THE BIOFUELS DATABASE

Biofuels

The global energy market provides humans with about 370 exajoules of energy per year, which is equivalent to about 170 million barrels of oil per day (Box 1) or about 11.73 terrawatts (TW) per hour [1]. Approximately 95% of this energy comes from fossil fuels. Additionally, the International Energy Agency suggests that direct combustion of plant biomass provides about one-third of the energy ne...

The Brazilian biofuels industry

Ethanol is a biofuel that is used as a replacement for approximately 3% of the fossil-based gasoline consumed in the world today. Most of this biofuel is produced from sugarcane in Brazil and corn in the United States. We present here the rationale for the ethanol program in Brazil, its present 'status' and its perspectives. The environmental benefits of the program, particularly the contributi...

Battle of the Biofuels

Biofuels and the environment.

Biofuels: The European Experience

INTRODUCTION The trend towards national use of biorenewable resources is progressing with ever increasing impetus, involving all aspects of industrial production from biolubricants to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to energy crops. Rate of change is variable according to geographical location and strength of political support or underpinning for initiatives or concordats. Common Agricultural Pol...