What are biofuels?
Biofuels are liquid fuels that are made from organic materials, such as plants and algae. These can serve as an alternative to fossil fuels, which are the source of the more traditional fuels that we’re used to, such as gasoline.
How are biofuels made?
Biofuels are typically made through fermentation or other chemical reactions.
Ethanol, one of the most common biofuels – it’s probably in the gasoline you use in your car! – is made from fermenting plants, most often corn.
Another specific kind of biofuel known as biodiesel serves as an alternative for traditional diesel, and it is usually created by using a solvent (a liquid that dissolves other substances) to extract oil from organic materials and then adding alcohol to change the oil’s properties into those more suitable for a fuel.
After these processes are completed, the products are refined in order to meet industry standards, making them a safe substitute for other liquid fuels.
In contrast, fossil fuels are made of the remains of living organisms from millions of years ago, so there is only a finite supply, as opposed to the renewable nature of biofuels.
What are the benefits of using biofuels?
Since biofuels are made from organic matter such as plants and algae, this means that they are a renewable resource: even once the supply of biofuel runs out, more can still be produced.
Fossil fuels, on the other hand, exist in a fixed amount, and once they are depleted, they cannot be replenished, making them unsustainable.
How do biofuels compare with other renewable resources?
Although wind, solar, and other alternative energy sources are currently used on a much larger scale, biofuels complement these sources to further facilitate the switch to renewable energy.
Additionally, they solve a problem that other renewable energy sources cannot fix: the need for liquid fuels. Wind and solar power are excellent for energy, but they can’t replace gasoline, diesel, and other fuels that are needed in our day-to-day lives.
Why do biofuels matter?
As a renewable alternative to traditional liquid fuels, biofuels hold a valuable position amongst other renewable resources. When used in conjunction with other alternatives to fossil fuels, biofuels can enable the use of only renewable resources and propel us into a more eco-friendly, sustainable existence.
Sources/Further Reading:
“Biofuel Basics.” Energy.Gov, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics.
“DOE Explains...Biofuels.” Energy.Gov, www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsbiofuels#:~:text=Biofuels%20are%20liquid%20fuels%20produced,and%20other%20alternative%20energy%20sources.
Nunez, Christina. “Biofuels, from Ethanol to Biodiesel, Facts and Information.” Environment, 3 May 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/biofuel?loggedin=true&rnd=1688267560630.