Joules Burn

Biofuel Innovators with Alternatives to Oil

There is really no scenario in which biofuels can contribute significantly to the liquid fuel supply in the short term. Even with an immediate breakthru, the capital investment necessary to build enough plants and/or distribution infrastructure just isn't there. Plus, you need automobiles which can utilize it -- either ethanol-capable or a lot more diesels.

In the longer term, you have to consider which options are actually scalable. Non-agricultural crops as input sounds great, but in most cases, unless you are returning something back to the soil, soil viability over the long term is not assured. Research on corn stover indicates that only a certain amount can be harvested (without plowing it back) without degrading the soil.

Ah yes, algae. The golden species. Lot's of promise, yet many challenges. Photovoltaic cells usually do what we want them to. In contrast, algae have their own agenda. But even if large-scale biodiesel production using algae can be done, the question to ask is still...why? Photosynthesis, even using algae, is still a comparatively poor way to capture solar energy. Subsequently burning it in an internal combustion engine fritters away even more energy.

The alternative, electrification of transportation using energy derived from solar or wind, offers a much better utilization of the available energy. Challenges are many down that path as well, but mindlessly clinging on to the ICE with the hope that algae will deliver will guarantee that crops continue to get diverted to fuel production in the short term.