Overview

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• Source: Microbioz India


• Date: 28 Dec,2024

Given the context of the society today, energy consumption is a hotly contested issue as even more focus is put onto having a greener means of powering transportation, industries and homes.

The debate is mostly centered around two major contestants, bio fuels and fossil fuels, but how do they rate in comparison? Here is what one needs to know.

Fossil Fuels- A Definition

Fossil Fuels include coal, oil and natural gas and they all come from the fossilized remains of ancient plants and animals that have been buried under the earth for millions of years. These fuels have been the backbone of economies for centuries, providing high energy density that is suitable for considerable amounts of industrial and transportation requirements.

Benefits of Fossil Fuels:

1. High energy output with great reliability.
2. Well established extraction, refining and distribution channels.
3. Lowered prices owing to mass production and globalization.

Detriments of Fossil Fuels:

1. Are limited and cannot be replaced.
2. Excessive GHG emissions, influxing climate change.
3. Harmful to the ecosystem- oil spills and destruction of natural habitats.

Biofuels – A Definition

Biofuels come from organic matter such as plants, algae and animal waste the most common forms include ethanol that mostly comes from corn and sugarcane and biodiesel which is derived from vegetable oils and fats. On the other hand, biofuels are renewable and sustainable.

Increased energy security and reduced dependence on foreign imports are among the potential benefits that biofuels will bring in the long run, but the main biofuels’ benefits include:

1. Being replenished more easily as compared to fossil fuels.
2. Absorbing carbon levels during plant growth thus diminishing the carbon levels emitted.
3. Lower levels of dependency ratios on overseas crude oil.

While there are numerous benefits associated with biofuels, there are also some disadvantages that the biofuels will have to deal with which include:

1. A need for larger quantities which is a result of having a vastly lower energy density than fossil fuels.
2. As the biofuels compete with monoculture farming, this increases the prices of food.
3. The environmental uplifting cuts may, in the onlooker’s view be negated by changing the course of a cintus and cutting down forests.

Since fossil fuels are used to produce a lot of emissions including Carbon Dioxide during production, they are major factors in the increase in global warming. Unlike biofuels, fossil fuels just add more of these emissions whereas biofuels are able to be seen as carbon neutral because they have a lot lesser emissions as plants are grown which absorb carbon dioxide emissions emitted during combustion. However, to grow biofuels, the land transformation sometimes nullifies the advantages.

Because the supply chain for fossil fuels has been in place for decades, it is easier and cheaper to get a hold of them. Investments on the other hand will biofuels require a lot more money in technology and facilities to be able to produce a lot more. The utilization of subsidies and incentives for biofuels are helping close this gap but it is not easy to integrate fully.

The Energy Future

Due to global warming implications, the demand for biofuel-based energy has increased over the years. Researchers are looking into the use of biofuels produced from non-edible plants and agricultural waste which can be more effective and environmentally friendly. Focusing on the future, the use of clean technologies is becoming a necessity, what given the fact that the fossil fuel market continues to grow.

Conclusion

The discussion surrounding fuels based on bio and fossil is extremely intricate as proponents on either side of the spectrum have different kill factors. Research of biofuel shows that it is a future hope as the world solves fossil fuel intricacy. It is evident that in the foreseeable future the integration of newer technologies into the energy sphere will market the combination of renewable and conventional plans to be able to fulfill the energy needs.