Can Biological Fuels Replace Fossil Fuels? - A Critical Thinking

Abstract:

Biological fuels have triggered the heated controversy in recent years. This paper critically examined the potentials of biological fuels through the lens of Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDP). Although MCA framework may possess the capability in making the right decision on land diversion to handle the intensifying competition for land between biofuels and food production, it is difficult to reach a balance among sufficient biofuels supply, biodiversity conservation and social equity from the perspective of ICDP. Despite biofuels could not totally displace fossil fuels in the near future, there might still be some possible policy designs that can help realizing the smooth transition to the biofuels era.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 953-954)
• Pages: 151-157
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.953-954.151
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Lin Zi Li*, Ze Qiang Fu
• Keywords: Biological Fuels, Fossil Fuels, ICDP, MCA

References

[1] P. Dauvergne and K. J. Neville: Forests, food, and fuel in the tropics: the uneven social and ecological consequences of the emerging political economy of biofuels, Journal of Peasant Studies, Vol. 37, No. 4 (2010), pp.631-660.

DOI: 10.1080/03066150.2010.512451

[2] U. Chakravortty, M.H. Hubert and L. Nostbakken: Fuel versus Food, Annual Review of Resource Economics, Vol. 1 (2009), pp.645-663.

[3] M. Giampietro, S. Ulgiati and D. Pimentel: Feasibility of large-scale biofuel production, BioScience, Vol. 47, No. 9 (1997), pp.587-600.

DOI: 10.2307/1313165

[4] M. Altieri: The ecological impacts of large-scale agrofuel monoculture production system in the Americas, Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, Vol. 29 (2009), pp.236-244.

DOI: 10.1177/0270467609333728

[5] T. Searchinger et al.: Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land Use Change, Sciencexpress, www. sciencexpress. org (2008).

DOI: 10.1126/science.1151861

[6] L.D. Gomez, C.G. Steele-King and S.J. McQueen-Mason: Sustainable liquid biofuels from biomass: the writing's on the walls, New Phytologist, Tansley review (2008), pp.473-485.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02422.x

[7] D. Tilman et al.: Beneficial Biofuels -- The Food, Energy, and Environment Trilemma, Science, Vol. 325 (2009), pp.270-271. www. sciencemag. org.

[8] J. Sills: Biofuels: Social Benefits, Science, Vol. 326 (2010), p.1344. www. sciencemag. org.

[9] Associated Press (AP): White House defends food-based biofuels: administration backing decision as food costs rise at home and abroad. MSNBC - Politics, 19 May (2008). http: /www. msnbc. msn. com/id/24715112.

[10] A. Chakrabortty: Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis – Internal World Bank study delivers blow to plant energy drive (2008). http: /www. guardian. co. uk/environment/2008/jul/03/biofuels. renewableenergy.

[11] J.P.W. Scharlemann and W.F. Laurance: How green are biofuels? Science, Vol. 319 (2008), pp.43-44.

[12] P. Tenerelli and S. Carver: Multi-criteria, multi-objective and uncertainty analysis for agro-energy spatial modeling, Applied Geography, Vol. 32, No. 2 (2012), pp.724-736.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2011.08.013

[13] C. Sherrington, J. Bartley, and D. Moran: Farm level constraints on the domestic supply of perennial energy crops in the UK, Energy Policy, Vol. 36 (2008), p.2504– 2512.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2008.03.004

[14] A. A. Lovett: Land Use Implication of Increased Biomass Production Identified by GIS-Based Suitability and Yield Mapping for Miscanthus in England, Bioenergy, Res. 2 (2009), pp.17-28.

DOI: 10.1007/s12155-008-9030-x

[15] B.M. Smyth, H. Smyth and J. D. Murphy: Determining the regional potential for a grass biomethane industry, Applied Energy, Vol. 88 (2011), p.2037-(2049).

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.12.069

[16] J.R.S. Cristobal: Multi-criteria decision- making in the selection of a renewable energy project in spain, The Vikor method. Renewable Energy, Vol. 36 (2011), pp.498-502.

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.07.031

[17] ODI: Biofuels: Could the South benefit? Overseas Development Institute, Briefling Paper, March (2009).

[18] Koh, L. P. & D. S. Wilcove, 2008. Is oil palm agriculture really destroying tropical biodiversity? Conservation Letters: 1-5.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263x.2008.00011.x

[19] H.J. Sergeant: Oil Palm Agriculture in the Wetlands of Sumatra: Destruction of Development? European Union Ministry of Forestry, Brussels (2001).

[20] H.J. Sargeant: Vegetation fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, Oil palm agriculture in the wetlands of Sumatra: Destruction or development? European Union and Ministry of Forestry, Jakarta, Indonesia (2001).