How many of us use bio-fuels on a regular basis or even at all? That is a pertinent question as we look at driving sustainability issues overall locally and globally.
Bio-fuels are fuels derived from renewable biological materials such as ethanol from corn kernels, corn stover, perennial grasses, woody biomass, and algae, and diesel from soy beans.
Currently available bio- fuels are made from sugar crops (sugarcane, sugar-beet), starch crops (corn, potatoes), oil-seed crops (soybean, sunflower, rapeseed), and animal fats.
Sugar and starch crops are converted through a fermentation process to form bio-alcohols, including ethanol, butanol, and propanol. Oils and animal fats can be processed into bio-diesel. Ethanol is the most widely used bio-alcohol fuel.
US as a whole has gradually increased the consumption of bio-fuels across board but there is still much more to be done.
source:www.statista.com
Everyone can contribute to sustainability through the use of bio-fuels, which aids the overall sustainability effort and which has the following added benefits:
- Energy efficiency (Bio-fuels are more energy efficient vs conventional fuels)
- Health benefits(Less pollutants)
- Bio-fuels refineries are cleaner(Less pollutants)
- Fuel economy (More bang for your buck!)
- Reduction in foreign oil dependence!
- Economic development
- Higher energy performance
- Positive economic impact
- Reduction in greenhouse gases
So, the question remains…………… How do you contribute to bio-fuel consumption?
A Sustainable LIFE 