Will Biofuels Save the Planet

Biofuels are a recent development, which has seen significant attention recently due to humanity's ever-dwindling supply of natural resources or more specifically our over-dependence on fossil fuels.

This has stemmed a great deal of scientific research into the issue of alternative energy and bio fuels have been seen as a potentially environmentally and affordable way for us to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

Biofuels is really an umbrella term and it can mean almost anything, from hydroelectric power, which is generated from waves to wind, solar and other forms of generating energy. However, for the most part the term biofuels is used to refer to that of alternative substitutes for petrol, diesel or aircraft fuel.

Up until recently, car manufacturers were highly reluctant to invest significantly in bio fuels research for mainstream vehicles. This was because biofuels are to some extent an unproven technology – we know it works; just there is little research on the overall benefits of biofuels not only to consumers, but also to the planet.

This has meant that until further research has been completed, many industries are reluctant to join in to develop biofuels into a sustainable and realistic form of energy.

Many people argue that the reason car manufacturers have started to adopt biofuels as a technology is mainly because of pressure from the world governments due to the environmental impact that fossil fuels are having on the planet.

Speaking from an environmental perspective, the rate of consumption for fossil fuels has risen exponentially in the past twenty years and as a result, we are now faced with the reality that fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel will run out within the next hundred years.

Bio fuels are a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Many varieties exist and they vary significantly. Some examples are that of biodiesel, which entails growing crops that contain high amounts of natural oil then through a process of hydrogenation or refining a more compatible bio diesel, substitute is created. This creates a biodiesel, which can be mixed with mineral diesel then used in any diesel-powered automobile.

There is a similar process that takes place creating bio-petrol by fermenting crops such as sugar cane. This creates a natural ethanol, which can also be mixed with petrol to create a sort of hybrid biofuel that can be used in any petrol powered vehicle.

However, problems exist due to the properties of ethanol as it is more corrosive than petrol and as a result, it cannot be used in many aircraft or boats.

These are examples of first generation biofuels and due to their nature they may or may not be long-term economically or environmentally viable. Arguments exist that both support the continued use of biofuels and prove they are not the miracle fuel we are waiting for.

The truth is that bio fuels technology is still young. In the next twenty years, we look set to see biofuel research expand exponentially as we get close to the day when fossil fuels are exhausted.

Until that time comes, we will always have a reliance on fossil fuels and we can only hope that biofuels as analternative is a reality within the next twenty years.

(source : http://www.biofuels.co.uk/)

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Love the Environment, Save our Earth

There are many ways that you can help the environment in your daily life.

Its never too late to start changing things for the better. The earth is constantly trying to heal itself from the damage we inflict upon it. The reason this healing process isn't working anymore is because we consume natural resources and pollute the environment faster than the earth can recover from it. When we reduce our consumption and the amount of pollutants we create, the earth will be able to regenerate more easily. Working towards sustainable lifestyles will create a better, healthier environment for everyone, now and in the future - and that the hope lay with each one of us.

Here are few tips you can do to save the environment:-

1. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.

2. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.

3. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.

4. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.

5. Minimize pesticide use and create a wildlife habitat in your yard.

6. Copy and print on both sides of paper.

7. Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.

8. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.

9. Join a carpool or vanpool to get to school.

10. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.

Environmentally friendly actions don't have to be large to have an impact. Consistently reducing the amount of energy, water, and paper our businesses use can make a huge difference, both to the environment and to our pocketbooks. How much paper would you save over the course of a year, for instance, if you always ran doublesided copies? A small easy way to go green - but a big result!

(source:http://www.the-green-campaign.com/)

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Green Technology is the " future " at large

Green technology is a technology that is environment-friendly and ensures that natural resources are conserved. Green technology is the 'future' at large, and the main aim of this innovative technology is to avoid any deterioration to the environmental resources. In a way, green technology helps in reducing the amount of pollution that is being emitted during the process of production and even while consuming the products. It talks about the relationship between human beings and natural resources, and the irreversible hazard that is being caused to the nature and the environment because of the economic activities.

One can quote some examples of environmental hazards such as pollution of rivers, global warming resulting in depletion of ozone layer etc.

Green technology is not only essential for sustainable development in the long-run but there are also short-term advantages of using eco-friendly fuels. India can use 'cradle to cradle' technology, rather than 'cradle to grave', that can be fully re-used.

There are certain crucial issues that need to be focused upon while introducing green technology. For instance, a social awareness about the need for environment-friendly goods and services for production and consumption at a larger scale is required. And, for this, a massive campaign on this issue has to be undertaken. Green technology as a subject needs to be made mandatory in academics. The industrial segment needs to be pushed forward to come out with more environment-friendly production and consumption processes. Various incentives need to be given to the industrial sector, which is ready to innovate and implement green technology.

(source:http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Green-technology)

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What is Bioenergy ?

What is Bioenergy ?

Bioenergy is energy derived from biomass, which is organic material such as wood, plants, or animal wastes. Bioenergy can be used to generate electricity, produce heat, and also for the production of biofuels. The three main areas of bioenergy are:-  

• Biomass
• Biogas
• Biofuels
• Co-firing

   

Biomass

Biomass can be burned to produce electricity, hot water or hot air. Direct combustion is the simplest and most common method of generating energy from biomass. For small-scale applications, the fuel usually takes the form of wood pellets, chips and logs. Wood pellets are a compact form of wood, with low moisture content & high energy density. Larger applications use fuels such a miscanthus and willow, which are short rotation crops.

The energy content of the fuel used depends on the moisture content. A higher moisture level will slow down the combustion process, as the water has to boil off before the fuel burns.

Agricultural Waste

Wood is not the only form of biomass that can be burnt to produce energy. Other forms of biomass produced by farmers are by-products of conventional agricultural activity. They include 'dry' agricultural wastes such as straw, damaged grain or seeds, even animal bedding has been tried as a fuel. These wastes vary in their efficiency, but for farmers who burn these wastes for heat, they can represent a useful and cheap fuel source.

  

'Wet' agricultural wastes such as manure can also be used to generate heat and electricity by a process called Anaerobic Digestion.

  

Electricity

In biomass electricity generation, biomass is combusted and heat is produced, which is then used to generate electricity.

 Biomass Heating

Biomass heating systems produce either hot water or hot air. The biomass is combusted in a furnace, where it heats either air or water. Hot air production is used primarily for space heating, and hot water can be used either as part of a domestic hot water system or for heating systems such as central heating and underfloor heating. In hot water systems, a heat exchange system can be used to heat water tanks etc.

 Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Combined heat and power systems can also be used – the biomass is burned to produce both electricity and heat. CHP is an efficient way to use the biomass, as it uses the waste heat from generation as useful energy.

  

Biogas

Biogas is a mixture comprising mainly methane and carbon dioxide. It is produced when organic matter decomposes in the absence of oxygen. This can take place in a landfill site to give landfill gas or in an anaerobic digester to give biogas. Sewage gas is biogas produced by the digestion of sewage sludge.

An anaerobic digester produces conditions that encourage the natural breakdown of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of air, so that the biomass breaks down much faster than usual.

Anaerobic digestion is a method for turning residues from livestock farming and food processing industries into biogas, fibre and a liquid called 'digestate'. The outputs from the digestion process are:

Biogas – a mixture of 60% methane, 40% carbon dioxide and traces of other gases. Biogas can be burnt to produce either heat or energy. The biogas is burnt in the same was as natural gas, and the resultant heat can either be used for space heating, hot water systems, or to generate electricity or as a road fuel.

Digestate – an inert and sterile wet product containing valuable plant nutrients and organic humus which can be applied to land as a soil conditioner and biofertilizer.

  

Biofuels

Biofuels are fuels made from biomass (organic matter) which can be used instead of traditional fossil fuels. Biofuels are most commonly used for transport, but are also used for small heating applications

The three most common biofuels are:

• Biodiesel
• Bioethanol
• Biomethanol

Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils, and can either replace diesel completely or be mixed in different proportions. It is most commonly blended, as it gives better performance, and in the UK car warranties are made invalid if biodiesel is used to replace diesel completely. This type of biofuel can be used in diesel engines with no modifications. Typical feedstocks for biodiesel are mainstream agricultural crops such as oilseed rape (Northern Europe) and sunflower oil (Southern Europe).

Bioethanol is produced from a variety of agricultural feedstock, including starch crops, sugar crops and woody crops. By-products from the sugar industry, such as molasses, can also be used. The most typical feedstocks are wheat and sugar beet (Northern Europe) and sweet sorghum (Southern Europe). Bioethanol can be used in existing petrol engines, although some petrol is needed in addition to the fuel when cold starting.

Biomethanol is produced from wood, and is used in existing petrol engines in the same way as bioethanol. It is not as common as either biodiesel or bioethanol.

Co-firing

Co-firing refers to the simultaneous combustion of a supplementary fuel (i.e. biomass) with a base fuel (i.e. coal). Co-firing biomass with coal is seen as the cheapest way of generating green power in utility plants. In addition it also reduces the emissions of fossil based carbon dioxide and is accredited under the Renewables Obligation. From a community services perspective, biomass co-firing represents an opportunity to add value to raw materials.

After 31st March 2006 co-firing coal with biomass will only be eligible under the Renewables Obligation if 75 % or more of the energy content of the biomass derives from energy crops. The co-firing of coal and biomass will only be eligible under the Renewables Obligation until 31st March 2011.

Co-firing can be subdivided into: Direct Co-firing: biomass and coal are fired in the same compartment. Indirect Co-firing: combustion/ gasification of biomass occurs in a separate facility.

( Source:http://www.bioenergywm.co.uk/  )

  

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What is biomass?

The following are some consensus definitions of biomass at European and International level: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Definition of renewable biomass: "The biomass is the non-fossil fraction of an industrial or municipal waste." Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Definition of solid biomass: "Biomass is defined as any plant matter used directly as fuel or converted into other forms before combustion." EU's Waste Framework Directive: "bio-waste" means biodegradable garden and park waste, food and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and retail premises and comparable waste from food processing plants" International Energy Agency (IEA) Definition of Biomass: "Solid Biomass products, gas and liquids derived from biomass and the renewable part of municipal waste." European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) Definition of Biodegradable Waste: "Biodegradable waste is the biomass that can cover several forms of waste such as organic fraction of municipal solid waste, wood waste, refuse-derived fuels, sewage sludge, etc." On the other hand, among definitions of biomass which can be found in government agencies, research institutions and universities in Malaysia are: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Physics Definition of Biomass: "The term, biomass should be used not only to refer to lignocellulosic materials but to encompass all plant and animal matter i.e. any organic matter. However as the contribution from animal matter is only a small percentage of the total, the term biomass is generally used to refer to organic matter from plants." Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Definition of Biomass: "Biomass is a cellulose material which can be broadly classified as woody and non-woody. Non-woody biomass that can be used as a fuel include agricultural residue such as bagasse, straws, husks, and pits. Also, manure can be used as a fuel. Wood fuel includes round wood (cord wood), limb wood, wood chip, bark, sawdust, forest residues, charcoal, pulp waste, and spent pulping liquor." Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Energy Research Alliance (ERA) "Biomass is a form of biological matter that can be utilized as a kind of fuel or in other industrial processes. The most common types of biomass are wood, grass or agricultural crops." Is there biomass industry? The biomass industry represents several different industries brought together by the utilization of renewable organic matters including timber waste, oil palm waste, rice husk; coconut trunk fibers, municipal waste, sugar cane waste, etc. These organic materials have the potential to be used in the manufacturing of value-added eco-products composites, bio-fertilizers, bio-pellets, etc.) and the generation of renewable energy. Biomass in Malaysia remains untapped despite its abundant resources in our country. Every year, a minimum of 168 million tonnes of biomass are produced. There are also hundred types of biomass-related research an activities currently undertaken by public research institutions. A lot of policies developed to facilitate the uptake on biomass and renewable energy among SMEs are still underway, limiting the efficiencies of coordination among local agencies and biomass industry in Malaysia. There is no reliable and clear data on the potential of biomass in the market Limited incentives and funding support are provided to bear the high cost of initial investment In response to the global fight against climate change, biomass definitely has a firm position in the national agenda. As such, the commercialisation of biomass resources is no longer about simply profit-making. The issue is growing to be more complex and more diverse, therefore it opens an opportunity for engagement between different stakeholders which are inclusive of government, industry and research institutions. ( Source:http://www.biomass-sp.net/ 2010 )

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Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy is readily available and easy to extract. For the country, biomass utilization leads to substantial economical and environmental gains. For businesses, exploiting renewable resources enhances profit margins and eliminates waste disposal costs. The potential to utilise huge biomass reserves and solar resources allows progressive companies can generate electricity exports, seek regional markets and expand opportunities from lower manufacturing costs.

In the Eighth Malaysian Plan, Renewable Energy was announced as the fifth fuel in the energy supply mix. Renewable Energy is being targeted to be a significant contributor to the country's total electricity supply. With this objective in mind, greater efforts are being undertaken to encourage the utilization of renewable resources, such as biomass, biogas, solar and mini-hydro, for energy generation.

The Government has launched several fiscal incentives to stimulate the emergence of RE activities and technologies. Palm oil mills, sawmills, manufacturers and large institutions can start to benefit immediately by using local technology to generate income and reduce operating costs. Renewable energy resources are available in two primary forms: biomass residues from agriculture wastes (palm oil waste, wood waste, rice husks, etc.), municipal solid waste and energy from the sun.

Many companies are already taking advantage of renewable energy technologies to begin reaping energy cost savings and revenue:

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  TSH Bio Energy Sdn. Bhd. – As the first biomass RE project using empty fruit bunches as fuel, the company sold electricity to TNB at 21.25 sen/kwh.

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  Jana Landfill – By producing biogas and converting it to electricity, this project, the first RE grid-connected project in Peninsula Malaysia, eventually sold power to TNB at 16.7 seb/kwh.

• 
  
  Bekok Kiln Drying and Moulding Sdn. Bhd. – By converting a fuel oil boiler to one that burns wood waste, annual fuel savings alone amount to RM 2 million.

• 
  
  Awana Kijal Golf & Beach Resort – By installing a solar water heating system to supply up to 35% of its consumption needs at a cost of RM 400,000, the resort continues to save on energy and maintenance and paid back its investment in only six years.

For Malaysia, embarking on renewable energy provides benefits that enable the country to remain strong. Among these include an improved balance of trade, foreign exchange savings, more competitive industries, new export markets, employment opportunities, lower consumer prices and a better environment.

Renewable energy is a commodity just like any other form of energy. It has a major role in meeting energy demand needs and combating global warming. Presently, RE represents a prime opportunity to seek alternative energy options. Getting on board with RE today, secures your energy needs for the future.

(Source: Kettha)

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Renewable Energy Facts

Below are some Renewable Energy facts that you might find interesting. We would also like to hear from you if you have additional facts that we have not included. You can submit your entires at the foot of this email. In the meantime, here are the facts you were looking for..

Solar

1. If it could be properly harnessed, enough sunlight falls on the earth in just one hour to meet world energy demands for a whole year
2. Ever the innovator, Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize in Physics 1921 for his ground-breaking experiments with solar power and photovoltaics
3. A world record was set in 1990 when a solar-powered aircraft flew across the USA in 21 stages, using no fuel at all
4. About half of worldwide production of solar panels is consumed by Japan. Their purpose is mostly for grid connected residential applications
5. The sun is 109 times bigger than the Earth. The sun's radius being 696,000km and the Earth's radius 6, 376km
6. The sun's average surface temperature is 5700 C. The Earth's average temperature is 20 C. And we are worrying about global warming of some 3C!
7. Solar radiation of about 19% is absorbed by the atmosphere, and clouds reflect a further 35% of the total solar energy. Therefore solar energy received a sea level is much less. Its peak power is generally accepted to be 1,020 W/m²
8. Solar cells have about a 15% efficiency rate in converting that energy. Therefore solar panels deliver only 19 to 56 W/m² or 0.45-1.35 kWh/m²/day of that average power. But that does not make solar energy inefficient!
9. The average solar energy falling on Australia is equivalent to about 15.000 (fifteen thousand!) times the nation's present total energy use. At 15% conversion rate that is still more than 2000 times the present need, providing we could capture it all
10. Africa's Sahara desert, assuming 15% efficient solar cells, could generate more than 450 tarawatt (TW) per year. Current annual global energy consumption, including fossil and renewable sources is about 13 TW
11. It only takes 1% of the earth's deserts solar energy to provide more electricity than is currently produced by fossil fuels

WIND

1. The largest wind turbine in the world, located in Hawaii, stands 20 storeys tall and has blades the length of a football pitch
2. One wind turbine can produce enough electricity to power up to 300 homes
3. An average wind speed of just 14mph is needed to convert wind energy into electricity; that shouldn't be too hard to come by most countries!
4. There is evidence that wind energy was used to propel boats along the Nile as early as 5000BC
5. The earliest known windmills were in Persia (Iran) and looked like large paddle wheels
6. In 200BC people in China and the Middle East used windmills to pump water and grind grain
7. The UK is the windiest country in Europe, so much so that they could power the whole country several times over using wind energy
8. Wind is the fastest growing energy source worldwide
9. Below 8-10 mph wind speed, wind turbines do not generate power and have to cut out for safety reasons above 56 mph
10. In 2007 it was estimated that only 1 - 2% of the worlds energy supply comes from a renewable wind energy source
11. In recent years wind energy has provided for over 20% of the power consumption of Denmark, providing energy for a large number of homes and businesses throughout the country each year.
12. As of 2005, wind energy has successfully provided for roughly 1% of the world's energy needs, with the United States being the third largest wind energy producing country in the world and Germany holding steady as the leader in renewable energy sources.
13. Experts estimate that in the United States alone if the 10 windiest states were to fully utilize their available wind sources the energy produced could offset the entire coal-based power production facilities currently being used and replace them entirely.
14. If properly developed, wind power could successfully reduce carbon emissions in the US by at least one third every year and help realize a global carbon dioxide reduction of 4% yearly.
15. When power provides excellent supplement all income as well, as a landowner with a single utility-scale turbine installed on their property could realize financial gains above at least $2000 a year.
16. Developing and maintaining a wind turbine power generator is also an excellent source for jobs and has helped provide income for thousands of families in rural areas that may not necessarily be available otherwise.
17. A basic wind energy generator can be developed at home with basic materials that may be available at your house for a relatively cheap price, allowing for affordable energy production with significantly little cost – something that may not be available in other forms of energy production.
18. It is estimated that if offshore energy farms were to be developed to feed power directly back into local power grids then the entire energy needs of countries such as the United States could easily be covered as offshore wind energy generators can produce energy at roughly 7 times the efficiency of their onshore variants.
19. In order to replace all energy consumption needs of the world with wind power production approximately 13% of all land will need to be developed for wind energy purposes, assuming the placement of six large wind power generators per square kilometer in any given area 80 meters above sea level in order to maximize wind energy potential. This can of course be lowered if we were to rely upon offshore wind energy production facilities as well as onshore ones.
20. As further developments in wind energy production continue to drive down the costs necessary to establish wind energy producers and other developments come about, such as the implementation of vertical axis wind turbines over the traditional horizontal axis wind turbines, wind power is becoming increasingly common even in cities where generators can be found on the tops of some skyscrapers and high-rises residential buildings alike.

WATER

1. Water as a renewable energy power source has been grinding grain for over 2000 years.
2. Water is the most commonly used renewable energy resource, providing enough power to meet the needs of 28.3 million people

GEOTHERMAL

1. In the Philippines, geothermal power provides 18% of their energy thanks to the presence of volcanoes.
2. The geothermal energy from the core of the Earth is closer to the surface in some areas than in others. Where hot underground steam or water can be tapped and brought to the surface it can be used to generate electricity
3. Those clever old Romans not only gave us the modern drainage system and many of our roads, they were also among the first to use geothermal energy to heat houses

BIOENERGY

1. 125 years ago biomass was providing up to 90% of our energy needs through the use of wood
2. Liquid biofuels account for around 2% of road transport fuels worldwide but growth rates and future potential are significant
3. Woody biomass includes forest products and short rotation coppice (such as willow which are quick to grow and therefore easy to sustain)
4. Non-woody biomass includes animal waste, industrial and biodegradable municipal products from food processing and high energy crops such as rape, sugar cane and Maize
5. 40,000 head of cattle can produce enough manure feedstock to generate 5 MW of electricity through biogas.
6. Ethanol has a higher octane rating than normal gasoline.
7. Biodiesel can be made with waste oil from restaurant deep fryers.
8. The main byproduct of biodiesel is glycerine which has over 1,500 applications including food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
9. Ethanol has been used as a motor fuel in North America since the early 1900s. Ethanol gas blends were used in several states during the Second World War.
   
   

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