With the lessening supply and increasing price of oil and gas, alternative sources of energy find their way into the global market. Among these alternative energy sources is the biofuel.
Biofuels are fuels extracted from plants and crops, most commonly from corn and sugar. However, biofuel source is not limited to these as sometimes it is extracted from animal fats or recycled greases. Bioethanol, or simply ethanol, and biodiesel are the most common of these biofuels.
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Image source: conserve-energy-future.com
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By simply looking at its definition, you would know why biofuel starts to become an important alternative source of energy today.
The price of crude oil soars every day, considering that this type of energy source is limited. Although the supply of crude oil is still far from reaching its end, it does not remove the fact that it will come to an end. For this reason, biofuels are making a name in the energy industry. Biofuels are renewable and sustainable since it is extracted from plants and crops, which can be readily produced when needed. Unlike fossil fuels, plants and crops can be replanted again and again.
Another benefit the planet receives when people use biofuels is its potential to reduce greenhouse gases. On the one hand, fossil fuels, when burnt, releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases that trap sunlight and cause global warming. On the other hand, studies show that biofuels reduce greenhouse gases up to 65 percent. Although the production of biofuels creates carbon dioxide as a byproduct, this same carbon dioxide will serve as food for the same plants where biofuel is extracted. This makes it something close to a self-sustaining system.
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Janique Goff supports eco-friendly business startups including those that develop renewable energy sources such as biofuels. Learn more about renewable energy sources here.
