Biofuels, a key component in the transition to decarbonisation, are liquid or gaseous fuels made from biomass. From biodiesel to biogas, biofuels provide high octane efficiency, 30% higher than gasoline in the case of ethanol, as well as a significantly reduced greenhouse gas profile.
At CFP Energy, we’re market leaders in supplying biofuels, including HVO and FAME. To see how biofuels can reduce your emissions, contact one of our biofuel specialists today.
What is Biofuel?
Biogas is produced from a variety of crops, organisms and waste materials. These consist of plant matter – such as soybeans, sugarcane, rapeseed and straw, industrial waste, including food processing and brewery wastewater - and photosynthetic organisms, from algae to cyanobacteria.
Once these materials have been sorted, they are then refined for industrial and commercial use. Biofuels extracted from plant matter go through fermentation and transesterification; biofuels made from animal waste go through anaerobic digestion and transesterification, while algae and cyanobacteria-derived fuels go through biochemical conversion.
Unveiling the Power of Nature: Different Types of Biofuel
Bioethanol
Bioethanol is primarily made from plant-based sources. These include common crops such as starch, corn and sugarcane.
Its advantages include:
- Clean-burning
Ethanol alcohol burns very cleanly. So much so, the CO₂ released when burning bioethanol is equal to the amount of CO₂ absorbed by the plants that go into its production.
- Energy Security
Because it can be easily produced, bioethanol can increase energy security. It does this by reducing a country's reliance on fossil fuel and other energy imports.
- Renewability
Bioethanol is made from renewable sources, such as food crops. This means that bioethanol doesn’t suffer from the scarcity problems associated with fossil fuels.
- Reduced GHGs
On a life cycle analysis basis, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reduced by 88% and 108% where bioethanol is based on cellulosic feedstocks by switching to ethanol.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Primarily used in marine vessels and road fleets, it's significantly more sustainable than conventional diesel.
Its advantages include:
- Clean Air
Biodiesel produces significantly fewer harmful emissions compared to ordinary diesel, helping to mitigate or eliminate health problems related to poor air quality.
- Supply Chain Resilience,
With steady global uptake and with the ability to be blended with ordinary diesel, biodiesels like B20, B100, HVO and FAME, offer a versatile and low-carbon solution.
- Carbon Neutrality
Because the CO₂ released by biodiesel is roughly equal to the CO₂ absorbed by the feedstocks used to make it, biodiesel operates within a closed-carbon cycle.
- Fossil Fuel Reduction
Transport is responsible for around 23% of energy-related CO₂ emissions. As an energy source ideal for use in transport, biodiesel can significantly reduce this figure.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel composed of organic matter, such as food waste or animal manure, that has been broken down by anaerobic digestion.
Its advantages include:
- Multi-use
Biogas is multi-use. Used in everything from power generation, heating, cooking, vehicles, and waste management, it's one of the most versatile energy sources on the market.
- Waste Reduction
By diverting organic materials from landfills and waste treatment plants and converting them into a valuable energy source, biogas helps significantly reduce waste.
- Job Growth
Requiring special plants, processing facilities, and distribution networks, biogas has already created conservable job opportunities, as well as economic growth.
- Abating Emissions
Biogas supports net-zero through abating CO₂ emissions. By reducing the amount of CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere and capturing methane from waste, biogas supports a closed carbon cycle.
Emerging Biofuels
The task of identifying energy-efficient fuels made from biomass is an ongoing process. At present, biohydrogen and biomethanol stand out as the most promising alternatives to existing biofuels on the market. Because biohydrogen is made principally from water, an abundant biological source that contains few impurities, it represents a “clean fuel”. Biomethanol, meanwhile, due to its low-intensity harvesting of biomass, also offers the potential for enhanced fuel efficiency due to its high octane number.
Biofuel: The Future of Sustainable Transport
With the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), mandating the transition to renewables, biofuels are set to replace traditional fuels in the future.
RED II has already set a 14% target as the amount of renewable energy source road and rail transport must meet by 2030, while the RTFO, following suit, has implemented a progressive, year-on-year increase in its obligations. This means that biofuels, whether as physical fuel or as separate environmental attributes, are sure to evolve into energy mainstays.
At CFP Energy, we are committed to supporting the transport sector's transition toward renewable fuels. From biogas to biofuels and the feedstocks that underpin their development and production, we stand at the forefront of the transition towards safer and cleaner fuels.
To access biofuels and start decarbonising your sector contact our carbon team today.
