In the guide below, we outline the potential pros and cons of bioenergy and biofuels derived from biomass.
We also briefly discuss some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of newer generation algae biomass for biofuels.
Summary – Pros & Cons Of Bioenergy & Biofuels
Firstly, What Is Bioenergy, & What Are Biofuels?
In this guide, we provide more information about what bioenergy and biofuels are.
Potential Pros
Some Countries Are Increasing Their Use Of Bioenergy Or Biofuel
Can Be Renewable
Biomass Can Be Abundant
Biomass Absorbs Carbon
Energy From Biomass Can Be Cost Effective In Some Ways
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Increase Energy Independence For Some Countries
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Have Local Economic & Social Benefits
Producing Biomass For Bioenergy And Biofuels Has A Range Of Potential Uses
Biomass Production For Different End Uses Has A Range Of Miscellaneous Benefits
Waste Can Be Used As A Biomass Source
Biofuels May Lower Carbon Intensity Of Some Transportation
Bioenergy May Have Multiple Benefits Over Both Fossil Fuel Energy & Some Other Forms Of Renewable Energy
Growing Biomass May Not Compromise Food Production Or Other Land Uses In Some Countries
Third Generation Biofuels, Like Algae, Might Offer Additional Benefits Compared To First & Second Generations
There May Be New Developments In Bioenergy & Biofuels In The Future
Potential Cons
Some Countries Don’t Use Bioenergy Or Biofuels As Major Energy Or Fuel Source Yet
May Not Be One Of The Better ‘Renewable Energy’ Options Right Now
Growing Some Types Of Biomass Has Both A Potential Sustainability Footprint, & Environmental Impact To Consider
Biofuel Products Still Have An Emissions Footprint
Burning Wood Releases Smoke & Potential Air Pollutants
Some Argue That Growing Crops Specifically For Bioenergy Or Biofuels Is Not The Most Efficient Or Best Use Of Resources
May Compete With Other Uses For Land
Might Be More Time & Cost Intensive Than Some Other Energy Sources
Some Types Of Bioenergy May Not Be Cost Effective Or Economically Feasible In Some Ways
May Involve The Inefficient Conversion Of Energy
Some Criticise The Policies & Programs In Place To Increase Use Of Biofuels
Might Need Further Improvement In Some Areas
*Note
The pros and cons in this guide are generalisations.
There are different types, technologies and products of bioenergy and biofuels, and each has their own factors and variables that impact the final individual set of pros and cons.
For example, some biofuel feedstocks may have different sustainability pros and cons to others, and this is something that wikipedia.org discusses, and gives example of with different types of feedstock, the types of land they use, their end emissions reductions or increases, and so on
Each energy project and situation (in different countries and cities) should be analysed individually.
Having said that, some broad principles about potential pros and cons may still generally apply.
Potential Pros Of Bioenergy & Biofuels
Some Countries Are Increasing Their Use Of Bioenergy Or Biofuel
Some countries in the world use more bioenergy and biofuels compared to others, and some are committed to increasing the share of bioenergy or biofuels they use.
eia.gov indicates that ‘Production and consumption of biofuels in the United States have generally increased each year since the early 1980s’
Biofuel blends including ethanol for example are reasonably common in some countries like the US.
Can Be Renewable
There will always be organic matter and waste to convert to energy
Renewal takes as long as each type of organic matter takes to develop, or as long as waste takes to be generated
This is in comparison to fossil fuels for example that are classified as finite
Biomass Can Be Abundant
Biomass can be abundant and widely available in many regions of the world
In lesser developed countries and regions, they have been burning wood, and other biomass for centuries, because other types of energy or electricity aren’t available
Biomass Absorbs Carbon
Biomass absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, and when that biomass is burnt or converted into a useable form of energy, it releases that carbon back into the atmosphere.
So, the CO2 that is released is what was absorbed initially.
Having said that, carbon can be released at other stages of the bioenergy or biofuel lifecycle.
Energy From Biomass Can Be Cost Effective In Some Ways
Some types of bioenergy harnessed from biomass may be more cost effective in some ways, compared to coal and oil (where drilling for oil or creating gas pipelines is required).
Some reports indicate that some types of bioenergy cost about 1/3 less than fossil fuels doing the same job, and sometimes that cost saving is passed on via cheaper energy prices to consumers
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Increase Energy Independence For Some Countries
If countries are currently relying on foreign oil, gas or coal for example, local sourcing of bioenergy or biofuels may decrease foreign energy and fuel dependence, and increase domestic independence.
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Have Local Economic & Social Benefits
Like for example contributing to local economies, and providing local incomes, employment, and other economic and social benefits.
energy.gov references one report that indicates: ‘… One billion tons of biomass could … Contribute 1.1 million jobs to the U.S. economy … [and] Keep $260 billion in the United States …’
Producing Biomass For Bioenergy And Biofuels Has A Range Of Potential Uses
Biomass can be:
– Processed to create biofuel for vehicles (biofuels can replace a certain amount of petroleum in biofuel blends, and, some biofuel products may even be able to be used in fuel cells)
– Used to create steam to power turbines to create electricity
– Used for bio-based chemicals and bioproducts
energy.gov illustrates this in their report
Biomass Production For Different End Uses Has A Range Of Miscellaneous Benefits
Which may include but aren’t limited to:
– Biomass Being Able To Partially Replace Coal, & Also Natural Gas For Power Generation
energy.gov notes that biomass can partially replace some coal in existing power plant furnaces, and also biomass that ‘synthesis gas (or syngas) … be used to replace natural gas in a combined-cycle gas turbine’
– Bioproduct Production Benefitting Biofuels
Something else energy.gov points out, is that biomass can be used to make different bioproducts, and not only can biorefineries help produce both bioproducts and biofuels, but, ‘… Revenue generated from bioproducts also offers added value, improving the economics of biorefinery operations and creating more cost-competitive biofuels’
Waste Can Be Used As A Biomass Source
Waste can come from a range of sources and in a range of forms, such as:
– Wood waste
– Agricultural waste
– Human Waste
– Animal waste
– Municipal waste
– Industrial waste
– Plus, more
This waste would have been disposed of, but is instead utilized for energy or fuel.
Biofuels May Lower Carbon Intensity Of Some Transportation
energy.gov indicates: ‘Renewable transportation fuels that are functionally equivalent to petroleum fuels lower the carbon intensity of our vehicles and airplanes.’
Bioenergy May Have Multiple Benefits Over Both Fossil Fuel Energy & Some Other Forms Of Renewable Energy
energy.gov indicates there might be both sustainability and practical electricity generation benefits:
Biopower can offset the need for carbon fuels burned in power plants, thus lowering the carbon intensity of electricity generation.
[And] Unlike some forms of intermittent renewable energy, biopower can increase the flexibility of electricity generation and enhance the reliability of the electric grid.
Growing Biomass May Not Compromise Food Production Or Other Land Uses In Some Countries
Some reports indicate that growing biomass specifically for bioenergy and biofuels may compete with and sacrifice food production land uses in some instances.
However, energy.gov references one report that indicates: ‘… the United States has the potential to produce 1 billion dry tons of non-food biomass resources annually by 2040 and still meet demands for food, feed, and fiber’
Third Generation Biofuels, Like Algae, Might Offer Additional Benefits Compared To First & Second Generations
Third generation biofuels are being developed from algae.
Algae based fuels might have new benefits that previous generations of biofuels didn’t, such as being more cost effective, being higher yielding and having higher speed of growth and production rates, not compromising food production, plus other benefits
From efficientgreenpower.com:
… algae-derived biomass … is produced at rates five to ten times faster than other types of land-based agriculture, such as corn and soy, and it can be fermented to produce biofuels such as ethanol, butanol, and methane, as well as biodiesel and hydrogen
There May Be New Developments In Bioenergy & Biofuels In The Future
Third generation algal and algae based biofuels may have additional room to develop, and there may be potential in new types of biofuel production.
One example might be algae being used for sustainable aviation fuel in the future
As of 2015, a new bioenergy sewage treatment process aimed at developing countries is under trial; the Omni Processor is a self-sustaining process which uses sewerage solids as fuel in a process to convert waste water into drinking water, with surplus electrical energy being generated for export (efficientgreenpower.com)
bbc.com also mentions that successful pilot projects in the Ivory Coast (where much of the world’s cocoa production happens) have lead to building a ‘… biomass plant which will run on cocoa waste’ that can ‘meet the electricity needs of 1.7 million people’
efficientgreenpower.com indicates that ‘The future is moving towards algal, or algae-derived biomass …’
Potential Cons Of Bioenergy & Biofuels
Some Countries Don’t Use Bioenergy Or Biofuels As Major Energy Or Fuel Source Yet
There’s still major countries in the world that get most of their energy from fossil fuels, and some are prioritizing renewable energy like solar or wind over bioenergy.
The US for example doesn’t currently get a large % of it’s primary energy from bioenergy.
On a worldwide scale, it’s a similar picture, as iea.org indicates that ‘Bioenergy accounts for around 10% of the world’s primary energy demand today’
Biofuels can be more common, but, they tend to be biofuel blends that are still used with fossil fuel products.
So, the total use of biomass derived fuels may not be as great as fossil fuel derived fuel.
May Not Be One Of The Better ‘Renewable Energy’ Options Right Now
Some reports indicate that compared to renewable solar and water energy sources for example, biomass is inefficient and under-researched.
Growing Some Types Of Biomass Has Both A Potential Sustainability Footprint, & Environmental Impact To Consider
The growing of some biomass, such as dedicated crops, might have the following sustainability and environmental impact considerations:
– Requires Resources
Such as land, water, energy, agricultural inputs like fertilizer and pesticides, and so on
Irrigation in water scarce areas might be a problem for growing biomass.
– Potential Environmental Impact
Agriculture in general has it’s own environmental footprint to consider
For crops used for biomass, there can be carbon emissions (on farms, and off site with the production of fertiliser), deforestation & land clearing, and land and soil degradation.
Some reports indicate that dedicated biomass can rate near the top of the emissions list just behind some types of fossil fuel energy generation
– Other Sustainability Issues
It may not be as sustainable of a technology as some think it is.
Biofuel Products Still Have An Emissions Footprint
Biofuels such as ethanol may release black carbon, and biofuels still have GHG missions like petroleum based fuels might.
Burning Wood Releases Smoke & Potential Air Pollutants
Wood smoke can contain air pollutants
But, if wood is not burned completely, it also emits carbon monoxide and particulate matter, which are common air pollutants.
This might be an issue for developing nations that still use wood as a form of bioenergy for heating and cooking
Some Argue That Growing Crops Specifically For Bioenergy Or Biofuels Is Not The Most Efficient Or Best Use Of Resources
Some reports indicate that these resources might better be allocated elsewhere, or, that crops might be used directly as food instead
May Compete With Other Uses For Land
wikipedia.org indicates that some biofuel feedstocks may not compete for land with other land uses, but other reports argue this point and say they do. It may depend on the feedstock being grown, and the individual biofuel feedstock producer
Might Be More Time & Cost Intensive Than Some Other Energy Sources
In the case of biomass grown for bioenergy, there’s time and costs involved in planting, harvesting, and of course the resources used for these processes.
Compare that to solar of wind energy for example, which have basic maintenance, cleaning and sometimes repair costs to consider once set up.
Some Types Of Bioenergy May Not Be Cost Effective Or Economically Feasible In Some Ways
Some second generation biomass sources (waste and other types of biomass) may also have economic feasibility issues.
May Involve The Inefficient Conversion Of Energy
Energy has to be converted over several stages from biomass, into bioenergy and biofuel products.
Biomass requires two stages of energy conversion – the first for the resources used to grow the biomass, and the second for the combustion of the biomass grown and harvested.
This process of energy conversion may be inefficient compared to some other energy conversion process.
One example might be converting a fossil fuel like petroleum into gasoline
Another example might be renewable energy like solar and wind – which is directly converted into electricity
Some Criticise The Policies & Programs In Place To Increase Use Of Biofuels
eia.gov provide more details about some of the measures currently in place to support the use of biofuels over fossil fuel fuels
Whilst some argue this is good to decrease emissions, some argue that the policies, programs, tax credits, and other government tools may cover up some of the inefficiencies, impracticalities, or economic feasibility issues of some bioenergy or biofuel operations
Might Need Further Improvement In Some Areas
According to some reports, some of the major challenges or limitations to do with bioenergy and biofuels may not have been addressed yet.
One example may be cost in comparison to some fossil fuels.
Until these areas are are addressed, other types of energy and fuel may be more appealing.
Pros & Cons Specifically Of Algae Biofuels
We mentioned algae biofuels in the guide above, along with some of the potential benefits.
It’s worth mentioning that algae are an alternative feedstock for biofuels to both fossil fuels, and also edible crop biomass, and non edible biomass.
Algae biofuels are still being researched and developed in some ways to decrease capital and operating costs, and make algae fuel production commercially viable.
Sources
1. http://energyinformative.org/biomass-energy-pros-and-cons/
2. http://efficientgreenpower.com/biomass-energy
3. https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/biomass-energy-advantages-disadvantages/
4. https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/alternative-energy-sources/
5. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=biomass_home
6. http://www.alternative-energy-geek.com/problems-with-biomass.shtml
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellet_fuel
8. http://energyfromwasteandwood.weebly.com/generations-of-biofuels.html
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_biofuel
10. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210607-a-chocolatey-sustainable-alternative-to-fossil-fuels
11. https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-basics
12. https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biopower-basics
13. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biofuels/
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel
15. https://www.iea.org/reports/outlook-for-biogas-and-biomethane-prospects-for-organic-growth/an-introduction-to-biogas-and-biomethane
