Solve Energy Crisis – Decide Biofuels / Solar by 2030

Biofuels are fuel sources obtained from biological wastes. The remains of a biological process become the raw material for producing biofuels. Learn more about its demand and supply, different types and also compare it with solar energy through this article.

We can either choose solar energy or biofuels. Biofuels are a combination of fuels whereas solar energy is the most penniless resource available to us.

Our need would be fulfilled only by striking the right balance between the two kinds of energy sources.

But biofuels still require the use of resources, mostly waste ones. In the near future, if these same resources find some more essential use other than solving the energy crisis, they might get into a demand crisis zone.

Here is a simple evaluation of what can work best, in what way and why. Also, we would see how the consumption and production of biofuels will see a massive change.

Solar energy facts- number 1 solution to energy crisis

• The sun will live for another 5 billion years.
• The sun’s total energy output received by the Earth is 0.00000005%.
• 1361 W/M² power is the solar constant.
• 1361 W/m² arrives on top of the Earth’s atmosphere annually as solar radiation.
• Almost 174,000 terawatts of solar radiation touch the outer atmosphere.
• 30% of it goes back to space, and we know it as reflection.
• The rest, 70%, reaches the earth’s surface.
• The estimated amount of energy released is 384.6 yotta watts.
• Almost 71% is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
• The atmosphere absorbs 23%, and the surface absorbs 48%.
• The atmosphere radiates 59%, and the surface radiates 12%.
• Due to less radiation from the surface, maximum heating takes place around the surface, and radiative cooling happens in the atmosphere.
• A total of 340 watts of solar energy fall per square meter of Earth’s surface.
• 1% of it is used by plants all over the world for photosynthesis.
• Solar panels are merely 20% efficient, and the ceiling of solar panel cell efficiency is 29%–33%, also known as the Shockley-Queisser limit.
• Above everything, there is no production cost for solar power, and what needs to be done is to build the system from the top instead of at the bottom of the atmosphere. A technological advancement is what can make it possible. Right now, experiments are underway.

Biofuel Facts: number 2 solution for energy crisis

• Biofuels will use resources.
• Recently, in May 2022, India could blend 10% ethanol in petrol.
• The farmer’s income received a boost of USD 8.7 million.
• Carbon dioxide was reduced in the atmosphere by 40 million metric tons. This was the lowest achieved in a nine-year span.
• By 2030, blending would be done with up to 20% ethanol in gasoline.
• Bioethanol is made from fermenting crops of sugar and starch; biodiesel is made from vegetable oils; biogas is made from anaerobic digestion of fecal matter; and e-fuels include e-methane, e-kerosene, and e-methanol. They are produced from solar, wind, and decarbonized electricity sources.

The best biofuels for solving energy crisis in the near future

1. Dimethyl Ether: A Recyclable Biofuel Source

Manufactured from: Made from methanol and natural gas

Use: Propane and butane substitutes

Benefits: It can be used to run vehicles and can work as a magnificent chlorocarbon replacement.

Manufacturing process: obtained by processing methane.

2. Bioethanol

Manufactured from: fermenting sugar and starch crops like corn, sugarcane, and wheat.

Use: gasoline substitute

Benefit of use: Improves the air quality and performance of the vehicle.

Manufacturing process: afermentation process similar to the process of making beer.

3. Biodiesel

Manufactured from: derived from animal fats, rapeseed oil, vegetable oils, and recycled restaurant grease.

Use: Primarily suitable for running boats.

Benefit of use: prevents people from being exposed to diesel exhaust.

Manufacturing process: primarily from a chemical reaction between oil and alcohol.

Sustainable Bio-Fuels for solving the energy crisis

India will achieve energy independence by 2047 and that will happen since India will solve the energy crisis by then.

Net zero by 2070.

The most sustainable fuels are grey, green, and blue hydrogen.

1. Grey hydrogen

Manufacturing processes:

• Steam methane reformation (SMR) of natural gas or
• Methane (grey) or
• Gasification of coal or lignite (black or brown)

Carbon Footprint: High

2. Blue hydrogen

Manufacturing processes:

• gasification of natural gas or coal
• carbon capture storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU)

Carbon Footprint: Low

3. Green hydrogen

Manufacturing process:

• Electrolyzing water uses electricity that comes from renewable resources.

Carbon Footprint: Lowest

Current sustainable sources being studied for creating biofuels to solve energy crisis

 1. Rice straw

Byproduct of rice production.

It is capable of producing 205 billion litres of biofuel, which is about 5% of the entire global consumption. Cellulosic biomass can be converted easily to fermented sugar, which further leads to the production of biofuel.

2. Algal biomass

The microalgae used are Chlorella spp., like pyrenoidosa, vulgaris, emersonii, minutissima, protothecoides, Botryococcus braunni, Nannochloropsis sp., Neochloris oleoabundans, Schizochytrium limacinum, and Scenedesmus obliquus.

3. Lignin and lignocellulose

• Lignocellulose biomass is composed of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose.
• Biodiesel is produced from lignocellulose.
• Oleaginous microorganisms can use lignocellulose to produce biodiesel.

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Increase in the use of biofuels over the years to solve energy crisis

Demand for biofuel over the years

Demand will depend on the need, and the need will depend on rising Net Zero expectations.

Year	Biofuel demand (liters per year)
2014	131
2020	146
2026	186
Accelerated in 2026	239
2026 NZE (Net Zero)	342

Biofuel consumption ranking of countries

By 2032, close to the first Net Zero border, a lot of changes are being predicted. A comparative charting of the use in 2022 is present for further understanding.

Biodiesel production

Biodiesel production and consumption will also undergo a massive change. Here is a graphical estimation of the data to understand the stance of biofuels amid energy crisis better.

Choose if biofuel or solar could do good to you and the people surrounding you. Understand how things need to be sorted out before going out for making the energy crisis choice. Ultimately, people will choose biofuel or solar and this is a brief outline.