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Waste Biofuels Tipped To Lead Energy Transition

 

A leading energy consultancy and research body has predicted that waste biofuels will be a “key driver” in the transition away from fossil fuels towards a circular economy.

Wood McKenzie has published a report stating that the growth of biofuel “hit a stumbling block earlier this century” due to governments limiting the use of food-based feedstock that could be turned into biofuel, in order to avoid food shortages.

However, new developments in “alternative non-food feedstocks and technologies” provide a new opportunity for major progress. Among the possibilities it raised are the use of household waste, agricultural waste and recycled waste plastics. 

“Virtually none of this material is used as feedstock today, but if technology delivers, it could supply an additional 20 million barrels per day of liquid biofuel by 2050,” the report noted.  

Wood McKenzie’s calculation is that this would meet a quarter of global liquid fuel demand at the time. It argues that with electric vehicles taking over the roads, if the 20 million barrels a day target is reached there will be “little room” for crude oil.

The report paints a highly positive picture of biofuel and its potential and it is true that such a technological development, like that of the lithium battery industry needed to power cars, may be driven by necessity, ensuring it gets lots of investment and support from governments.  

It will also provide a need for more manufacturers to provide equipment like tank breather valves as the biofuels industry makes the step from being a niche sector to a mass producer of energy for a range of uses.

Although nobody is proposing the establishment of biofuel use as a sole solution to all future energy needs - other sources like wind and solar will also play their role - one of the Channel Islands is set to establish total biofuel dependence by the end of 2023.

Herm took the step after its ferry service began using biofuels last year and has now made a commitment to using it in everything from motor vehicles to boilers. The island’s population currently use 400,000 litres of fuel a year.