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 separate guide, we provide more information about what bioenergy and biofuels are.
Potential Pros
Some Countries Are Increasing Their Use Of Bioenergy Or Biofuel
May Be Renewable In Some Ways
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 In Some Ways
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Have Local Economic & Social Benefits
May Provide A Supplemental Or Additional Income Source For Farmers
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
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) will need to be assessed individually.
Potential Pros Of Bioenergy & Biofuels
Some Countries Are Increasing Their Use Of Bioenergy Or Biofuel
Some countries across the world use more bioenergy & biofuels compared to others, and some are committed to increasing the share of bioenergy or biofuels they use.
The US might be an example of a country that has increased their use of biofuels in the recent past.
eia.gov indicates that ‘Production and consumption of biofuels in the United States have generally increased each year since the early 1980s’
May Be Renewable In Some Ways
There will always be organic matter and waste to convert to energy
Renewal of these materials takes as long as each type of organic matter takes to develop, or as long as waste takes to be generated
This might make some types of biomass and bioenergy renewable
This is in comparison to fossil fuels for example that are classified as finite and non renewable
Biomass Can Be Abundant
Biomass material can be abundant and readily available in many regions of the world
In lesser developed countries and regions, wood and other biomass has been burnt for heating or energy for centuries, because other types of energy or electricity aren’t available
Biomass Absorbs Carbon
Biomass absorbs carbon from the atmosphere
When that biomass is burnt or converted into a useable form of energy, it releases that carbon back into the atmosphere.
Some reports indicate this forms a carbon neutral cycle.
But, other reports indicate that carbon can be released at other stages of the bioenergy or biofuel lifecycle, and biomass may not be carbon neutral.
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 than fossil fuels like coal and oil, where drilling and mining, and other activities and infrastructure are 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 onto consumers via cheaper energy prices
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Increase Energy Independence For Some Countries In Some Ways
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 energy independence in some ways.
Local Sourcing Of Bioenergy & Biofuels May Have Local Economic & Social Benefits
Examples might include:
– Contributing to local economies
– Providing local incomes and employment
– 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 …’
May Provide A Supplemental Or Additional Income Source For Farmers
renewableenergymagazine.com and ucsusa.org (paraphrased) mentions how farmers and rural landowners can make money growing crops/producing feedstocks for biomass power facilities (to be used as biofuels)
Producing Biomass For Bioenergy And Biofuels Has A Range Of Potential Uses
For example, some of the uses of biomass might include but aren’t limited to:
– It might be processed and refined 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
– It might be used to create steam to power turbines to create electricity
– It might be used for bio-based chemicals and bio-products
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 notes that biomass synthesis gas (or syngas) ‘[can] … be used to replace natural gas in a combined-cycle gas turbine’
– Bioproduct Production Benefitting Biofuels
Something else energy.gov points out, is that (paraphrased) 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 might have been disposed of, but might instead be utilized for energy or fuel.
Biofuels May Lower The Carbon Intensity Of Some Transportation
This might be the case where they fully or partially replace petroleum based transport fuels
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, & Also Some Other Forms Of Renewable Energy
For example, energy.gov may indicate that (paraphrased) there might be:
– A sustainability benefit where bio power substitutes carbon based fuels at power plants and reduces the carbon intensity of electricity generation
– A practical benefit where bio power might increase the reliability (and flexibility) of the power grid where it replaces intermittent renewable energy
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 ultimately sacrifice food production land uses in some instances.
However, energy.gov references one report potentially implying this might not be the case, at least in the US:
‘… 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
Examples might include being more cost effective, being higher yielding and having higher speed of growth and production rates, not compromising food production, and 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
[For example, in 2015, a new bioenergy sewage treatment process aimed at developing countries was under trial] (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
Growing 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.
If land has to be converted, there can be deforestation and land clearing to consider.
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 (paraphrased) 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 or 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.
For example, wind and solar might be more efficiency converted into electricity as a comparison
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 other energy sources.
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
16. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/emily-folk/the-many-economic-benefits-of-renewable-energy-20190312
17. https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/public-benefits-of-renewable-power
