Inflation is driving up gas prices, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine is reducing global oil supplies. Despite the fact that gasoline prices have begun to drop in recent months, the situation has served as a stark reminder of the world's reliance on fossil fuels and due to that, biofuels have been gaining popularity.
Biofuels are fuels produced from the breakdown of biomass, unlike the natural decay of organic plant and animal remains that are required for the formation of fossil fuels. Biofuels can be formed much faster than fossil fuels.
Although fossil fuels are rising in price due to their scarcity, currently, biofuels are still significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. They are more than twice as expensive as fossil fuels. "The feedstock inputs you need for biodiesel are more expensive than petroleum is," said Jones Prather, an MIT professor, "On top of that, the processes for making the fuel aren't yet efficient enough so that you can generate it very cheaply."
Currently, biofuels are mainly used as fuels for transportation in the form of ethanol and biodiesel, but they can also be used for heating and generating electricity. After all, this is only the first generation of biofuels. If we decide to use biofuels more often, we will make great strides in this field and I am sure we will be able to optimise the usage of biofuels.
We know that biofuels are a viable alternative to fossil fuels, but we still need some time for it to be a feasible option for all. Though I am sure that the day is not far away when biofuels become a major energy source for the world and create a better environment for the next generation to live in.
Bibliography:
N.A. “U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Biofuels Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).19 July 2022. Web. 14 Dec 2022
Fendt, Lindsay. “Why Aren't Biofuels More Prevalent?” MIT Climate Portal. 20 Sep 2021. Web. 14 Dec, 2022.
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