Plant-based biofuels- controversies and potential

As we move to a society of renewable energy, there are many options to be considered. Different sources are better suited to certain geographical locations, meaning that the future of energy production will most likely be a diverse energy matrix.

One option, that is rather questionable, is the use of plant-based biofuels. Plant-based biofuels take many forms and can be generated from a great variety of processes. They can be made from wood products, crop waste, animal waste or crops that are grown specifically for generation. These feedstocks create energy through heat, electricity and liquid fuels. Unfortunately, the use of the term ‘biofuels’ is far too generic and guilty in many cases of greenwashing.

The most common biofuels you will find in the mix are bioethanol and biodiesel. These biofuels are alternatives to petrol and diesel in the transport sector but can also produce thermal energy and electricity. Bioethanol is produced using crops that yield large amounts of fermentable sugar, such as sugar cane, whilst biodiesel is produced using vegetable oils from crops, like oilseed rape.

In a world, where people are starving, and innovation to global food systems is a necessity to ensure food security with growing ecological pressure, using a food crop to produce energy is not the best idea. These biofuel crops require large amounts of land, water and other resources. If this form of agriculture was to expand, it could drive deforestation and further land-use change, causing devastating consequences for our already fragile environment.

At present, the 2 most established producers of biofuels are the US and Brazil. Sadly, they are giving biofuels a bad name. Both make bioethanol, though Brazil uses sugarcane, and the US uses corn. Brazil also uses oil palm plantations to produce biodiesel. These crops obviously present the same environmental concerns as all staple-crop monoculture, with palm oil plantations still prevailing as a major cause of deforestation. However, the primary disadvantage of these industries is their competition with food security.

Does this mean that we should write off plant-based biofuels? Certainly not. This is just another case of economic consideration outweighing sustainability concerns in our flawed system. For some countries, the appeal of biofuels is not to greenify their economy, but to avoid being subjected to the fluctuating prices of fossil fuel derived oil. Whilst this may be the case, we must also be sympathetic to the fact that energy poverty is prevalent and attempts to generate energy cheaply are understandable intentions of any government.

So, where do these plant-based biofuels fit in? Well, firstly, biofuel production needs to be decoupled from food crops. This leaves us with the option of generating biofuels from waste products and inedible plants that are grown on non-arable land.

For bioethanol, there is promising research being carried out on willow and miscanthus grass. Miscanthus grass can be grown on marginal lands, making it non-competitive with food crops. Willow trees are high in fermentable sugars and can be grown as perennials, meaning that a part of the tree remains all year round and doesn’t require replanting.

There is also favourable research on croton Megalocarpus tree seeds to make biodiesel. These trees grow in East Africa and attract wildlife. The micro-industry, EcoFuels Kenya, are already producing fuel via this means.

As you can see, there is likely a place for biofuels in the future of energy production, but we must be strategic in their implementation. We must also be vigilant when it comes to greenwashing.

Creating a green economy with a sustainable food system is a great concern for most vegans. This will require changes to agriculture and energy production in tangent with one another, as 2 of the most important sectors for human survival.

Article written by Aisley Geraghty- United Kingdom