Bioenergy Background

Towards advanced biofuels – options for integrating 1st and 2nd generation biofuel production (RES-T-BIOPLANT)

The integration of advanced (2nd generation / 2G) biofuel plants with conventional (1st generation / 1G) biofuel plants can lead to significant synergies and cost savings, especially for bioethanol plants. For biodiesel, conversion of fossil ...

Feb 2016
Mobilizing Sustainable Bioenergy Supply Chains

This report summarizes the results of an IEA Bioenergy inter-Task project involving collaborators from Tasks 37 (Energy from Biogas), 38 (Climate Change Effects of Biomass and Bioenergy Systems), 39 (Commercialising Conventional and Advanced Liquid Biofuels ...

Nov 2015
The state of the biofuels market: regulatory, trade and development perspectives

As the UN system gears towards the definition of the Sustainable Development Goals for the international community in the period post-2015, the linkages between energy and development lie high in international agendas. Governments, intergovernmental organizations, ...

Nov 2014
China's long green march. A study of renewable energy. environmental industry and cement sectors

In the past 20 years, China’s economy has increased tenfold. This growth has lifted 660 million people out of extreme poverty. However, it has had an environmental cost. China is the world’s largest producer of ...

Nov 2013
Status of Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Facilities in 2012

A number of companies around the world pursue projects to develop and deploy advanced technologies for the production of biofuels. Plenty of options are available, e.g. on which feedstock to use, how to pretreat it ...

Mar 2013
Assessment report from the GCEP workshop on energy supply with negative carbon emissions

As part of its assessment towards energy technologies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) held a workshop at Stanford University on June 15, 2012, on the topic of ...

Mar 2013
IEA Technology Roadmap. Bioenergy for Heat and Power

This roadmap further develops past IEA analysis in line with the forthcoming Energy Technology Perspectives 2012. The ETP 2012 2°C Scenario (ETP 2DS) sets out cost effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the ...

May 2012
Poor people's energy outlook 2012

This second edition of the Poor people’s energy outlook (PPEO) shines a spotlight on energy access and its impact on the ability of the world’s poorest people to earn a decent living. Its release is ...

Mar 2012
Global impacts of European agricultural and biofuel policies

Food supply and food distribution have been and are important issues in the global political arena. The recent emergence of biofuel policies has increased the influence of the policy arena on agricultural production. In this ...

Apr 2011
AquaFUELs Roundtable – Conference Review

The AquaFUELs project intends to give an overview of research, assess if improved sustainability can be delivered through current research (lifecycle analysis) and identify the needs for further research. Additionally, AquaFUELs will structure relations between ...

Feb 2011
The Energy Report – 100% renewable energy by 2050

WWF has a vision of a world that is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy sources by the middle of this century. Unless we make this transition, the world is most likely to avoid ...

Feb 2011
Advanced biofuel technologies - Status and barriers

Large-scale production of crop based (first generation) biofuels may not be feasible without adversely affecting global food supply or encroaching on other important land uses. Because alternatives to liquid fossil fuels are important to develop ...

Sep 2010
Current status and potential for algal biofuels production

It seems probable that growth in human population, future climate change effects on freshwater resources, which are already stressed in some regions, and eventual shortages of unutilized arable land will encourage the exploitation of microalgae ...

Aug 2010

This IEA Bioenergy report seeks to examine the technical and economic feasibility of generating algal biomass for the production of liquid biofuels. As worldwide petroleum reserves diminish due to consumption exceeding discoveries while the demand ...

Aug 2010
Algae-based biofuels: applications and co-products

The possible competition for land makes it impossible to produce enough first generation biofuel to offset a large percentage of the total fuel consumption for transportation. As opposed to land-based biofuels produced from agricultural feedstocks, ...

Jul 2010
Renewables 2010 – Global Status Report

Changes in renewable energy markets, investments, industries, and policies have been so rapid in recent years that perceptions of the status of renewable energy can lag years behind the reality. This report captures that reality ...

Jul 2010
A USDA regional roadmap to meeting the biofuels goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022

As part of that larger conversation, USDA’s objectives for this report include: providing the practical knowledge from the field that can enhance various models for biofuel production, identify challenges and opportunities, and help develop solutions ...

Jun 2010
Status of 2nd generation biofuels demonstration facilities in June 2010

Driven by the need to partly replace fossil transport fuels and by food versus fuel and highest possible GHG mitigation considerations, large efforts are dedicated to the development of technologies for the production of biofuels ...

Jun 2010
Analytical tools to assess and unlock sustainable bioenergy potential

Bioenergy development and energy planning strategy is a field that is subject to many factors: uncertainty, long timeframes and high investments, along with the need to satisfy multiple decision-makers with many conflicting criteria.Multiple criteria analytical ...

May 2010
Next-generation biofuels - Near-term challenges and implications for agriculture

Next-generation biofuels refer to biofuels made using advanced technologies that greatly expand the potential to use widely available biomass, including woody biomass and wood waste; crop residues; dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass, energy cane, ...

May 2010
Financing options for bioenergy projects and programmes

Modern bioenergy has been developing rapidly in the last several years and presents great opportunities for sustainable development and climate change mitigation. However, developing countries encounter difficulties in financing their bioenergy projects and programmes.This report ...

Apr 2010
Development perspectives of the biobased economy: a review

This paper provides an outline of the biobased economy, its perspectives for agriculture and, more particularly, for development purposes.Possibilities of development of biobased products, advanced biofuels, and viable and efficient biorefinery concepts are explored. The ...

Apr 2010
Update: initiatives in the field of biomass and bioenergy certification

This background document is prepared in the frame of IEA Bioenergy Task 40 on sustainable international bioenergy trade and includes an overview and update on relevant certification initiatives and systems for biomass and bioenergy certification, ...

Apr 2010
Algae – The future for bioenergy?

This publication provides the summary and conclusions from the workshop ‘Algae – The Future for Bioenergy?’ held in conjunction with the meeting of the Executive Committee of IEA Bioenergy in Liege, Belgium on 1 October ...

Mar 2010
Jatropha: a smallholder bioenergy crop - The potential for pro-poor development

This publication reviews the information currently available on jatropha as a bioenergy crop, starting with the papers presented to the April 2008 IFAD/FAO International Consultation on Pro-Poor Jatropha Development held in Rome, Italy (IFAD 2008). ...

Feb 2010
Bioenergy development - Issues and impacts for poverty and natural resource management

This report overviews recent developments in the consumption and production of bioenergy. It examines the main issues and possible economic implications of these developments and assesses their potential impact on land use and the environment, ...

Jan 2010
Sustainable production of second-generation biofuels - Potential and perspectives in major economies and developing countries

This study first discusses the global status quo of second-generation biofuels and their potential role in the future energy supply. Next, the study identifies global drivers for the development of this new industry and their ...

Jan 2010
Biofuels 2010: spotting the next wave - Executive summary

One response to the threat of climate change would be to regulate the use of carbon fossil fuels with an externality tax or some other policy measure. Taxing fossil fuels would drive up the price ...

Dec 2009
Bioenergy – A sustainable and reliable energy source (main report)

The supply of sustainable energy is one of the main challenges that mankind will face over the coming decades, particularly because of the need to address climate change.Biomass can make a substantial contribution to supplying ...

Dec 2009
The biofuels market: current situation and alternative scenarios

A forward-looking vision should focus on the instruments and preconditions that would make biofuels a win-win solution for the environment and for rural development, while contributing to expand the supply of sustainable transportation fuels.The intent ...

Dec 2009
Navigating bioenergy - Contributing to informed decision making on bioenergy issues

Bioenergy has become one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing sectors of the global energy economy. Accelerated growth in the production and use of bioenergy in the past few years is attracting interest from ...

Nov 2009
Oilgae guide to algae-based wastewater treatment – Sample report

Algae are important bioremediation agents, and are already being used by many wastewater facilities. The potential for algae in wastewater remediation is however much wider in scope than its current role.The Oilgae Guide to Algae-based ...

Nov 2009
Towards sustainable production and use of resources: assessing biofuels

Biofuels have received much attention from decision-makers in government and industry, and of the wider public world-wide. As the number of publications devoted to this renewable source of energy is expanding rapidly, it has become ...

Oct 2009
The promise of algae biofuels

To properly assess algae biofuels, there is a need to see the big picture—to develop the full life cycle of algae-to-biofuel production and analyze all potential impacts. This is especially important for a technology that ...

Oct 2009
Background paper: Chinese Renewables Status Report

This report was commissioned by REN21 as a background paper to its policy report on Recommendations for Improving the Effectiveness of Renewable Energy Policies in China.The report includes, among other, an overview of the Chinese ...

Oct 2009
Foreign direct investment in the agricultural sector in Ethiopia

This paper will first give an overview on the development of FDI inflows into Africa in the recent years. The overview will show that FDI inflows have increased differently in the various parts of Africa ...

Oct 2009
Country report Belgium - IEA Bioenergy Task 40 - sustainable international bioenergy trade securing supply and demand

In 2007, the Flemish Region used 29.1 PJ biomass for energy purposes, and the Walloon Region 33.8 PJ. The total green electricity (biomass + other renewables) production in Flanders was 1640 GWh in 2007 (2.7% ...

Sep 2009
Industrial biotechnology - More than green fuel in a dirty economy? - Exploring the transformational potential of industrial biotechnology on the way to a green economy

This report concludes that the full climate change mitigation potential of industrial biotechnology ranges between 1 billion and 2.5 billion tCO2e per year by 2030, compared with a scenario in which no industrial biotechnology applications ...

Sep 2009
Working for the climate - Renewable energy & the green job [R]evolution

Under the Energy [R]evolution scenario, renewable energy gains a much bigger share of the market through dynamic growth. At the same time, nuclear energy is phased out and the number of fossil fuel-fired power plants ...

Sep 2009
Biorefineries: adding value to the sustainable utilisation of biomass

It is recognised by many countries that energy security, environmental concerns and the development of alternative, cleaner sources of chemicals and materials for manufacturing and user industries is becoming a driving imperative.These are just some ...

Sep 2009
Industrial biotechnology - More than green fuel in a dirty economy?

Until now, most efforts to solve the climate crisis have focused on how to reduce the carbon footprint of our current economic system. However, this approach will not alone lead us onto the right path ...

Sep 2009
Market of biomass fuels in Finland

This study considers the current situation of solid and liquid biomass fuels in Finland. The fact that industry consumes more than half of the total primary energy, widely applied combined heat and power production and ...

Aug 2009
Bioenergy – A sustainable and reliable energy source - A review of status and prospects – Executive summary

The supply of sustainable energy is one of the main challenges that mankind will face over the coming decades, particularly because of the need to address climate change.Biomass can make a substantial contribution to supplying ...

Aug 2009
Market of biomass fuels in Finland

Finland has long-standing traditions in the utilisation of biomass in energy production, and bioenergy plays an important role in the Finnish energy system. The country is one of the world’s largest importers of raw wood; ...

Aug 2009
Country report 2009 for Norway - IEA Bioenergy task 40

This report is a part of the work of IEA Bioenergy Task 40 working group-“Sustainable International Bioenergy Trade: Securing Supply and Demand” and gives a picture of the situation regarding bioenergy in Norway for the ...

Aug 2009
Bio-carbon in Africa: harnessing carbon finance for forestry & bioenergy

The chapters are organised in terms of the production cycle, beginning with two chapters on forest bio-carbon (which can “grow” carbon): one on policy options and the second on forest bio-carbon methodologies. The review then ...

Aug 2009
Use of biomass energy in cement production - Opportunities in Ethiopia

Biomass and biomass residues, if sourced in an environmentally and socially sustainable fashion, represent a vast – and largely untapped – renewable energy source for the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. This guide seeks to outline ...

Aug 2009
Jatropha oil – The end of the biodiesel food vs fuel debate?

Jatropha has been hailed as the high-productivity crop to replace food crops such as soy or rape as sources of vegetable oil for biodiesel.This article reviews how jatropha oil production has developed recently and assesses ...

Jul 2009
Global trends in sustainable energy investment 2009

The drivers that have propelled investment in the sustainable energy sector so dramatically for the past five years are still at work – climate change, energy insecurity, fossil fuel depletion, new technologies etc. There is ...

Jun 2009
Analysis of opportunities for biofuel production in sub-Saharan Africa

Within the developing world, and especially Africa, biofuels, are regarded as a potential mechanism to stimulate agricultural development, create jobs and save foreign exchange. In reaction to the initial euphoria about biofuels as a carbon-neutral ...

Jun 2009
Technical and economic assessment of thermal processes for biofuels

A comprehensive technical and economic assessment of the current status and future prospects for biofuels product from biomass by thermal processing has been carried out. These are known as Biomass To Liquids or BTL processes.This ...

Jun 2009
Country report: United States - IEA Task 40: Sustainable International Bioenergy Trade: Securing Supply and Demand

The main barrier for biomass is sustainable production of feedstocks. While national assessments identify sufficient biomass resource to meet the production targets, much of that resource is inaccessible because of unfavorable economics that result from ...

Jun 2009
Algae-based biofuels: a review of challenges and opportunities for developing countries

Algae have recently received a lot of attention as a new biomass source for the production of renewable energy. Some of the main characteristics which set algae apart from other biomass sources are that algae ...

May 2009
Renewables Global Status Report 2009 - Update

This “Update” edition of the Renewables Global Status Report is the fourth in a series launched in 2005. It provides an integrated picture of the global renewable energy situation, unfolding in the midst of a ...

May 2009
Ethanol as a fuel for road transportation

The past few years have seen a veritable explosion in the advocacy and use of bioethanol as a fuel in the industrialized world. In a remarkable way this cause, as it has almost become, seems ...

May 2009
Ensuring green growth in a time of economic crisis: the role of energy technology

Despite the severity of the financial and economic crisis, it cannot be allowed to distract us from addressing critical and strategic climate change and energy challenges. The energy sector produces 60% of global greenhouse gas ...

Apr 2009
Sowing the seeds of prosperity: developing bioenergy technology to alleviate smallholder farmer poverty

The challenges facing the Developing World’s rural poor are formidable. Not only must these agricultural societies become more productive in supplying food, they must also find a way to produce the jobs and incomes needed ...

Apr 2009
Greenhouse gas sequestration by algae. Energy and greenhouse gas life cycle studies - Proceedings of the 6th Australian Conference on Life Cycle Assessment

This paper assesses the greenhouse gas, costs and energy balance on a life cycle basis for algae grown in salt water ponds and used to produce biodiesel and electricity.Under the conditions described and data assumed ...

Mar 2009
Biofuels in Asia - An analysis of sustainability options

The purpose of this report is to provide an objective and comprehensive regional analysis summarizing the benefits and risks of biofuels development in Asia, and examining the distribution and use of biofuels through the lens ...

Mar 2009
Biofuel industry study, Tanzania - An assessment of the current situation

The biofuel industry in Tanzania is still in a nascent stage, with various companies, both Tanzanian and international, active at various stages. Tanzania has been inundated by foreign investors since 2006, most from the EU ...

Mar 2009
Annual Report 2008

The IEA Bioenergy 2008 Annual Report includes a special feature article 'Biorefineries: Adding Value to the Sustainable Utilisation of Biomass' prepared by Task 42.The Annual Report also includes a report from the Executive Committee and ...

Mar 2009
Energy from waste - Summary and conclusions from the IEA Bioenergy ExCo56 Workshop

This publication provides a synopsis from the workshop ‘Energy from Waste’ held in conjunction with the 56th meeting of the Executive Committee of IEA Bioenergy in Dublin on 12-13 October 2005.Solid waste derived from the ...

Mar 2009
A review of the potential of marine algae as a source of biofuel in Ireland

This report, commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland, provides an overview of algae as an energy resource, from either marine macroalgae or microalgae. It is also assess the potential resource in Ireland, determine the level of ...

Feb 2009
Road map to the commercialization of next-generation biofuels – Part I

First-generation ethanol and biodiesel production in the U.S. expanded significantly during the period from 2000 to 2008, with ethanol production capacity tripling, according to the Renewable Fuels Association, while the National Biodiesel Board notes that ...

Feb 2009
Synergies and competition in bioenergy systems - Summary and conclusions

The use of renewable energy sources in general, and bioenergy in particular, is rapidly expanding in response to the ambitions of governments around the world to meet environmental and energy security objectives. Among the various ...

Feb 2009
Small-scale bioenergy initiatives: brief description and preliminary lessons on livelihood impacts from case studies in Asia, Latin America and Africa

This report is based on a series of 15 International Case studies conducted between September and November 2008 under a joint initiative between FAO and the PISCES Energy Research Consortium funded by DFID. The case ...

Jan 2009
Microalgae technologies and processes for biofuels/bioenergy production in British Columbia - Current technology, suitability and barriers

Extensive review of the literature and information obtained from industry insiders resulted in the identification of cost parameters for expected biomass yields, algal oil content, capital, labour and operational costs. A thermodynamic model was developed ...

Jan 2009
Smart choices for biofuels

Much of the strong support for biofuels in the United States is premised on the national security advantages of reducing dependence on imported oil. In late 2007, these expected payoffs played a major role in ...

Jan 2009
Bioenergy and biofuels: opportunities and constraints

It is still controversial whether biofuels, particularly first generation biofuels, deliver net GHG benefits. Policies concerning biofuel production will need to require that feedstock production practices do not create net additional emissions of GHGs directly, ...

Jan 2009
Corn stover for ethanol production: potential and pitfalls

Designing a renewable fuel production system that is truly sustainable will require a comprehensive but flexible framework of environmental safeguards and a concerted effort to collect improved information about the environmental performance of biomass-derived fuels ...

Jan 2009
Integration of agricultural and energy systems

Massive production of energy, mainly liquid fuels, from agricultural resources will link agricultural and energy markets, tightly. The new market integration is perhaps the most fundamentally important change to occur in agriculture in decades. The ...

Dec 2008
From 1st- to 2nd-generation biofuel technologies - An overview of current industry and RD&D activities

In order to move away from sole dependence on food crops towards the conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to bioethanol, synthetic diesel and aviation fuels, the necessary transition from 1st- to 2nd-generation biofuels will require major ...

Nov 2008
Sugarcane ethanol - Contributions to climate change mitigation and the environment

The aim of this publication is to set the stage for the discussion about both challenges and concerns of sugarcane ethanol by providing the scientific context, the basic concepts and the approach for understanding the ...

Nov 2008
Techno-fixes: a critical guide to climate change technologies

As the climate crisis looms, choices about solutions become ever more important. However, the debate on the future is surrounded by hype and vested interests. This briefing seeks to assess the large-scale technologies that corporations ...

Nov 2008
The role of agricultural biotechnologies for production of bioenergy in developing countries - Background document

The role of agricultural biotechnologies for production of bioenergy in developing countries - Background documentThe FAO Biotechnology Forum is hosting an e-mail conference entitled "The role of agricultural biotechnologies for production of bioenergy in developing ...

Nov 2008
Agrofuels in Brazil - What is the outlook for its farming sector?

This study of Brazilian agrofuels deals separately with ethanol and biodiesel. In spite of overlaps which will be discussed in the text and which are likely to increase with time ethanol and biodiesel are governed ...

Nov 2008
The State of Food and Agriculture 2008 - Biofuels: prospects, risks and opportunities

The State of Food and Agriculture 2008 explores the implications of the recent rapid growth in production of biofuels based on agricultural commodities. The boom in liquid biofuels has been largely driven by policies in ...

Oct 2008
Energy [r]evolution 2009 - A sustainable global energy outlook

Global market for renewables is booming. Decades of technical progress have seen renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels, biomass power plants, solar thermal collectors and many others move steadily into the ...

Oct 2008
2008 Report - Goals of bioenergy in Italy - Key elements for 2020 objectives

In 2004 ITABIA drafted, on behalf of the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea (MATTM), a comprehensive report on “Biomass for Energy Production and the Environment”, which not only provided statistical data on ...

Oct 2008
The potential role for corn ethanol in meeting the energy needs of the United States in 2016-2030

Ethanol produced from corn starch is the most widely produced renewable liquid fuel in the U.S. production for calendar year 2007 is projected at 7.1 billion gallons, up from 4.9 billion gallons in 2006 and ...

Oct 2008
Biofuels. Big potential for some...but big risks too

Record breaking oil prices have reinforced an existing push to reduce dependence on foreign oil, and a number of countries are turning to biofuels as a means of enhancing energy security. Concerns about climate change ...

Oct 2008
Corn – Distillers Grains - Value-added feed source for beef, dairy beef, dairy, poultry, swine, sheep

The rapid growth of the dry grind ethanol industry has resulted in larger supplies of Distillers Grains (DG) than ever before. This information document provides an overview of the advantages of corn distillers grain for ...

Sep 2008
Fact sheet on biofuels

The aim of IUCN’s work on energy is to accelerate society’s transition to energy systems that are ecologically sustainable, socially equitable and economically viable.This document is a fact-sheet that collects concise information about biofuel and ...

Sep 2008
Regional forum on bioenergy sector development: challenges, opportunities and way foward

Worldwide interest in producing biofuels from biomass is growing rapidly. There are several reasons for this, including:• Global warming associated with higher levels of GHG emissions• The onset of peak oil in a global economy• ...

Sep 2008
Agrofuel development in Ethiopia: rhetoric, reality and recommendations

Currently, Ethiopia’s economic and social development efforts are geared towards raising the country to a middle-income level within the coming 20 years. To this effect every sector pursues its own targets since the vision is ...

Aug 2008
Who-is-Who-and-Where in the biofuel field

The aim of this report is to lists persons and organisations active in the field of biofuels for transport and, as a result, form a “who is who and where” in the field of biofuels ...

Jul 2008
Gaps in the research of 2nd generation transportation biofuels

This publication is the final report of Task 41, Project 2.Liquid transportation fuels derived from biomass reduce the dependence on crude oil imports and therefore increase the stability of national fuel markets. Most bioenergy systems ...

Jul 2008
Biomass, hot issue - Smart choices in difficult times

The use of biobased raw materials for energy and material has been brought into discredit in the past years. The use of bioenergy is repeatedly held responsible for the recent food crisis and for the ...

Jul 2008
Global trends in sustainable energy investment 2008

The 2008 edition of Global Trends shows that investment flows have not only continued to grow – more than 60% compared to 2006 – they have broadened and diversified, giving the sustainable energy sector greater ...

Jul 2008
Biofuels for transportation: a climate perspective

As the United States seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles and to lessen its dependence on imported oil, biofuels are gaining increasing attention as one possible solution. This paper offers an ...

Jun 2008
Bioenergy and regional development in the Nordic Countries

The aim of the study is to provide a preliminary overview of the potential for the sustainable production of biomass and bioenergy, and an analysis of their possible regional impacts in the Nordic countries.Which Nordic ...

Jun 2008
Review of solutions to global warming, air pollution, and energy security

This paper reviews and ranks major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security while considering other impacts of the proposed solutions, such as on water supply, land use, wildlife, resource ...

Jun 2008
Annual Energy Outlook 2008 with projections to 2030

The Annual Energy Outlook 2008 (AEO2008), prepared by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), presents long-term projections of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2030. The projections are based on results from EIA’s National Energy Modeling ...

Jun 2008
Anticipated and potential improvements in land productivity and increased agricultural inputs with intensification

This study addresses past and feasible future improvements in land productivity world-wide to 2020. It considers the main commodity crops and those yielding biofuel feedstocks. It also considers available information and views on maximum crop ...

May 2008
Agrofuels between sustainability and development - Definitions, analysis and protagonists from the point of view of science and research

Recent press coverage has repeatedly pointed out the fact that world wide oil reserves are facing their inevitable decline. The “World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2007” report published by the International Energy Agency made waves with ...

May 2008
Biofuels review: scenario development

The aim of this document is to develop scenarios for future global demand for different feedstocks for biofuels in 2010 and 2020. These can be used to derive land area requirement for biofuel production. The ...

May 2008
Energy Technology Perspectives 2008 - Scenarios & strategies to 2050 - Executive summary

The world needs ever increasing energy supplies to sustain economic growth and development. But energy resources are under pressure and CO2 emissions from today’s energy use already threaten our climate. What options do we have ...

May 2008
Bioenergy and agro-biotechnology

Global population is expected to increase from 6.1 billion in 2000 to 7.6 billion in 2020, reaching 9.1 billion in 2050. With this growth in human population, there will be greater pressure on agricultural production, ...

May 2008
Biofuels review: advanced technologies overview

Examination of development potential for second generation biofuels by 2020 - E4Tech.In particular, this study analyzes GHG savings, development status, challenges and key players of different biofuel production paths. These include: Lignocellulosic ethanolSyndiesel or Biomass-to-Liquids (BTL)Hydrogenation ...

May 2008
Aquatic biofuels

Currently around 2-3% of the world’s energy derives from agricultural biofuels - a figure which is predicted to increase especially with the recent rise in the cost of crude oil at US$135 (May 2008), per ...

May 2008
Biofuel and global biodiversity

The current situation in agricultural commodity markets is unique; rarely in recent decades has the agricultural industry experienced sustained high prices for commodities.This creates a new set of environmental concerns, makes industrial agricultural production economically ...

Apr 2008
Background: biofuels and bio-based chemicals - Appendix C of the Disruptive Civil Technologies report

The National Intelligence Council sponsors workshops and research with nongovernmental experts to gain knowledge and insight and to sharpen debate on critical issues.To support the development of the National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2025, SRI ...

Apr 2008
Land use, bioenergy and agro-biotechnology

In this paper, the WBGU has posed five main framing questions to deal with genetically modified (GM) bioenergy crops:1) To what extent could biotechnology influence global sustainable plant production?;2) To what extent could biotechnology decrease ...

Mar 2008
A comparison of carbon offset standards - Making sense of the voluntary carbon market

This report discusses the role of the voluntary carbon market and provides an overview of the most important currently available carbon offset standards.Carbon offset markets exist both under compliance schemes and as voluntary programs. Compliance ...

Mar 2008
Biofuels in the European context: facts and uncertainties

Together with other stakeholders, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been studying aspects relevant to biofuels in different contexts for a number of years. In order to provide an up-to-date analysis of policy issues and ...

Mar 2008
Fertilizer outlook - Supply and demand trends

Like corn, beans and wheat, fertilizer is a commodity with price determined by tight supply and demand balance. Recently, U.S. fertilizer and nutrient prices have reached record highs and will trend higher as commodities remain ...

Feb 2008
Biofuel production technologies: status, prospects, and implications for trade and development

Biofuels are drawing increasing attention worldwide as substitutes for petroleum-derived transportation fuels to help address energy cost, energy security and global warming concerns associated with liquid fossil fuels. The term biofuel is used here to ...

Feb 2008
Impact of biological and landscape diversity protection on wood availability in Europe

Biological and landscape diversity protection measures result in a range of possible impacts on the economic use of forest resources. With respect to wood, these impacts can be negligible – when protection does not lead ...

Feb 2008
Where will biofuels and biomass feedstocks come from?

When it comes to biofuels we have a few choices and options – we can do it poorly, with short-run approaches with no potential to scale, poor trajectory, and adverse environmental impact, or we can ...

Feb 2008
Biofuel feedstock assessment for selected countries

Findings from biofuel feedstock production assessments and projections of future supply are presented and discussed. The report aims to improve capabilities to assess the degree to which imported biofuel could contribute to meeting future U.S. ...

Feb 2008
Sustainable biofuels: prospects and challenges

There are three main drivers, at the national, regional and global levels, for the development of bioenergy and biofuels. These are: climate change, energy security and rural development. The political motivation to support biofuels arises ...

Jan 2008
Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass

Perennial herbaceous plants such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are being evaluated as cellulosic bioenergy crops. Two major concerns have been the net energy efficiency and economic feasibility of switchgrass and similar crops. All previous ...

Jan 2008
Current status of bioenergy development in Indonesia

Because of the effects of high petroleum and natural gas prices, Indonesia is implementing national policies and legislation to encourage bioenergy production as a means to achieve energy security and self-sufficiency and to reduce reliance ...

Jan 2008
Biofuels trade and sustainable development: an analysis of South African bioethanol

Decoupling economic activity from the consumption of fossil fuels is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth, if not survival. In the face of this challenge biofuels are once again being posited as a source of ...

Dec 2007
Biofuels trajectory to success: the innovation ecosystem at work

Can we change fuels, feeds, and automobiles in one go? The goal, as we see it, is a liquid fuel for the internal combustions engines - the hundreds of millions of engines that are there ...

Dec 2007
Estimating the environmentally compatible bioenergy potential from agriculture

In 2005/2006 the European Environment Agency carried out a modelling exercise to estimate the bioenergy potential in the agriculture, forest and waste sectors that could be considered 'environmentally compatible' (EEA, 2006b).  It supplements the technical ...

Dec 2007
Biofuels trade and sustainable development: the case of Pakistan

The preamble provides both a backdrop and a context for this study. Essentially a scoping exercise, the objectives of this study are to:a) assess the production potential of energy crops in Pakistan;b) evaluate the foreign ...

Dec 2007
Renewables 2007 – Global status report - A pre-publication summary for the UNFCCC COP13

The REN21 Renewables Global Status Report is produced by the Worldwatch Institute and sponsored by the German government.The number and regional spread of countries deploying renewable energy has grown significantly since 1997. For example, over ...

Dec 2007
World biofuels assessment - Worldwide biomass potential: technology characterizations

A joint EERE-PI project was completed to estimate the worldwide potential to produce and transport ethanol and other biofuels, with an emphasis on the 5 year and 10 year potential for biofuels supply to the ...

Dec 2007
Biofuel thematic paper – Biofuel potential

The potential for biofuel production/usage is assessed in this study.The assessments cover mainly the EU, the U.S., China, Brazil, Denmark with references also to the remaining parts of the world; they are focused on the ...

Nov 2007
Sustainable biodiesel feedstock. Jatropha: a strategic option

This position paper by KnowGenix, in line with JatrophaWorld 2008, discusses the sustainability of non-food crops such as Jatropha against the backdrop of current biofuel policies and initiatives in developing regions. It looks at the ...

Nov 2007
Energy and fuelwood

Woody biomass is widely utilised as feedstock for heat, electricity and cogeneration plants. In future it could also be sought by developers of biofuel processing plants, biorefineries and hydrogen production plants, but will compete with ...

Nov 2007
The Swan labelling of fuel - Background document on the ecolabelling of fuel

This document provides background for the requirements proposed by Nordic Ecolabelling in its Consultation Document.The document discusses Nordic Ecolabelling’s motives in developing criteria for the ecolabelling of fuels. It also provides a general introduction to ...

Nov 2007
Swan labelling of fuel

In a life cycle perspective, a Swan-labelled fuel generates lower emissions of greenhouse gases. Moreover, compared with conventional fossil fuels, a Swan-labelled fuel does not cause to an increased risk of cancer or increased energy ...

Nov 2007
Life-cycle assessment of corn-based butanol as a potential transportation fuel

Since 1995, with support primarily from the United States’ DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Argonne has been developing the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model. Argonne released ...

Nov 2007
Biofuels: strategic choices for commodity dependent developing countries

The biofuels industry got underway on a large scale in the early 1970s, within the PROALCOOL Programme in Brazil. But it is only in the last five years that biofuels have started to be taken ...

Nov 2007
The future of biofuels - A global perspective

Unlike previous high-price periods, the current oil market is driven by strong demand-side factors. These factors include robust economic growth and rising oil demand from rapidly growing middle-income economies, where consumers are demanding a higher ...

Nov 2007
A review of the current state of bioenergy development in G8 +5 Countries

This report is part of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP)’s ongoing efforts to monitor the status of bioenergy development in member countries and create a basis for future discussion of sustainability criteria and possible guidelines ...

Nov 2007
Empowering rural communities by planting energy - Roundtable on bioenergy enterprise in developing regions

Competition for other land uses, such as production of food or other crops that are being produced already, needs to be factored in at the beginning of the decision making process. Furthermore, from a variety ...

Oct 2007
Are biofuels renewable energy sources?

The objective of this study is to discuss biofuels renewability in a quantitative point of view. A comprehensive review of the energy balance literature and emergy assessment of biofuels production were carried out at the ...

Oct 2007
Biomass, food & sustainability: is there a dilemma?

In January 2007, thousands of demonstrators marched through Mexico City in protest at a rise in the price of the maize flour used for tortillas. Many believed the higher price was caused by American demand ...

Oct 2007
Biofuels: is the cure worse than the disease?

This document was prepared at the initiative of the Chair of the Round Table on Sustainable Development at the OECDBiofuels have been championed as an energy source that can increase security of supply, reduce vehicle ...

Sep 2007
Biodiesel, renewable diesel and co-processed renewable diesel

This is document containing a brief information about differences between biodiesel, renewable diesel and coprocessed renewable diesel. These terms and definitions are often very confusing. It also focuses on the US policy that addresses the ...

Sep 2007
Bioenergy and the sustainability transition: from local resource to global commodity

The looming threat of climate change and the invaluable role of energy in development have complicated the global transition to sustainable energy while also increasing the urgency of the transition. Bioenergy has a key role ...

Aug 2007
Biodiesel from algae oil

Currently most research into efficient algal oil production is being done in the private sector, but if predictions from small scale production experiments bear out then using algae to produce biodiesel may be the only ...

Jul 2007
IEA Bioenergy Annual Report 2006

Renewable energy is of growing importance in responding to concerns over the environment and security of energy supply. Biomass is unique in providing the only renewable source of fixed carbon, which is an essential ingredient ...

Jul 2007
Biofuels - Technology status and future trends, technology assessment and decision support tools

One of the key issues of sustainable industrial development is the conversion from fossil feedstocks to renewable feedstocks in various sectors such as energy production, fuel production, chemical and related industries.The present publication provides a ...

Jun 2007
Agroenergy and biofuels atlas of the Americas - Ethanol

This volume presents information about the current state of and outlook for ethanol production in several countries of the Americas.The agricultural sector has great potential as a supplier of feedstock for generating energy, including the ...

Jun 2007
Biofuels, agriculture and poverty reduction

This paper addresses the role of biofuels in development and poverty reduction. For example, it has been argued that:energy crops are beginning a green revolution in Brazil;a bioproduct-based agro-revolution can offer a new development paradigm;biofuels ...

Jun 2007
Biofuel annual report - China

China views biofuels as an essential and strategic component of a secure economy and diversified energy policy. To ensure development of biofuels, the central government takes an active role in regulating both the supply and ...

Jun 2007
Measures for the promotion of biodiesel

PREMIA (June 2004 – May 2007) is a project funded by the European Commission through the Sixth Framework Programme. PREMIA aims at supporting the European Commission’s ongoing work on alternative fuels. It provides input into ...

May 2007
R&D, demonstration and incentive programmes effectiveness to facilitate and secure market introduction of alternative motor fuels

The PREMIA project aims at supporting the European Commission's on-going work on alternative fuels. It provides input into the revision of the biofuels directive and discusses long-term, cost effective policy framework to support the market ...

May 2007
R&D, demonstration and incentive programmes effectiveness to facilitate and secure market introduction of alternative motor fuels

PREMIA is a Specific Support Action within the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission which aims at assessing the effectiveness of measures to support the market introduction of alternative motor fuels, taking into account ...

May 2007
UK biomass strategy

This strategy brings together current government policies on biomass for industry, energy and transport and provides a framework for the development of biomass as a whole. It recognises that the EU and wider international policies ...

May 2007
Small-scale production and use of liquid biofuels in Sub-Saharan Africa: perspectives for sustainable development

This background paper focuses on the impact of biofuels for small-scale development and use by households, farmers, communities, etc. Its emphasis is on the sustainable development of biofuels to increase modern energy access to these ...

Apr 2007
A blueprint for green energy in the Americas - Strategic analysis of opportunities for Brazil and the hemisphere

While not a panacea, biofuels represent one important choice in an increasing array of energy options. They have a significant role to play in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport, developing rural economies, ...

Apr 2007
Analysing our energy future - Some pointers for policy-makers

Policy-makers increasingly rely on prospective studies to support their efforts to set policy goals and identify the most appropriate measures to achieve them. The United Nations Environment Programme and the International Energy Agency advocate this ...

Apr 2007
Consequences, opportunities and challenges of modern biotechnology for Europe

The Commission assigned the “Biotechnology for Europe” (Bio4EU) study to its Joint Research Centre, where the study was carried out by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS). It focused on current applications of modern ...

Apr 2007
The biorefinery concept – ExCo59 meeting summary

The biorefinery concept is critical to the development and integration of bioenergy into the world economy. However, a clear implementation path is needed. This includes R&D in critical technology areas, technology scale-up and pilot plants, ...

Apr 2007
Pro-poor biofuels outlook for Asia and Africa: ICRISAT’s perspective – A working paper

The topic of biofuels has drawn increased interest worldwide in the wake of steeply-climbing fossil fuel prices in 2005-06. In late 2006/early 2007 prices began to subside, but are unlikely to return to their former ...

Mar 2007
Well-to-wheels analysis of future automotive fuels and powertrains in the European context

EUCAR, CONCAWE and JRC (the Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission) have updated their joint evaluation of the Well-to-Wheels energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for a wide range of potential future fuel ...

Mar 2007
Production and use of fuel ethanol in Brazil - Answers to the most frequently asked questions

The production and use of fuel ethanol in Brazil since 1975 represent one of the most important renewable, commercial fuel program implemented in the world to date. This currently recognized success, combined with the increasing ...

Mar 2007
Biofuel technology handbook

The scope of this handbook is to inform politicians, decision makers, biofuel producers and traders and other relevant stakeholders about the state-of-the-art of biofuels and related technologies. Thereby, the large variety of feedstock sources, conversion ...

Feb 2007
Biofuel potential in Guyana

Guyana depends on imported fuels to meet the needs of its transport sector. In recent years, prices of derivatives of petroleum have increased significantly, further widening the current account deficit. In 2005, fuel accounted for ...

Feb 2007
Bioenergy: facts and figures

This document issued by the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Secretariat illustrates “the basics” of bioenergy.GBEP is committed to promoting bioenergy for sustainable development. Bioenergy is a sustainable energy source only if its entire production chain ...

Jan 2007
IEA Energy Technology Essentials – Biofuel production

The IEA Energy Technology Essentials are regularly-updated briefs that draw together the best-available, consolidated information on energy technologies from the IEA network. It offers concise four-page updates on the different technologies for producing, transporting and ...

Jan 2007
Energy revolution - A sustainable world energy outlook

The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and Greenpeace International have produced this global energy scenario as a practical blueprint for how to urgently meet CO2 reduction targets and secure affordable energy supply on the basis ...

Jan 2007
International bioenergy trade - Scenario study on international biomass market in 2020

This research was carried out between December 2004 and December 2007 as a part of the group project “The EU’s forest energy resources, market of energy technology and international bioenergy trade” coordinated by the Finnish ...

Jan 2007
Good practice guidelines

Modern biomass, and the resulting useful forms of bioenergy produced from it, are anticipated by many advocates to provide a significant contribution to the global primary energy supply of many IEA member countries during the ...

Jan 2007
Biomass – A sleeping giant?

Biomass is currently attracting a great deal of interest – although the debate also has its controversial aspects. Biomass is considered to be a very promising option for several reasons: to secure raw material supplies ...

Jan 2007
The ethanol fact book - A compilation of information about fuel ethanol

The Clean Fuels Development Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of alternative fuels and technologies to improve air quality and reduce dependence on imported oil. The broad CFDC membership includes ethanol producers, ...

Jan 2007
Science and technology options for harnessing bioenergy’s potential

Much of the technology development for bioenergy to date has been geared toward competing with cheap fossil fuels.Bioenergy technologies have focused on reducing the cost per unit of energy produced, often exclusively by exploiting very ...

Dec 2006
Potential of carbon payments for bioenergy

Agriculture around the world is already mitigating climate change through the increased growing of crops and trees. But much more can be done to bring agriculture into the center of climate change mitigation and to ...

Dec 2006
Developing bioenergy: economic and social issues

Modern biomass energy services have the potential to make a significant contribution to a new energy paradigm. The world currently consumes about 400 EJ (exajoules) of energy per year but generates the equivalent of about ...

Dec 2006
Brazil’s experience with bioenergy

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of ethanol, a biofuel used mainly in automobiles as an additive or alternative to gasoline. In the mid-1970s the country undertook a major program to produce ethanol, and since ...

Dec 2006
Biofuels and the global food balance

Rising world fuel prices, the growing demand for energy, and concerns about global warming are the key factors driving the increasing interest in renewable energy sources, and in biofuels in particular. But some policymakers and ...

Dec 2006
Bioenergy and the poor

Biomass is a primary source of energy for close to 2.4 billion people in developing countries. Easily available to many of the world’s poor, biomass provides vital and affordable energy for cooking and space heating. ...

Dec 2006
Bioenergy and agriculture: promises and challenges

This document contains an overview of main promises and challenges of bioenergy that in recent years has drawn attention as a sustainable energy source that may help cope with rising energy prices, address environmental concerns ...

Dec 2006
Bioenergy and agricultural research for development

R. Ortiz, J. H. Crouch, M. Iwanaga, K. Sayre, M. Warburton, J. L. Araus, J. Dixon, M. Bohn, B. V. S. Reddy, S. Ramesh, S. P. WaniConverting agriculture to produce energy as well as food ...

Dec 2006
The EU strategy on biofuels: from field to fuel

This report considers whether the EU Biofuels Directive is proving effective as a means of increasing the biofuels content of road transport energy.Development of biofuels in the EU can both reduce carbon dioxide emissions and ...

Nov 2006
Biofuel production from plant biomass derived sugars

Ethanol costs could be significantly reduced if cheap plant biomass-based feedstocks could be utilised. Significant efforts are being undertaken in North America and the EU to develop cost effective technology for the hydrolysis of biomass ...

Oct 2006
Constraints in jatropha cultivation perceived by farmers in Udaipur district, Rajasthan

In India, 16% of the world’s population struggles to survive on 2.4% of the planet’s land mass. The pressure of this intense land utilization is causing more and more forest and agricultural land to deteriorate ...

Oct 2006
Biomass (Issue Brief - Energy and climate)

Both the agricultural and forestry sectors, the suppliers of biomass, would be affected by the extra demand for biomass and biofuels as projected by the IEA. Potential outcomes of this additional biomass demand are:- Supplementary ...

Oct 2006
Biomass for food or fuel: Is there a dilemma?

After centuries of daily struggle for food, it takes our breath away that today a farmer is able to single-handedly cultivate hundreds of hectares to produce sufficient food to feed thousands of families at the ...

Sep 2006
Biofuels production, trade and sustainable development: emerging issues

This paper seeks to provide a preliminary identification of the main sustainable development issues involved in the debate around production and trade in biofuels.The paper is organised as follows.Chapter 2 provides a brief description of ...

Sep 2006
Biofuels as a future source of energy for women in rural settlements in South Africa

Gender issues continue to play a vital role in the development of policy for energy. Energy poverty creates a set of social problems that impact on the home and its occupants, with differing degrees depending ...

Aug 2006
A look at Africa's biofuels potential

Now that African states have decided to create a "Green OPEC", it is time to look at the biofuels and bioenergy potential of the continent as a whole. Assessing and projecting this biomass energy potential ...

Jul 2006
Thermodynamics of the corn-ethanol biofuel cycle

In this paper the author defines sustainability, sustainable cyclic processes, and quantifies the degree of non-renewability of a major biofuel: ethanol produced from industrially-grown corn.First, he demonstrates that more fossil energy is used to produce ...

Jul 2006
The real biofuel cycles

This paper analyzes energy efficiency of the industrial corn-ethanol cycle and brackets energy efficiency of the switchgrass-cellulosic ethanol cycle. In particular, it critically reviews the Report by Farrell et al., Ethanol Can Contribute to Energy ...

Jul 2006
Bioenergy in Europe. Opportunities and barriers

The aim of this publication is to give a comprehensive overview of the opportunities for and barriers to bioenergy development in Europe. The study carried out within the Bioenergy Network of Excellence “Overcoming Barriers to ...

Jun 2006
Promotion and use of biofuels in the United Kingdom - UK report to European Commission under Article 4 of the Biofuels Directive

This report fulfils the UK’s obligation to the report to the European Commission by 1 July 2006 on the effectiveness of UK Government support for biofuels during the calendar year 2005, as required by Article ...

Jun 2006
Renewable energy sources in figures - national and international development

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment agreed to set up a Working Group on Renewable Energies/Statistics (AGEE-Stat) with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer ...

May 2006
Handbook on jatropha curcas

Jatropha Curcas has the advantage that not only is it capable of growing on marginal land, but it can also help to reclaim problematic lands and restore eroded areas. As it is not a food ...

Mar 2006
Transition towards Jatropha biofuels in Tanzania?

This thesis is written for the fulfillment of the Master Innovation Sciences, Technology and Policy for Developing Economies at the Eindhoven University of Technology. For this thesis I conducted a field study of three months ...

Mar 2006
Bioenergy trade and regional development: the case of bioethanol in Southern Africa

This paper analyses the prospects for international bioenergy trade within the context of regional integration and sustainable development in the region of southern Africa, focusing on the particular case of bioethanol made from sugar cane ...

Mar 2006
An EU strategy for biofuels

In the EU, transport is responsible for an estimated 21% of all greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to global warming, and the percentage is rising. In order to meet sustainability goals, in particular the ...

Feb 2006
Transport-related hydrogen activities in Asia

This report entails a summary of transport-related hydrogen activities in Asia, with particular reference to the following countries: Japan, China, South-Korea, Singapore and Australia.The overall scheme of each case study is to seek information of ...

Feb 2006
Agricultural market impacts of future growth in the production of biofuels

The main objective of this study is to determine what impact future biofuel developments can have on agricultural commodity markets through a quantitative assessment of several scenarios based on the use of an agricultural trade ...

Feb 2006
The hydrogen economy - A non-technical review

There is a growing belief among policy-makers, environmental organisations, energy analysts and industry leaders that hydrogen is the fuel of the future that will revolutionise the way we produce and use energy. In the long ...

Jan 2006
Comparison of transport fuels - Final report (EV45A/2/F3C) to the Australian greenhouse office on the stage 2 study of life-cycle emissions analysis of alternative fuels for heavy vehicles

This report responds to a brief from the Australian Greenhouse Office to undertake:a comparison of road transport fuel emissions through a full fuel-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and emissions affecting air quality; and for ...

Jan 2006
Running vehicles successfully on biodiesel - Product quality requirements for FAME

Within the space of a decade, bio-diesel has turned from a virtually unknown product into a significant fuel on the market. Germany’s bio-diesel turnover accounted for just 45,000 t in 1995, but had risen to ...

Jan 2006
The emerging biofuels market: regulatory, trade and development implications

The era of "easy" energy is over. Governments, intergovernmental organizations, corporations, NGOs and even individuals are asking themselves a number of questions that are crucial for the sustainable development prospects of all countries. How do ...

Jan 2006
Renewables – Global status report 2006 update

REN21 is a global policy network in which ideas are shared and action is encouraged to promote renewable energy. It provides a forum for leadership and exchange in international policy processes. It bolsters appropriate policies ...

Jan 2006
The promises and challenges of biofuels for the poor in developing countries

In the past several years the changing world energy situation has generated intensive discussion about biofuels, much of it a promising source of environment-friendly energy that would also be a boon to the world’s farmers. ...

Jan 2006
Energy crops: current status and future prospects

Energy crops currently contribute a relatively small proportion to the total energy produced from biomass each year, but the proportion is set to grow over the next few decades. This paper reviews the current status ...

Jan 2006
World energy technology outlook – WETO H2

As the age of cheap energy resources comes to its end, strong political commitment is needed to preserve European competitiveness and to combat climate change. The WETO-H2 report (World Energy Technology Outlook-2050) places the European ...

Jan 2006
Towards a Southern African NGO position on biofuels (brochure)

Southern Africa is a region of great poverty interspersed with pockets of wealth. The South African economy is one of those pockets but contained within the nation are millions of people living without access to ...

Jan 2006
EU Biomass action plan

This action plan, issued at the end of 2005 by the European Commission, sets out measures to increase the development of biomass energy from wood, wastes and agricultural crops by creating market-based incentives to its ...

Dec 2005
Pathways to 2050: energy & climate change

The WBCSD continues to illustrate the challenges associated with one particular trajectory, consistent with the discussion already presented in Facts and Trends. This document therefore looks closely at the changes needed to start stabilizing CO2 ...

Nov 2005
Updated energy and greenhouse gas emission results of fuel ethanol

Energy and environmental effects of using fuel ethanol in the U.S. have been debated since the inception of the fuel ethanol program in 1980. Over the past 25 years, more than 20 studies have been ...

Sep 2005
Liquid biofuels for transportation in Tanzania

Tanzania relies exclusively on imports for its oil needs. The value of Tanzania’s import increased from US $ 1,661.4 mio. in 2002 to US $ 2,145.3 mio. in 2003. This is largely attributed to an ...

Aug 2005
Climate change and technology

This paper examines how a global climate regime for post-2012 could more effectively promote the development, deployment and diffusion (DD&D) of appropriate technologies.Technology is expected to play a critical role in the mitigation of and ...

Aug 2005
USDA’s 2002 ethanol cost-of-production survey

Ethanol is a clean renewable gasoline additive produced from domestically grown feedstocks such as corn, sorghum, barley, and wheat. In 1980 to 2004, the ethanol industry and its role expanded significantly. Ethanol production capacity increased ...

Jul 2005
An assessment of biomass feedstock and conversion research opportunities

This report is one of a series of assessments on various areas of the energy landscape prepared by GCEP staff. The assessments are intended to provide an introduction to the energy area as well as ...

May 2005
Advancing bioenergy for sustainable development - Guideline for policymakers and investors (Joint UNDP/World Bank)

This report is part of Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP)’s work programme on the development of renewable energy resources.It provides a broad review of the issues that a policymaker or project developer may face ...

Apr 2005
Guidelines for growing grain legumes in Europe

AEP, the European Association for Grain Legume Research, is a European-based but internationally-active network of scientists and end-users concerned with grain legumes (peas, faba beans, lupins, chickpeas, lentils, Phaseolus beans, etc.).Legume seeds are rich in ...

Mar 2005
Jatropha Curcas L.: an international botanical answer to biodiesel production and renewable energy

This report was prepared by DOVE BIOTECH LTD. in order to describe Jatropha curcas l and it different uses. It presents a botanical description and refers to cases in different places in the world which ...

Mar 2005
Bankable Energy Efficiency Projects (BEEP) - Experiences in Central and Eastern European Countries

The brochure builds on the results and experiences of the EU-funded scheme “Bankable Energy Efficiency Projects (BEEP)”, which was implemented during the period from January 2003 through December 2004.The BEEP scheme was designed to develop ...

Jan 2005
Bio-energy in Europe: changing technology choices

Bio-energy is seen as one of the key options to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and substitute fossil fuels. This is certainly evident in Europe, where a kaleidoscope of activities and programs was and is executed ...

Dec 2004
Unified bioenergy terminology

This paper examines and reviews currently used terminology and definitions for woodfuels and other biofuels used in FAO, and in other major databases on biomass-based energy sources. It also proposes ways to improve the methodology ...

Dec 2004
Bioenergy. New growth for Germany

Renewable energies are good for the climate – that’s why the German Government wants to double their use by 2010, compared with 2000: for electricity, to 12.5%, and to 4% of its primary energy. More ...

Dec 2004
Techno-economic assessment of biofuel production in the European Union

In regard to the short and middle term options, biofuels seem to have an important role in the European Union with increasing production levels during the last years. Moreover, at the end of 2003, a ...

Aug 2004
Review on biodiesel standardization world-wide

IEA Bioenergy, an international collaboration in Bioenergy, aims to accelerate the use of environmentally sound and cost-competitive bioenergy on a sustainable basis, and thereby achieve a substantial contribution to future energy demands.The main objectives of ...

May 2004
Biofuel for transport

While biofuels production costs are fairly easy to measure, the benefits are difficult to quantify. But this does not necessarily mean that the benefits are not substantial. Increasing the use of biofuels can improve energy ...

Apr 2004
Genetically modified crops - A decade of failure [1994 - 2004]

Friends of the Earth International, in collaboration with other organizations and local communities, has been a leading force against the release of GM crops. Friends of the Earth groups in countries as far flung as ...

Feb 2004
Fuel-cycle energy and emission impacts of ethanol-diesel blends in urban buses and farming tractors

Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the fuel-cycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission effects of ethanol-gasoline blends relative to those of gasoline for applications in spark- ignition engine vehicles. Those studies did not ...

Jul 2003
Cost of biodiesel production

The primary influences on the cost of manufacture of biodiesel are as follows:• Capital and operating costs of the plant, including the processing plant, services, catalyst, feedstock and product storage, and buildings.• Feedstock used in ...

May 2003
Technical statement on the use of biodiesel fuel in compression ignition engines

The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) is an international membership organization representing the interests of manufacturers of internal combustion engines.In 1995, EMA published a “Statement on the Use of Biodiesel Fuels for Mobile Applications.” Since that ...

Feb 2003
Biodiesel emissions

According with the U.S. National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel is the first and only alternative fuel to have a complete evaluation of emission results and potential health effects submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ...

Jan 2003
Comparison of biodiesel with different diesel fuels regarding exhaust gas emissions and health effects

Two years ago, results of a study carried out at Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden, were intensively discussed in the public. In this study the authors – belonging to the group of Olsson – claimed that ...

Jan 2003
The controlled eutrophication process: using microalgae for CO2 utilization and agricultural fertilizer recycling

In 1960, Oswald and Golueke presented a conceptual techno-economic analysis, "The Biological Transformation of Solar Energy", proposing the use of large-scale raceway ponds to cultivate microalgal on wastewater nutrients and then to anaerobically ferment the ...

Aug 2002
The energy balance of corn ethanol: an update

Ethanol production in the United States grew from just a few million gallons in the mid-1970s to over 1.7 billion gallons in 2001, spurred by national energy security concerns, new Federal gasoline standards, and government ...

Jul 2002
Modelling the transition to a biofuel economy in Australia

In the international and Australian context there are two biomass based liquid transportation fuels that might replace petrol and diesel. These are ethanol and methanol although bio-diesel is also a well-developed technology. Ethanol is viewed ...

Apr 2000
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