Green Energy Helps
Written by Wilson Yeo on January 26, 2021 
in 
Last updated: 26/04/2024

Biofuel facts

Last updated on April 26th, 2024 at 01:05 pm

Introduction

Biofuel is fuel obtained from both edible and inedible biomass (feedstock). Two common types of biofuel are ethanol (bioethanol) and biodiesel. Their mode of production are divided into generations depending on their source of feedstock. There is also a fourth generation that involved production of biofuels using scientific technological advances like bioengineering for production.

Types of biofuels

First generation biofuels

Utilised feedstock include food-crops like sugar-cane and corn. Other minor sources include whey, potato wastes, sugar beets and barley.


sugarcane field cornfield

Find out more here !

Second generation biofuels

Non-edible feedstock like lignocellulosic biomass, straw, bagasse and energy crops grown on marginal land are utilised for production of biofuel. Some of these energy crops include warm season grasses (WSGs); switchgrass, little bluestem, short rotation woody crops (SWRCs); hybrid poplars, black locust and shrubs like jatophra.


bagasse jatropha

Find out more here ! (under construction)

Third generation biofuels

Production mainly using microalgal feedstock comprising of multiple groups like diatoms, green and golden algae to prymnesiophytes. It also includes cyanobacteria that is a class of photosynthetic bacteria.


microalgal culture algae

Find out more here !

Fourth generation biofuels

Utilises scientific technological advances like designer photosynthetic microorganisms, combination of photovoltaic cells with microbial fuel production, artificial cellular factories or organelles for production of biofuel. Commercial companies like Sunfire and Ballard have harnessed such technologies for usage in generating green energy. 

Find out more here ! (under construction)

Author

  • Wilson Yeo

    I am the admin of Green Energy Helps and I possess a keen interest in how green energy and leading a green lifestyle can help to reduce our individual carbon footprints. I will be providing information about green energy and lifestyle tips with unbiased reviews on green products for your consideration. Note: This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you.

    View all posts

Related Posts

magnifiercrossmenu