biodiesels: clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources Biodiesels: clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources How available are these types of biofuels? How efficient is each type of biofuel?