Ecological Sources of Energy

Bio fuels - Are they good?


As the term sugests, bio-fuels are fuels that are
formed when biological matter decomposes. The
bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels
exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid,
and gas.

Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following
ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas
bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of
days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution.
Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil
fuels.

Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types:
first generation, second generation, third generation,
and fourth generation.

The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable
fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from
food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived
from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are
some examples of this type of bio-fuels.

The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from
waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option
compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different
kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into
the category of second generation bio-fuels.

The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from
algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these
bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-
friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without
harming it.

The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a
method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with
carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil
fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce
carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-
effective for consumers.

Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial
for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages,
paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels
have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of
which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of
first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food
they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food
crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe
that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be
farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus
encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.

The solar and the wind energy are much more cost-
effective and non poluants. Make power at home with
solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill.

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