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Published byJoel Simon Modified over 8 years ago
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Will new biofuels provide the solution?
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New biofuels the solution? End of Oil Reserves (but biofuels poor substitute) Security of Supply (but biofuels poor solution) Climate change (but biofuels poor palliative) Original three motivators for biofuels
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New biofuels the solution? End of Oil Reserves In 2007 greater reserves than in 1965 40 + 60 + 100 yrs → “Yamani was right” The peak oil theory between 2021 and 2112 more probable between 2030 and 2075 In fact 40 = “infinity” End of “cheap–oil” era EU need to be in control
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New biofuels the solution? Security of supply By 2020 EU 70 % dependent on imports But : Increase in IEA ESI vol Biofuels > 4,2 % need to be imported No link dependency and economic growth
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New biofuels the solution? 3rd main argument for biofuels: climate Biofuels ineffective solution Climate debate provides Emotional context Political reality Business opportunity !! First two other arguments
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New biofuels the solution? Two subsidiary arguments “Transport sector has to do its share” “ It is good for Agricultural employment ” Not very convincing but we are stuck with it! Not very convincing but we are stuck with it! 2% increasing to 5,75% Ambition 10% in 2020 Biofuels maintain inefficiencies of current transport system
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New biofuels the solution? Climate Combustion of biomass = 5 * more efficient Rapeseed oil, palm oil and sugar only lead to marginal CO 2 reduction because the rest of the plant is burned to make electricity From climate viewpoint Biofuels only marginal help Destruction of Rainforest is deathblow to climate (James Lovelock)
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New biofuels the solution? Political reality, yet serious concerns 1.Moral 2.Climate 3.Environment 4.Biodiversity 5.Logistics 6.Product quality 7.Economy 8.Lisbon accord
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New biofuels the solution? Morality of biofuels 18 million people die each year from malnutrition Food requirements increase by 50 % till 2020 Biofuel demand increases food prices Is turning food into fuel a moral proposition’? Is “our” car more important than “their” food ?
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New biofuels the solution? Source: IHT 11-04-2008
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New biofuels the solution? Environment Rapeseed cultivation 100% increase acidification (Senter Novem) Biofuel cultivation leads to Deforestation Higher emissions of greenhouse gases Soil dehydration (CE report) Cultivation of biomass inevitably leads to destruction of natural habitat (Greenpeace) destruction of natural habitat (Greenpeace) Rainforests are the lungs of the planet (Lovelock)
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New biofuels the solution? The logistical quandary Bio ethanol only adds to the Gasoline surplus in EU25; Security of Supply is better achieved by producing bio-diesel (substitute current diesel imports)
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Conventional B.Br. from EU sources cannot reach the 5,75 % target Based on WtW A modest increase in production capability is possible through general agricultural yield improvement
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New biofuels the solution? Product Quality EtOH in gasoline Vapour pressure Water solubility Sensitivity of some plastic couplings Blend characteristics Hence potential preference for ETBE FAME “strange components” (Cl, P) Lack of thermal and oxidation stability Dilution of Lubricating oil Hence limitation to 5 % for time being
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New biofuels the solution? Economy First generation Biofuels heavily uncompetitive hence subsidised Is there still a learning curve ? Does first generation open the way for the second generation?? Can subsidies be stopped ?
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New biofuels the solution? Squaring the circle
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New biofuels the solution? Sustainability criteria New biofuels the solution? Sustainability criteria 3 “hard” criteria Reduction of GHG emissions No damage to environment No destruction of biodiversity 3 “soft” criteria No competition with food chain Increase in welfare (GDP) No decrease in well being (Labour conditions)
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New biofuels the solution? Who will make them? How to stimulate R. & D. ? Will there be enough ? Is this the best use of biomass ?
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New biofuels the solution? New biofuels New technologies should lead to “learning curve ” Lignocellulose fermentation (but logistical problem remains) Biomass Hydrogenation Biomass intake into refineries Biomass gasification Algae Full scale development requires another 10 years
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“Sense” of Second Generation Based on WtW
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Conclusion Current biofuels make no sense But for time being are here to stay ! New generation might make sense In line with Lisbon Meet “sustainability” criteria Reduce NOx and Pm emissions No product quality problems Reduce EU logistical imbalance BUT Better things to do with Biomass More innovative solutions to reduce Transport CO 2 Will it be cost competitive?
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